Is The Brightest Void a good place to start with Tarja Turunen?

Yes, The Brightest Void is recommended as a starting point for new Tarja Turunen listeners. A fusion of symphonic metal and operatic pop, blending powerful vocals with intricate instrumental arrangements. Released in 2016, The Brightest Void is Tarja Turunen's second studio album following her departure from Nightwish, showcasing her evolution as a solo artist. This album arrives after the critical success of her previous release, Colours in the Dark, and marks a continued exploration of her operatic roots within a heavy metal context.

Who is The Brightest Void for?

The Brightest Void works well if you're into steady mid-tempo listening experience, dramatic crescendos and releases and operatic vocals for emotional depth.

How many songs are on The Brightest Void?

The Brightest Void has 9 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

The Brightest Void

Tarja Turunen · 2016

43 min · 9 tracks · classical music

A fusion of symphonic metal and operatic pop, blending powerful vocals with intricate instrumental arrangements.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
No Bitter End Start here — The opening track sets an ambitious tone for the album with its powerful orchestration and poignant lyrics about resilience in the face of adversity.
→
Witch Hunt — This song showcases Tarja's ability to blend haunting melodies with heavier instrumentation, creating a dramatic atmosphere that reflects her operatic influences.
→
Goldfinger — 'Goldfinger' stands out as a bold cover that reinterprets a classic theme song through Turunen's theatrical vocal style, offering a fresh take on an iconic piece.
→
Paradise (What About Us) (New Mix) — This new mix elevates the already popular collaboration with Within Temptation, highlighting Turunen's vocal prowess alongside impactful lyrics questioning societal issues.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends orchestral and rock elements effectively, showcasing strong vocals and arrangements.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks with a strong emphasis on orchestral arrangements, while the second half shifts towards more rock-oriented instrumentation.
Vocals are layered with harmonies and often accompanied by dramatic crescendos, particularly in tracks like 'Goldfinger' and 'Witch Hunt'.
Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts, moving from soft verses to powerful choruses, creating a sense of tension and release.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo listening experience
dramatic crescendos and releases
operatic vocals for emotional depth
exhilarating symphonic landscapes
engaging storytelling through songs

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer short standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid entry in her catalog that doesn't stand out as a breakthrough or critical peak.
Themes: operatic resilience· theatrical darkness· societal questioning
Career context: Released in 2016, The Brightest Void is Tarja Turunen's second studio album following her departure from Nightwish, showcasing her evolution as a solo artist. This album arrives after the critical success of her previous release, Colours in the Dark, and marks a continued exploration of her operatic roots within a heavy metal context.
Stylistic neighbors: Nightwish· Within Temptation· Epica

New to Tarja Turunen? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

No Bitter End

The bridge shifts to an introspective reflection on personal strength amid challenges, revealing vulnerability before returning to a powerful declaration.

This structural change enhances the emotional impact by contrasting moments of doubt with triumphant resolve, embodying the album's overarching themes.