TARJA TURUNEN: Photos From Tour Rehearsals Posted Online

April 29, 2009

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen has uploaded photos from the rehearsal sessions for her North American tour, which is scheduled to kick of tonight (Wednesday, April 29) in New York City.

Tarja's band for the trek consists of the following musicians

Tarja Turunen - Vocals
Mike Terrana (MASTERPLAN, SAVAGE CIRCUS, ex-RAGE, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Drums
Maria Ilmoniemi - Keyboards
Oliver Holzwarth (BLIND GUARDIAN, ex-SIEGES EVEN) - Bass
Alex Scholpp (ex-FARMER BOYS) - Guitar
Max Lilja (HEVEIN, ex-APOCALYPTICA) - Cello

She writes on her blog, "All the band and crew, we have been in the Big Apple rehearsing for the shows. It felt so good to meet everybody again and start the fun.

"I am so happy to meet all my American friends tonight in the first show!

"It is very nice to play with the 'original' live lineup now. Has been one year since that happened last time!

"As many of you might know already, there is a health issue problems at the moment especially in Mexico, USA and Canada. Still, Mexico is the worst affected area and is very sad that people are dying because of this flu. Our condolences to all families of the flu victims. We all hope this will end up very soon. You might also know that I am supposed to have a concert pretty soon in Mexico City. I want to let all my fans know that as long as the government of Mexico does not cancel the public events, I am heading to Mexico and I’m going to have my show there. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the disease gets under control and people can return to their normal life."

Spinefarm Records recently released a new digital single from Tarja Turunen entitled "Enough". The single features the title track plus the bonus song "Wisdom Of Wind"; both cuts are brand new recordings, although it's yet to be determined if they will feature on the singer's second full studio album under the Tarja banner.

Tarja Turunen has set "What Lies Beneath" as the working title of her new solo CD, tentatively due before the end of the year. She says, "With [2007's] 'My Winter Storm', I chose the name of the album in the early stages and that helped me to create the concept for the album. With the new album, I decided to do it the same way, so I searched for an inspiring title and all the songs are one way or another related to it."

Regarding the songwriting process for the new CD, Turunen says, "In the last months I've been writing a lot of music for my new album. Songwriting is always an amazing learning experience, and it has been a pleasure to discuss music with different people.

"The album process is still going on and I have more songs that are in the working. It is sounding very promising. The songs are absolutely more mature, wild, and emotional and they sound more me, if I can say so.

"The biggest difference in preparing this new album is that I will be taking the time that I need until the songs are in a shape that I am happy with. No matter how long it takes. I want it to be perfect for me. No hurry; no pressure."

Tarja's album "My Winter Storm" was re-released on January 2. This double CD "extended special edition" is packed with 32 tracks, including the CD "My Winter Storm" with the addition of the song "The Seer" in its original version. The bonus disc presents several new tracks, remixes and live recordings. Among them, the brand new song "Enough" and "The Seer", this time featuring a duet with German rock star Doro Pesch. Both tracks were mixed at Resonate Recording Studios by Toby Wright (SLAYER, KORN, KISS, ALICE IN CHAINS). Also included is the previously unreleased track "Wisdom Of Wind", composed by Jeff Rona and Lisa Gerrard and featuring the Beijing Philharmonic with Qingdao Symphony Orchestra recorded in China. The two-CD set is available as a digipack deluxe edition including an exclusive poster, new album cover and enhanced booklet containing new photos.

As an appetizer of "My Winter Storm Special Extended Edition", a limited-edition collector's item 11-track EP "The Seer" was released on December 1 in the U.K. only.

Fan-filmed video footage of Tarja Turunen performing the new song "Enough" on October 19, 2008 in Luxembourg can be viewed below (clip uploaded by "S1lverW1ngs").

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