Brightest Void” – the prequel and a full album on its own – will lead the way and sweeten the wait to the new studio album “The Shadow Self” in August. Tarja’s incredible creative urge and incredible musical output shows on both musical releases which – even though being entwined with and inspired by each other – can be seen as two independent records which stand on their own. “The Brightest Void” and “The Shadow Self” are unpredictable – in the best sense of the word – and leave you surprised after each and every song. They amaze with their original ideas, heavy guitar riffs, a high class production as well as crystal clear sound – both albums were mixed by British producer and audio engineer extraordinaire Tim Palmer in Austin, Texas (Pearl Jam, U2) – and of course, Tarja’s incredible vocal range. Tarja herself describes both albums as her heaviest to date – to which one can only nod and agree. The extra album “The Brightest Void” is filled with 9 songs and over 50 minutes of brand new music. It features not one but three incredible guest artists: fellow Finnish star Michael Monroe, icon of the glam rock scene and former front man of inspiring band Hanoi Rocks; Chad Smith (who doesn’t need a further introduction) and a new mix of Within Temptation’s collaboration “Paradise (What about us)” carried out with Tarja renowned sound engineer and producer Tim Palmer. The prequel presents Tarja’s first single “No Bitter End” as the album opener and furthermore shakes you with an incredible cover of Sir Paul McCartney’s overlooked gem “House Of Wax” as well as adding a new twist to Dame Shirley Basseys’ James Bond main theme hit “Goldfinger”. Speaking of 007 – with an atmospheric, almost cinematic cover of Muse’s modern classic “Supremacy”, Tarja’s “The Shadow Self” picks up where “The Brightest Void” left off. The driving beat and groove of the catchy “Innocence” sucks you in with its striking chorus and melody whereas the album version of “No Bitter End” presents an extended almost progressive instrumental part – a trait which can be found in more than one song on both albums. “Diva” on the other hand can be described a darkly folkloristic and theatrical song that heaves you to a gigantic soundscape during the chorus. “Demon’s In You”, Tarja’s remarkable collaboration with Alissa White-Gluz of melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, brings a surprising edge and heavy element to the record and shows that this is indeed the heaviest album Tarja has ever done whereas the closing song of the album “Too Many” features an unusual, unexpected sound and once more makes clear to always can expect the unexpected from the most successful Finnish solo artist.