Written: 2nd February 2025
Like many, I came to know Marko Hietala through Nightwish. In my case, this was upon the release of Century Child in 2002. On his first album with the band, Hietala made an instant impression, not only for his amazing bass playing but his remarkably powerful and instantly identifiable voice. Tracks such as Slaying The Dreamer remain amongst my favourite by the band. His first solo album Mustan sydämen rovio (Pyre of the Black Heart) was released in 2019 and was extremely well received.
The first point to mention about the ten songs that make up Roses From The Deep is the fresh and dynamic vibrance that oozes from each of them. With all the songs being recorded live in the studio, the interaction between the band members is palpable. First track Frankenstein’s Wife deliberately harks back to some of the values the late eighties and early nineties albums of Alice Cooper. Producer and guitarist Tuomas Wäinölä adds, "Production-wise 'Frank' includes some personal favourite moments catching the vibe of Trash and Hey Stoopid. I love that theatrical arena rock sound with broad tempos, big guitar riffs and synths and some gang backing vocals." There is certainly something about the track which captures the swagger of a rejuvenated Alice Cooper and it is one of the most instantly accessible tracks on the album. Within the first two minutes, Hietala shows that his voice can be both tender and twisted on this tragic love song as he dives into his gothic side. He comments, “I like to write my romance mixed with insanity and splatter. What it tells about me is anyone’s guess, but it sure is a classic combo for legends. Hope you like the song too!" The late key change in the song runs the risk of appearing cheesy but this is a celebration of arena rock and it is impossible to resist.
Left On Mars (featuring former bandmate Tarja Turunen) changes the feel a little and Marko has the opportunity to stretch his vocal chords a little. Lyrically, it explores themes of isolation, longing and the search for solace in shared experiences. Do you know that my heart still holds the rage, no / And I’ve turned page after page / I never chose to be an alien, no / I’m just looking for a home. It begins with a chord and rhythm structure that partly reminds me of Led Zeppelin, although the track develops into something entirely different. More symphonic in nature, to Marko it is one of the most important pieces on the album. “When I got the original idea, I didn't think that this could become a fascinating duet, but Tuomas started throwing the idea on the table... And what happened? Tarja - we have toured with her band recently and will continue to tour in 2025 - immediately jumped in as my duet partner. I can't even describe how heartfelt this feels to me!" The duet works wonderfully and they are clearly having an amazing time together.
Proud Whore is grittier and darker than some of the other tracks. Stomping with a solid groove and faster, restless guitar work (including a sleazy but compelling solo) from Wäinölä and a pounding bass line from Hietala, it sets it apart from what we have already heard on the album. After three tracks, we have been treated to three completely different styles and songwriting approaches. More variety is to come and on Two Soldiers, one of the best songs on the album, the storytelling elements that are weaved through the album come to the fore. A beautiful introduction blending piano, acoustic guitar and strings, precedes gentle but impactful vocals. As the song progresses, the epic feeling grows and as the strings swell, it draws us closer and closer. With complete freedom, Hietala shows that he is more than prepared to embrace a range of genres and the album is all the better for it.
As if to prove that he intends to show the listener every nuance of his songwriting, the eight minute Dragon Must Die takes us through a kaleidoscope of motifs. The most metal influenced track on the album, it builds and builds across its running time, the feeling of vast landscapes and dangerous personal quests before us. “It perfectly showcases the album's versatility, shifting from downtuned metal to symphonic atmospheres, progressive polyrhythms and melodic Irish influences,” Hietala states. Dragon Must Die more than delivers on that promise and we are treated to a multi-faceted track that takes its time to tell its story. Nowhere on the album is Hietala’s partnership with drummer Anssi Nykänen more effective, while the choral inspired conclusion to the track is inspiring and full-blooded.
Moving forward, The Devil You Know and Rebel of the North more than maintain the album's momentum. Hietala has not been secretive about some of his struggles with mental health and several tracks on Roses From The Deep deal with the subject. Rebel of the North is an out and out rocker, and a driving bass line from Hietala together with insistent guitar riffs and sterling Hammond organ work from Vili Ollila once more looks back to some of the classic rock bands. Hietala comments, “The main riff will put you into the Nordics with a slam. And the story is about reimagining, reinventing, and then gathering yourself into a better new being. We should never take ourselves for granted. It leads to becoming jaded and boring. Your inner kid wants to learn and apply anything and everything. Just don’t get in the way of yourself."
Impatient Zero delves further into mental health and the outlook we present to the world. "It’s about a battle for being under a continuous assault of inner monsters. And the awful truth, that in this reality, people get to see those monsters, too, instead of the real face,” reflects Hietala. It features a truly titanic performance from Hietala on bass and serves up some of the heaviest moments that you find on Roses From The Deep. Infectious and insistent.
Penultimate track Tammikuu (which translates as January) is the only track on the album sung in Finnish. Once it reaches full velocity, it becomes an unyielding juggernaut and would undoubtedly work well in the live arena. With the final song, title track Roses From The Deep, being (at least initially) a stripped back acoustic based finale, its placement after the pulsating Tammikuu reminds us again of the inherent multiplicity in styles that we are presented with across the album. The title track is another gem and as the volume increases during the middle section of the track, there is another heartfelt guitar solo. The final third of the song builds in pathos, atmosphere and use of orchestrations leading to wonderfully satisfying and epic conclusion to the album.
Roses From The Deep is an excellent collection of songs and testament to the deep collaboration between the members of the band but Hietala and Wäinölä in particular. "Marko comes up with the first spark of an idea, but the final songs are always the result of intense collaboration,” Wäinölä explains. "When we worked on the first record a few years ago, our fruitful liaison was successfully started. However, with the second album, everything - the overall ambition, the song arrangements and so on - was taken to a new level." These are not merely hollow words and those who enjoyed Hietala’s solo debut will, without doubt, revel in this album but will also be enthralled by the aspirational zeal that is evident time and time again.
Covering a range of genres from classic rock, symphonic metal, charming acoustic simplicity and even moments heading towards grunge, herein lies the success of Roses From The Deep; it is a delightfully constructed and diverse album – which grows in quality with every listen - that clearly plays to the strengths and personal loves of the band. Exciting, adventurous and compelling.
Roses From The Deep is released on 7th February 2025
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