Finnish singer/ bassist Marko Hietala (aka Marco Hietala) has released a lyric video for the new single,  "Runner Of The Railways", featured on his new solo album, Pyre Of The Black Heart, out now via Nuclear Blast.

Order Pyre Of The Black Heartnow on CD (jewelcase) or clear vinyl, here, and watch the new clip below.

About the goal behind his solo album, Marko Hietala comments, "Well, let's put it this way: Nightwish is without any doubt my main band, and thanks to income from that direction, I don't have to be that commercially aware... What I mean is that when I was coming up with the musical thoughts for this solo record, I was able to do simply anything without limits. So if I had a goal, it was to not have any kind of limits, but to prepare an unpredictable, spontaneous, adventurous, ferocious and intimate solo record. And now when I am listening to the final album by myself, I can say with my hand on my heart that I - or rather us - pulled it off... The record is a really diverse musical roller coaster ride that takes eager listeners into a world of strong emotions and deep feelings!"

Hietala's voice has barely faded away, and he is already honouring his skillful band mates. "Even if Pyre Of The Black Heartis definitely my solo album, I didn't compose everything on my own. When the song writing process was really in full swing, I kept sending all the ideas to my long-time collaborators Tuomas Wäinölä [guitar] and Vili Ollila [keyboards], and this ingenious two-some came up with great additions and arrangements, one after another. Drummer Anssi Nykänen - who is simply a wizard behind his set - completed the line-up like no other."

Tracklisting:

"Stones"
"The Voice Of My Father"
"Star, Sand And Shadow"
"Dead God's Son"
"For You"
"I Am The Way"
"Runner Of The Railways"
"Death March For Freedom"
"I Dream"
"Truth Shall Set You Free"

"Runner Of The Railways" lyric video:

"The Voice Of My Father" lyric video:

"Stones" video:

Tour dates, with support from Oceanhorse, are as follows:

February
2 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
4 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
6 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
7 - Leipzig, Germany - der ANKER
8 - Wroclaw, Poland - Centrum Koncertowe A2
9 - Prague, Czech Republic - Roxy
11 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
13 - Stuttgart, Germany - Im Wizemann
14 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
16 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
17 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
18 - Paris, France - La Machine du Moulin Rouge

(Photo - Andrea Beckers)