Many artists, when they decide to strike out on their own and fly solo (either before or after leaving the band), have a tendency to try and replicate the existing band's sound, which more or less renders moot the entire point of making your own album. It's a duplicate -- why bother? Let us take a moment, then, and give thanks for those that shoot for a different target, and (crucially) hit it. Since her vividly public departure from Nightwish, Tarja has stepped out onto the figurative ice and found a fairly solid footing. Her vocal abilities have never been in question, and on her second offering What Lies Beneath, she proves that with authority. In addition, her songwriting and even producing capabilities are now brought to center stage, and those prove to be equally impressive. Tarja's boldness and tenacity have paid off in what seems to be a stronger project than My Winter Storm, which was decent to begin with.

The songwriting, in particular, is a step up and features more of a variety and cohesiveness than previously heard. Both elements together are a rare combination, and Tarja assembled a talented group of musicians to assist in bringing What Lies Beneath to the surface. One such example is the risky opener Anteroom Of Death, which switches tempos in an abrupt and unconventional fashion. There are artists that can pull off these things with flair and precision, and this doesn't feel that way. Due to her tendency for downtuned guitars with massive distortion, this and many tracks feel muddled rather than crisp and clear. On the later chorus section I thought Tarja and gone and gotten Queen to guest on her album, but it's actually acapella-metallers Van Canto. Nice touch there, but not the best opening track to be honest.

Next up is Until My Last Breath, a decidedly commercial rocker with a title and breathing effects that strongly suggest Nightwish. However, while there are many other similar uptempo tracks, including Dark Star, In For A Kill, Falling Awake, and one of the heaviest, Little Lies, Tarja definitely walks her own path here. This is not an attempt to replicate her ex-band’s presence. Orchestration and classical influences are present, and Tarja’s singing is beautiful as it ever was. The drumming of Mike Terrana is a solid addition here, never more so than on the album closer Crimson Deep. Easily one of the strongest tracks on the album, it has a great pounding groove and aggressive rhythm guitars lasting over seven minutes.

Tarja has always done ballads well, and there are several good ones here. Underneath begins with haunting piano and adds the band to become more of a power ballad, while Rivers Of Lust starts similarly and ends on more of an epic, orchestral note. Interestingly, Tarja flexes her Spanish-singing skills on Montanas de Silencio, a beautiful song that floods the senses. Elegance has always been her strong suit. One exception might be the bonus cover of Still Of The Night. Having just reviewed that particular Whitesnake album, I visibly cringed in my chair when I saw that title on the track list. To be honest, it doesn’t hold a candle to the original, although I wouldn’t say it was butchered. The dirty, fuzzy guitars don’t hold a candle to the legendary sound of John Sykes, and Tarja’s operatic-ness is just not a substitution for Coverdale. Between this and the Scorpions’ track The Good Die Young (which was better without you, sorry girl), I’m glad the cover tracks are relegated to bonus-release-land, as her original work is much more interesting.

What Lies Beneath is without question a strong effort, showcasing the growing talents of Tarja Turunen, and proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that she can stand on her own and produce a notable, enjoyable rock/metal album. Those used to the over-the-top bombast of Nightwish might take awhile to properly enjoy the different tone here, but in time the lyrical content, sharp arrangements and vocal prowess should win over most fans of modern rock/metal. Not content with merely that, the addition of all the classical elements and lush orchestrations are icing on what seems to be a rather delectable cake.