Former Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen has unveiled the official music video for her new song “The Trace Outlives“. The track, featuring guest contributions from shamisen player Sayo Komada, who specializes in both the Tsugaru and Nagauta styles, serves as the third single from Tarja’s forthcoming metal album, Frisson Noir, arriving June 12 through earMUSIC. In an earlier press release, the LP was described as the “heaviest record of her career” and a powerful statement of identity, strength and belonging.
During a recent interview with Andrew Slaidins on The Rockpit‘s “50 Shades Of Slaids” podcast, Tarja opened up about why this specific moment in her career was the right time to pivot away from her traditional symphonic focus and fully embrace a crushing heavy metal production.
“For some time already I’ve been looking for a really heavy sound for my albums. I’ve been producing my records since even my second album on my own and together with my husband, and we are working, we are a team. We’ve been working together for a long, long time. And the thing is that my knowledge when it comes to music, my first love in music was in classical music. I started studying it when I was six years old. I went for classical singing later on, and that was my first love in music and the knowledge that I have of studying so super many years about classical music. So the orchestral, symphonic part in my compositions or in music of mine today is where is my biggest knowledge. But when it comes to heavy metal, the sound of a band, I reach that heaviness in my live shows. My band always sounds super heavy on the live shows, and I love it. I always, always loved it. That power, it’s supporting my big voice. But I haven’t been able to kind of reach it for my album productions, and this is the thing that I was really kind of missing,” she explained.
To finally bridge the gap between her massive live sound and her studio recordings, Tarja actively sought out acclaimed mixing engineer Neal Avron. She credited the veteran producer with helping her capture the aggressive instrumental tone she had been chasing for years.
And so intentionally, I really wanted to work with a person, the mixing engineer, Neal Avron, for this record that could make a change in that and help me out. And we had really beautiful conversations with him, and really it was such a pleasure to work with Neal on this album, because, yes, it really now sounds heavy. And it’s a result for me that I’m really happy with,” she concluded.
Frisson Noir explores the ongoing dialogue between cinematic orchestration, classical heritage, and the raw intensity of contemporary metal. The 10-track collection shifts dynamically between intimate piano passages, dramatic orchestral textures, and powerful, guitar-driven moments. At the center of the expansive soundscape is Tarja‘s distinctive voice, effortlessly oscillating between fragile emotional expression and soaring operatic power. The album’s themes delve deeply into human experiences, exploring concepts such as fear, resilience, nostalgia, identity, and transformation.
The album features a star-studded lineup of guest musicians, including Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth, the cello-metal group Apocalyptica, former Nightwish bandmate Marko Hietala, and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The record was mixed by Grammy-winning producer Neal Avron (known for his work with Linkin Park, Skillet, and Disturbed), ensuring a modern, hard-hitting sonic profile that perfectly balances her unmistakable metal identity.
Physical editions of the album will be available in retail as a CD Digipak, Black 2LP Gatefold, and a Limited Purple 2LP Gatefold. The first pressings feature high-quality copper foil and logo embossing. A strictly limited Collectors Box Set will also be offered via the official album store, containing an exclusive 7″ vinyl featuring “I Don’t Care (Tarja Solo Version)” and “I Don’t Care (Dani Mix)“, among other premium collectibles.
Frisson Noir Tracklist:
- “Frisson Noir”
- “The Eternal Return”
- “Leap Of Faith” (Feat. Marko Hietala)
- “At Sea” (Feat. Mervi Myllyoja & Niklas Pokki)
- “Blaze Forever”
- “The Trace Outlives” (Feat. Sayo Komada)
- “Tango” (Feat. Apocalyptica)
- “Anemoia” (Feat. Julián Bedmar & Valter Freitas)
- “I Don’t Care” (Feat. Dani Filth)
- “Against The Odds” (Feat. Chad Smith)
Following the release of the album, Tarja will embark on the “International Frisson Live Tour 2026.”
Tarja 2026 European Tour Dates:
- 9/30 — Berlin, Germany — Huxleys Neue Welt
- 10/1 — Hamburg, Germany — Markthalle
- 10/2 — Rostock, Germany — M.A.U. Club
- 10/4 — Dresden, Germany — Parkhotel Ballsaal
- 10/5 — Jena, Germany — F-Haus
- 10/6 — Munich, Germany — Backstage Werk
- 10/8 — Innsbruck, Austria — Music Hall
- 10/9 — Pratteln, Switzerland — Z7
- 10/11 — Lindau, Germany — Club Vaudeville
- 10/12 — Cologne, Germany — Essigfabrik
- 10/13 — Frankfurt, Germany — Batschkapp
- 10/15 — Osnabrück, Germany — Hyde Park
- 10/16 — Gersthofen, Germany — Stadthalle
- 10/17 — Vienna, Austria — Szene
