OK, who thought that the delectable Ms. Turunen would walk away from the rock scene after her shock sacking from Nightwish? I certainly did. That is most certainly not the case although I did gulp somewhat when it was announced that the musicians featured on this included some who had appeared with Madonna, Annie Lennox, and Seal. Fear not though as My Winter Storm sees our heroine make somewhat of a triumphant return to the fray. Obviously there’s going to be some comparison with her former band and their new CD (as Dark Passion Play is a possible album of the year) but there’s no doubt about it; this is much, much better than I would have ever hoped.
 
My review copy has twenty-one tracks on it including three versions of the first single, the uber-Gothic I Walk Alone which is undeniably brilliant in each of its various guises. It is also very much like Nightwish but fear not, it is not some weak pastiche. Turunen has steered her own path on this record yet still remains in familiar territory. As with Nightwish the whole orchestral kitchen sink has been thrown in, often to quite gorgeous effect as on The Reign which has class stamped all the way through it.
 
Then there’s the much vaunted cover of Alice Cooper’s Poison which works better than one would have ever thought. Initially it seems a bit odd hearing Tarja sing a straight rock song but the arrangement and menacing guitars all add together to make it a very satisfying version. Also ticking all the right boxes is My Little Phoenix which is somewhat of a slow builder but again features all the drama that fans would want from such a quality singer.
 
Turunen’s voice on Boy and the Ghost is so beautiful it lifts a fairly mediocre song into a realm that it probably shouldn’t reach. Likewise Oasis is somewhat dull but soon forgotten as it’s placed next to Poison. Our Great Divide again features a truly fantastic vocal performance although throughout the album I was wondering how many takes these songs must have required as having witnessed Turunen live I am well aware that we must always remember that English isn’t her native tongue.
 
I myself could have done without some of the musical interludes as they don’t add a great deal to the overall record but I suppose that’s why the fast forward button was invented. Overall that fast forward button isn’t required often and existing fans of Tarja Turunen can break open the piggy banks in the knowledge that this is a safe investment.

Let us know your views on My Winter Storm

Track Listing

I Walk Alone
Lost Northern Star
Seeking For The Reign
The Reign
The Escape Of The Doll
My Little Phoenix
Die Alive
Boy And The Ghost
Sing For Me
Oasis
Poison
Our Great Divide
Sunset
Damned And Divine
Minor Heaven
Ciarán's Well
Calling Grace

Line Up

Tarja Turunen - Vocals
Doug Wimbish - Bass
Alex Scholpp - Guitars
Mike Terrana - Drums
Maria Ilmoniemi - Keyboards
Max Silja - Cello
Markus Hohti - Cello
Toni Turunen - Vocals/Guitars/Keys