TARJA TURUNEN (ex-NIGHTWISH) has issued the following new blog entry from Petrax Studios in Hollola, Finland:

"I recorded my first ever piano tracks for 'U' and 'TAOLD'! The grand piano in the studio is Bechstein which sound I truly love. Bechstein is very moody piano in general. I have the same brand at home as well. In these songs you will easily 'recognize' me playing the piano parts, instead of a professional pianist.

So if I don’t consider myself as a piano player, you shouldn’t do that either.

The feeling in these songs is the most important matter and I think I captured it. It has been really nice experience for me to work with our engineer Jetro who has been so supportive and a great help in my 'troubles'. He has good ears and is very, very fast and talented.

Still feels awkward to be playing an instrument (rather than my voice) in songs where Mike Terrana, Doug Wimbish, Will Calhoun, Alex Scholpp, Christian Kretschmar and Marzi Nyman are displaying their talents.

I received already the second orchestra arrangement today and it sounds very promising as well, so we are progressing. I was also recording vocals for one song that is considered by the record company and all the musicians to be one of the first singles. Let’s see later if you like it or not.

Today we said goodbye to Petrax and it’s lovely people, Tiina and Petri. We were really happy to work at their beautiful place and I am sure it won’t be the last time they will see us there. Everything went marvellous and we felt like being at home. Many thanks to Tiina for the delicious food and care and Petri for his support, efforts and understanding. We wish them just the best.

We will resume the vocal recordings later. These couple of weeks have been full of work and concentration, since I am producing this album on my own and with the help of the dear ones around. Now I think I need at least some rest.

I will leave you in the meantime with few lines of a song I already recorded my vocals:

Who can change this memory?

Inside it needs to burn

Worship by the enemy

The guilty take their turns

Watching as it’s disappearing

Shadows all that remain

Wishes slowly crossing over

In this parade of pain

I will come back to you soon."

Tarja Turunen is detailing work on her forthcoming new album, What Lies Beneath, on her official blog at Tarja-whatliesbeneath.com. Further updates to follow.