When my friend called me to say she had won tickets for the What Lies Beneath pre-listen I was ecstatic. I have wanted to meet Tarja for years and to have the chance to not only meet the voice but also to listen to an unreleased album made me feel over the moon. I have been waiting for this album since late 2008 when she started working on it and now, well, I have listened to it, loved it and craved for more.
I was arriving at Universal Music Group in London when my friend got a phone call from this anonymous someone who asked ‘Have you found your way to the studios? How long will you be?’. While she was on a phone my heart stopped for half a minute. I was certain they were cancelling the whole thing. Fortunately they did not. I truly was going to listen to the album and meet her. As we arrived they sat us in the hall waiting for the other lucky winners who had won the Kerrang competion. 10 minutes later Tarja made herself visible from the end of the corridor and the atmosphere changed. No, not because she emanates light but because some people around us momentarily tried (in vain) to suppress their nervous giggling. I didn’t giggle, I just stared.
Dante Bonutto, a consultant for Universal Music, was the host who finally told us to move on to another room. The other room was the building’s cafeteria weirdly equipped with massive speakers and a massive subwoofer. So much for the studio imagery I had in my head. Either way they were kind enough to serve us drinks and chocolates. Not all bad. After waiting for some not so punctual dudes Dante announced it was going to start: The second time What Lies Beneath would be fully played! (The first was 1 hour earlier exclusively for the press). At this point he had already reassured us that Tarja would not only come later for the Meet and Greet but also to talk about the album, a really pleasant surprise.
What Lies Beneath starts with Anteroom of Death, a song that has been clouded by mystery since Tarja had said the fans would freak out the first time they would listen to it and thats precisely what happened. I’ve looked around during the song and all I could see was frowning, no, not of disapproval, but the kind of frown you do when you try really hard to make sense of something. Anteroom of Death features Van Canto and with that very little needs to be said. From the mixture of Tarja + Van Canto comes the weirdest song I’ve ever heard although I cannot really explain in what way. It’s chaotic but yet listenable, heavy with a huge hint of alternative. It sounded like nothing I had ever heard and I am not sure whether I like it or not. I’ll really leave this one to you. Love it or hate it kind of song.
Until My Last Breath came next. Nothing to tell here really since the song has already been leaked.
I Feel Immortal was next. Again, not much to say here since the song is already out although I was pleased to know it sounded heavier with big speakers than on youtube. Really catchy and a definite hit to come.
In For a Kill followed. Although the song has already been played at live shows I was again pleased to know that it sounded heavier than it does live.
With Underneath you could nearly touch the enthusiasm in the room. I am sure everyone was really wondering ‘Is this the heavy album we have all been waiting for?’. At this point I was already quite pleased with the songs that had been played but I had this fear the album would start to go down on heaviness with Oasis like songs. I am pleased to tell you that it did not.
With the opening of Little Lies, the heaviest song on the whole album, you could see the nods around you, the legs kicking and heads banging. Mine was. Little lies starts with massive riffs. It truly is an explosive song that puts Ciarans Well and Lost Nortern Star, the heaviest songs on My Winter Storm, miles and miles away. I wish I could remember more from this song but to be honest I really don’t although I remember that I loved every sound of it. When the song finished the enthusiasm had really built up which was made clear by the ‘yeses’ whispered. Tarja had done it: the return to heavy metal that everyone was waiting for.
Rivers of Lust came next to soften the album although its not, in any way, a lame or boring song like Calling Grace from My Winter Storm. Again, I do not remember the song at all other than remembering that I really loved it. Its touching and extremely emotional with incredible lyrics. Although Oasis was in my opinion one of my favourites in MWS this one is definitely above Oasis quality. A masterpiece.
Dark Star, featuring Phil Labonte, is another heavy song featuring plenty of grunts which for Tarja, and the fans, was a first (I think). As a fan of grunts I have, of course, love it. The song starts with the sound of people’s steps building up to a beautiful islamic (?) chant.
Falling Awake is also already out although the album version, featuring Joe Satriani, has a different bridge with different riffs. Personally I prefer the street single version although this is also a strong one.
The Archive of Lost Dreams is another soft song (only two in the whole album by the way) which is a true masterpiece. I am not sure whether it is the Archive of Lost Dreams or Rivers of Lust that although it is a soft song it builds up to guitar riffs towards the end. So, in truth, there’s only 1 soft song.
The album closes with Crimson Deep, which has also been played live but sounds heavier in the album version. Tarja really shows off her full operatic capacity in this one.
Overall What Lies Beneath is, without a doubt, a smashing success from our favourite metal singer. I do not say this simply because I love Tarja but because it truly is. I could recognise the faults in My Winter Storm the first time I listened, I could spot the struggle, I could spot the failed attempt to make it sound heavy although it is an OK album. With What Lies Beneath Tarja reaches maturity not only as a singer but also as a song writer and producer. WLB sounds like no other album I have listened to and she does it perfectly. Not only WLB is a truly heavy album which will please huge crowds as it is finely written with an incredible attention to detail and music layering in all songs.
What Lies Beneath will, without a doubt, affirm Tarja as an excellent solo artist.
Once the album finished playing the excitement built up since it was about time to finally meet her. Tarja came and spend a good half hour (or so) with us introducing the album and answering questions. You can watch the answers and questions here: Sonic Shocks
Although she mentions this in the above video I can tell you which songs are going as bonus tracks:
- Naiad (a long song which has a mysterious underwater sound to it)
- We Are
- If You Believe
- Montañas De Silencio
- The Crying Moon
Unfortunately Witch Hunt has been dropped altogether although she did not explain why.
Diogo Duarte