Released By: Ear Music
Release Date: November 17th 2017
Genre: Symphonic/Gothic
Links: tarja-fromspiritsandghosts.com , tarjaturunen.com , Facebook
Tracklist:
01. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
02. Together
03. We Three Kings
04. Deck The Halls
05. Pie Jesu
06. Amazing Grace
07. O Tannenbaum
08. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
09. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. Feliz Navidad
11. What Child Is This
12. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Tarja Turunen will be familiar to most Rock lovers as the first, and in my opinion the best, singer with the Finnish symphonic heavyweights Nightwish. The voice which launched a thousand imitators and has never been bettered. Tarja has had success as a solo artist as well, releasing four superb symphonic rock albums to critical and commercial success and touring the world supporting the likes of Alice Cooper and now as a headliner in her own right.
So what next? A Christmas album obviously. However if you are expecting Jingle Bells and joyous uplifting renditions of Christmas classics you will be in for a very big surprise. This album is atmospheric throughout, hauntingly spellbinding and concentrates on the darker and more sinister sounds of the festive time of year. I was completely captivated by Tarja’s beautiful voice from the very first track and my favorite Christmas carol O Come, O Come Emmanuel. An original song called Together follows and fits perfectly within the sounds of Christmas on this album. I was under Tarja’s spell and certainly feeling the Christmas spirit. Two songs on the album, Pie Jesu and Amazing Grace are not really Christmas tunes however, the rest of the album is an absolute feast for the ears and will put even Ebeneezer Scrooge in the Christmas mood! Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas in Spanish), O Tannenbaum and album closer We Wish You A Merry Christmas are sung absolutely perfectly and gave this reviewer goosebumps!
This is the best festive offering from an artist for a very long time, if not forever. Tarja has perfectly balanced the haunting music (utilizing the sound of a grand orchestra) with the powerful voice she possesses to give the listener both warmth and chills. It is such a shame an album as good as this will only be heard for one month within the year. Time for me to go Christmas shopping!
Written by: Simon Kneller
Rating: 10/10
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