Published: June 3, 2026 · 1:23 AM EDT
Tarja Turunen joins Gino Alache for an exclusive RockumWeb.com interview about Frisson Noir, the heavier direction of the album, its cinematic and emotional world, her collaboration with Dani Filth, and the upcoming Frisson Live Tour 2026.
Rockum presents an exclusive interview with Tarja Turunen, one of the most distinctive voices in rock and metal. In this conversation, journalist Gino Alache, editor of RockumWeb.com and host of the Rockum Radio Show, speaks with Tarja about her upcoming album Frisson Noir, to be released on June 12, 2026 via earMUSIC.
The interview focuses on the creation of Frisson Noir, an album presented as one of the heaviest works of Tarja’s solo career. Tarja talks about how the idea for the record began, when she realized the material was moving toward a heavier direction, and what kind of emotions she wanted listeners to experience through the album. The conversation also explores the balance between elegance and heaviness, a contrast that has become one of the most recognizable elements of her artistic identity.
Rockum previously covered the album’s first major announcement in Tarja Announces 'Frisson Noir,' Her Heaviest Album Featuring Dani Filth, Marko Hietala and Chad Smith. That report introduced the record as a major new chapter in Tarja’s career, with a sound that brings together heaviness, cinematic atmosphere and emotional depth.
During the interview, Tarja also discusses the songwriting and production process behind Frisson Noir. The conversation goes into how ideas developed for the album, whether the songs began from piano, orchestration, vocals or guitar riffs, and how important atmosphere and sound design were in shaping the final result. Tarja also speaks about the studio process, vocal challenges, and the contribution of Neal Avron in the mixing stage.
The lyrical and emotional world of Frisson Noir is another important part of the conversation. Tarja reflects on themes such as fear, identity, transformation and resilience, while also discussing why darkness and beauty often coexist in her music. These ideas give the album a broader emotional dimension, connecting the heavier sound of the record with a more personal and human perspective.
The interview also covers the singles “At Sea” and “I Don’t Care.” Tarja talks about “At Sea” as an introduction to the album and discusses “I Don’t Care,” her collaboration with Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth. The pairing brings together two very different vocal identities and stands as one of the most striking collaborations connected to Frisson Noir.
After this interview was recorded, the album campaign continued with the release of “The Trace Outlives,” which Rockum covered in Tarja Releases 'The Trace Outlives' Video Ahead of 'Frisson Noir' Featuring Marko Hietala, Dani Filth and Chad Smith. That later release added another important piece to the visual and musical world surrounding the album.
The conversation closes with a look toward the Frisson Live Tour 2026, where Tarja will bring the new songs to the stage. She also shares a message for the listeners of the Rockum Radio Show, a two-hour rock and metal radio program broadcast through CFRC 101.9 FM in Ontario, Canada.
Tarja has also been part of Rockum’s radio programming, appearing in the episode highlighted in Exodus, Tarja, Alissa White-Gluz and Axel Rudi Pell Featured on Gino Alache's Rockum Radio Show. This new video interview continues that connection between Tarja and Rockum across both editorial and radio platforms.
Watch the full video interview below and discover the story behind Frisson Noir:
