Six years ago came the first part and now it’s time for TARJAs new live-release “Act II”, which is varied and extensive. Half consists of the latest songs, but is of course mixed with works from her previous albums, as well as a few covers and a NIGHTWISH medley, where she was a founding member. This material, which also includes an acoustic set, is from ”The Shadow Shows”, a Tour in forty different countries, and the recording was made in Teatro della Luna, Milan, Italy on November 29, 2016.
This talented singer and composer is also a great show artist. Her schooled opera voice, along with a fast and melodic style on the guitarists performances, as well as the involvement of both movie- and classical music, gives an epic atmosphere. Welcome to a journey with a touch of magic.
The intro to all of it is like beautiful tones in the background, which is then quickly replaced by a heavier sound. Unfortunately, the opening number “No Bitter End” has some unstable song performance, or perhaps this one does not work live. I’m surprised, since Turunen is such a perfectionist, that she didn’t remove it and instead chosed something else to open with, at least on the disc. But of course, when it’s live it doesn’t have to be totally perfect.
Already on the following "500 Letters" she shows her skills and this composition is brilliant.
Hearing an opera voice on one, or even two CD's, felt a bit too much at first. But apart from the weaker opening number, it's actually really uplifting.
Like track one, at least one more could have been removed, because at the end of the album it feels that it is enough now. Perhaps a little repetition and a little exhausting with a voice stuck in the ears of those who listen. But the artist is good, it can not be denied, and it's a good production.
TARJA knows where to breathe in the right places, and the small micropauses makes the experience sometimes amazing and full of invisible power.
Her crescendo sometimes accelerates along with the drums and she happens to sound like a siren, for better or for worse, as the listener is in risk of getting tired when it becomes too monotonous. But this soprano has both height and depth, strength and captivating low volume. That's why it becomes exciting and the music is fascinating. One is swept with and wants to come along, all the way to the end of this musical story.
The background voices complements the main singing in an excellent way, like all musicians also do.
A nice beat comes from the drums and Kevin Chowns bass pulses in a fetching way.
The big voice makes a nice mix with the electric guitars, and on top of that we have Christian Kretschmars outstanding keyboard playing. I am so impressed by this musician. A big praise to him who, together with TARJA, feels like the red thread, like the overall theme, throughout the album. Kretschmar switches between Adagio and Forte, with strength from time to time, then turning to barely audible, causing you and me to almost hold your breath to curiously listen.
Strings, piano and guitar form beautiful harmonies together.
For instance in "Love To Hate", the piano is strong and Max Lilja on cello helps to build the work nicely. Together with the heavier guitar playing, it's ingenious.
Tunes of classical music and a performance on the opera take over a bit. It may get the usual rock listener to occasionally think it's getting too much. But then again it suddenly turns to a wonderful experience.
It also shifts from arena rock to club music, especially under the acoustic set.
Music styles are mixed and the moods change markedly. In one place you are swept away into a sad but humble calm, other times it sounds hard but rhythmic.
A touch of folkmusic pops up, and at the end even a varité feeling for a moment, turning almost to a jazz club for a short while.
It is sometimes grand as an opera show, and also turns to a darker side with pain, despair and distorted feelings, just like in a nightmare. The music changes often and you still follow in this movie, as you don’t know how it ends.
Here and there are also joy and hope, with the help of, among other things, wonderful piano sounds and the harmony of the voices.
The powerful guitar riffs, which appears here and there, are a very nice contrast to everything else, like the theatrical elements.
On some tracks I imagine headbanging and swaying hair.
With ability to forget everything around you and enter into the world of music, this becomes very interesting.
Nothing to only hear in the background, this is a double record to listen actively to.
This material sounds several times as an intro to a movie or a TV show.
The feeling of James Bond appears more than once. Not only when she performes "Goldfinger", which she does well, but also on another cover, "Supremacy". Very well done of Matthew Bellamy in MUSE for writing this brilliant piece. TARJA makes it even better, it could have been written for her. The guitars sounds really heavy metal, this track grabs the inner part of your body, and it is above all a phenomenal song performance, which is among the best I have ever heard.
Are you ready to join this trip? Leave your fear of loud opera voices and surrender to this never ending story. I promise you a musical experience.
(Anna)
Bewertung:
7,5 / 10
Anzahl der Songs: 10 (CD1) / 10 (CD2)
Spielzeit: 54:42 min (CD1) / 62:52 min (CD2)
Label: EAR Music
Veröffentlichungstermin: 27.07.2018
