Artist: Tarja
Title: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” (Single)
Label: Ear Music
Release Date: 10/6/2017
Genre: Holiday/Classical
Rating: 4/5

Okay so I am not going to lie to you and say that I love adding a Christmas themed review to the website before Halloween has even hit us but here we are with the debut single from that Finnish vocal sensation Tarja Turunen. Most of you readers know her sonic register from the early Nightwish albums but since that time she’s been a prolific solo performer and has released numerous albums. Some of the releases have been Hard Rock with a twist of Metal and others are more Classical in nature. The new album from Tarja is a Classical Christmas album called “From Spirits and Ghosts (Score For A Dark Christmas)” and the premiere track is her rendition of “O Come O Come Emmanuel”. Here are some thoughts on it.

The song begins with a solemn and haunting Tarja singing over the low musical score that includes violin and some keyboards. The tension slowly builds to its crescendo with the second verse that is also sung in a different language. I couldn’t 100% discern this part but felt it was in Spanish so you’ll have to pardon me there. Tarja’s vocal is as crystal clear as you might remember it from the Metal years and its without question that she rules the realm of Classical with ease. The flourishing with the brass, woodwinds and choirs that join her towards the end of the tune are resounding and it all ends as solemnly as it began. Wonderful stuff to hear and it makes me look forward to the rest of this Dark Christmas album even if I am still trying to decide on what to do for Halloween. This song is also one of my favorite Christmas hymns so it was great to hear this take on it. Well done Tarja.

Track Listing:
1. O Come O Come Emmanuel

Official Website: http://www.tarjaturunen.com