MARKO HIETALA is a name synonymous with Scandinavian heaviness. Whilst his CV holds credits for founding TAROT and being a member of supergroup SINERGY, it’s the Finn’s work with NIGHTWISH that really put him on the map, his bass playing and rich, baritone voice complimenting three vocalists and spanning six studio albums over nearly two decades. Since his departure, he’s also branched into television work, appearing in the latest series of music-oriented entertainment show Vain elämää in his native country, which has been viewed by millions. Friday 7th February sees Marko‘s follow up to his 2019 debut Pyre of the Black Heart emerge – Roses From The Deep, released by Nuclear Blast Records.
As one very often finds with solo releases, they may have the foundations, blueprints and influences of the projects they are best known for, but the layers and styles that are built on top are much more varied and a truer representation of said individual. Roses From The Deep may exhibit certain elements of Marko‘s former outfits – there is still the grandeur within songs, the underpinning of symphonic metal and a strong progressive edge, but the towers crafted on top of these are significantly different.
Opening track Frankenstein’s Wife is driven by a classic, JUDAS PRIEST-esque riff and sci-fi inspired synthesisers; the final swirl sounds just like something out of a Horror Hammer film or episode of Dr. Who. Proud Whore manages to dip its toes in both SABBATH and OZZY territory, the doom-laden guitar lick reminiscent of the former combined with the soaring, more commercially edged chorus of the latter. The Devil You Know begins acoustically, the impression of MARKP HIETALA telling a folklore story around a campfire before it explodes into a full band stomper, and Rebel Of The North has the vintage, gothic edge of ALICE COOPER in his pomp.
The absolute highlight, however, is the album’s central track, the eight-minute epic Dragon Must Die. It could have been inspired by any number of fantasy worlds within popular culture musically, but the strings intro, methodical and purposeful pace and military style drums and brass section bring to mind the world of Game Of Thrones more than anything else.
Delve a little deeper into the lyrics, however, and it’s noticeable that the ‘dragon’ being spoken of is less in a classic sense, but a darker, more politically-edged metaphor for the evils of the world, which gives the song added grit. The other key track is Left On Mars, which sees Marko reunite with former bandmate Tarja Turunen and trade vocal lines as effortlessly as they did all that time ago; it’s suitably imaginative in feel and will whet the appetites of those who have pined about both musicians since their respective NIGHTWISH departures.
Marko‘s first album was a solid, if not spectacular collection of songs that served as a litmus test for how his sole creativity would fare away from the constructs of an album wit an established band. Roses From The Deep is far more cohesive, immersive and interesting in every single way. It rises and falls as gracefully as the man himself who, after a self-imposed sabbatical to tend to his mental health, sounds vibrant and energised once more.
Rating: 7/10
Roses From the Deep is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.
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