tarja what lies beneath

Released: 06 September 2010 Label: Spinefarm UK

Well, who would have thought it? After a slightly shaky start to her solo career with 2007s My Winter Storm, some were left asking if Tarja could survive without her former buddies in Nightwish. This album answers that question with a resounding yes, she can.

What Lies Beneath is so much better than we realistically could have hoped for. Obviously, with Tarja’s voice having been such a fundamental part of the Nightwish sound for so long, comparisons to her former band are inevitable and of course, there are stylistic similarities in places.

But this is the sound of an artist finding their own voice: Expansive, dramatic and brave, What Lies Beneath is packed with pleasing surprises.

Anteroom of Death sets the tone, surviving a slightly awkward arrangement to pair Tori Amos-style acoustic passages with heavier sections, resulting in an utterly convincing blend of rock opera bombast and musical theatre.

On tracks like Until My Last Breath and the electrifying Falling Awake, Tarja shows she is still capable of rocking out too, her voice displaying an edge and attitude seldom heard on her work before.

Or, if it’s ballads you want, simply immerse yourself in I Feel Immortal or Underneath and ask yourself if Tarja has ever sung on a better album than this.

A hugely enjoyable album that sets a high standard for future releases. Tarja isn’t just surviving without Nightwish, she’s absolutely blossoming.

by Marcus Jervis