Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen will release her brand new metal album, "Frisson Noir", on June 12 via earMUSIC.
The LP is described in a press release as " the heaviest record of her career and a powerful statement of identity, strength and belonging"." Speaking about the album's first single, "At Sea", which was made available in March, Tarja said in the video below: "'At Sea', the song is about uncertainty or facing uncertainty with fear but determination.
I wrote the song thinking about the ocean itself.
I'm an ocean soul.
I've always kind of feared the sea, but on the other side, on the other hand, I'm a scuba diver and I love what's underneath the surface.
It's been a huge inspiration for me.
But I fear, but still I go.'" "So this is the thing in life, when you accept that the journey has made you who you are," Tarja explained.
"You take that journey and understand that the journey is part of you.
You create the journey.
You leave the shore behind uncertainty.
You leave the shore that was all fine and beautiful and maybe certain and normal and calm, but then you go to the stormy sea without knowing what is there for you.
But you wanna see if you are capable of facing the storm — like in life."" The album reflects Tarja's ongoing dialogue between cinematic orchestration, classical heritage, and the power and intensity of contemporary metal.
The LP moves between intimate piano passages, dramatic orchestral textures, and powerful, guitar-driven moments.
At the center of the soundscape is Tarja's distinctive voice, moving effortlessly between fragile emotional expression and operatic power.
Around it, orchestral arrangements, choirs, and layered instrumentation create a cinematic world that constantly shifts between darkness and light, exploring deeply human themes such as fear, beauty, nostalgia, resilience, defiance, transformation, identity, disappearance, independence, trust, and perseverance.
Across 10 tracks, Tarja delivers intensity, emotion, and strength, joined by special guest Dani Filth (CRADLE OF FILTH),APOCALYPTICA, Marko Hietala (ex-NIGHTWISH) and Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS).
Mixed by Grammy-winning producer Neal Avron (LINKIN PARK, SKILLET, DISTURBED), the album blends a modern, hard-hitting sound with the dramatic and emotional elements that define Tarja's unmistakable metal identity.
The album will be available in retail as CD digipak, black 2LP gatefold and limited purple 2LP gatefold.
The first pressing of all formats is finished with high-quality copper foil and logo embossing.
Further exclusive formats as signed editions and a strictly limited collectors box set (including black 2LP gatefold (180g) with 24-page vinyl size booklet of illustrations, photographs, and lyrics, CD Digipak with 28-page booklet, box set exclusive 7" vinyl single with "I Don't Care (Tarja Solo Version)" and "I Don't Care (Dani Mix)", four box set exclusive animal print postcards, box set exclusive DIN A2 "Frisson Noir" poster and a fine art print signed by Tarja will be available in the official album store.
Kicking off the album, the first single, "At Sea", is out today.
The song embodies the core idea behind " "Frisson Noir"" — the physical reaction that music can provoke, the shiver that runs through the body when sound, emotion, and performance align in a real moment.
With " "At Sea"", Tarja captures that moment, reminding listeners what happens when sound, emotion, and human performance collide.
The track combines Tarja's voice with live musicians, orchestral arrangements, and choir performances recorded in Budapest with the Budapest Art Orchestra and Budapest Art Choir, conducted by Gyorgy Gulyas Nagy.
Following the release, Tarja will embark on the international " Frisson" live tour 2026, launching September 30, 2026 in Berlin.
Further dates to be announced.