The Shadow Self

Description

Brightest Void the prequel and a full album on its own will lead the way and sweeten the wait to the new studio album The Shadow Self in August. Tarjas incredible creative urge and incredible musical output shows on both musical releases which even though being entwined with and inspired by each other can be seen as two independent records which stand on their own. The Brightest Void and The Shadow Self are unpredictable in the best sense of the word and leave you surprised after each and every song. They amaze with their original ideas, heavy guitar riffs, a high class production as well as crystal clear sound both albums were mixed by British producer and audio engineer extraordinaire Tim Palmer in Austin, Texas (Pearl Jam, U2) and of course, Tarjas incredible vocal range. Tarja herself describes both albums as her heaviest to date to which one can only nod and agree. The extra album The Brightest Void is filled with 9 songs and over 50 minutes of brand new music. It features not one but three incredible guest artists: fellow Finnish star Michael Monroe, icon of the glam rock scene and former front man of inspiring band Hanoi Rocks; Chad Smith (who doesnt need a further introduction) and a new mix of Within Temptations collaboration Paradise (What about us) carried out with Tarja renowned sound engineer and producer Tim Palmer. The prequel presents Tarjas first single No Bitter End as the album opener and furthermore shakes you with an incredible cover of Sir Paul McCartneys overlooked gem House Of Wax as well as adding a new twist to Dame Shirley Basseys James Bond main theme hit Goldfinger. Speaking of 007 with an atmospheric, almost cinematic cover of Muses modern classic Supremacy, Tarjas The Shadow Self picks up where The Brightest Void left off. The driving beat and groove of the catchy Innocence sucks you in with its striking chorus and melody whereas the album version of No Bitter End presents an extended almost progressive instrumental part a trait which can be found in more than one song on both albums. Diva on the other hand can be described a darkly folkloristic and theatrical song that heaves you to a gigantic soundscape during the chorus. Demons In You, Tarjas remarkable collaboration with Alissa White-Gluz of melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, brings a surprising edge and heavy element to the record and shows that this is indeed the heaviest album Tarja has ever done whereas the closing song of the album Too Many features an unusual, unexpected sound and once more makes clear to always can expect the unexpected from the most successful Finnish solo artist.