MARKO HIETALA: Pyre Of The Black Heart (MELODIC METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Marko Hietala, Nightwish's bassist, releases on Nuclear Blast his first solo album "Pyre Of The Black Heart" made up of songs that Marko has composed throughout his career. This winter seems to be a good timing, two and a half months before the much awaited worldwide release of the next Finnish sextet's blockbuster. Let's note that a Suomi version of the album will also be released, but we haven't been offered to hear it yet, and that some tracks were originally composed in his native language and then translated into English while others followed the opposite process.

Most of the tracks feature Marko's vocals with a very present voice (who said too much?) right from the introduction 'Stones'. If he is the second voice of Nightwish, he is mainly used for the roughness of his timbre and the harshness of his expression, in contrast with Floor Jansen's voice. But here Marko shows us several facets of his vocal qualities. They are often expressed in finesse on power ballads ('I am The Way') or more introspective ones like 'For You' and 'The Voice Of My Father' with very personal lyrics and on which the great Finn offers a sweet and unexpected leading voice.

'Star, Sand and Shadow' reminds everyone that Hietala also has metal anchored deep in his soul and the heavy and supportive riff is the perfect expression of this. His vocals are more powerful too, closer to what he gives us with Nightwish. Same remark for 'the chorus of 'Dead God's Son'. As we never go back, the Folk influences of the Finn are also present, especially on 'Death March Of Freedom's vocal lines and on the energetic 'Runner Of The Railway' with its exotic violin/guitar riff and its Hammond organ solo a la Deep Purple.

The quieter tracks are an opportunity to enjoy Tuomas Wänölä's airy and feeling solos with a special mention in this area on 'For You' and 'Death March Of Freedom'. His performance is remarkable overall, as are those of Marko on acoustic guitar which contributes to the introspective atmosphere, especially at the end of the album with a duet 'I Dream' and 'Truth Shall Set You Free' whose beauty might well make you completely fall into the intimacy of Finland's most famous blond goatee.

The whole is therefore quite heterogeneous due to a songwriting that spans some twenty years. But if the Viking's fans will find there their vocal account, the inspiration, however melodic it is, doesn't shine by its originality and a few tracks a bit conventional will deprive the album of a more flattering note. Nevertheless, "Pyre Of The Black Heart" has the merit to highlight a singer with an endearing charisma and to plunge us into his universe through introspective, very personal and emotional tracks. To listen without sulking his pleasure that we promise you immediately. - Official website

MARKO HIETALA

PYRE OF THE BLACK HEART

NUCLEAR BLAST

MELODIC METAL