In support of her forthcoming new studio album, entitled Colours In The Dark, former NIGHTWISH vocalist TARJA TURUNEN answers fan questions below:

earMUSIC recently announced the release of Tarja's new single, 'Victim Of Ritual'.

A teaser clip for the single is now available:

Inspired by the one-movement orchestral piece ‘Boléro’ by Maurice Ravel, the almost six minutes long ‘Victim Of Ritual’ is the first single from Tarja’s forthcoming album, Colours In The Dark. The song will be released as download, CD single and 7” vinyl on July 12th via earMUSIC.

Both physical releases will surely become rare collector’s items, being made available in strictly limited quantities. The 4-songs digipak CD-single is limited to 3,000 copies worldwide, whereas the 2-track 7” vinyl is limited to only 1,500 units worldwide. A video for ‘Victim Of Ritual’ is also scheduled for July.

Single tracklisting:

7" vinyl:

Side A: 'Victim Of Ritual'

Side B: 'Victim Of Ritual' (First Demo)

Maxi Single:

'Victim Of Ritual'

'Victim Of Ritual' (First Demo)

'I Walk Alone' (Live From Luna Park)

'Underneath' (Live From Luna Park)

Pre-order at this location.

Tarja will release her new album, Colours In The Dark, on August 23rd in Europe, and on August 27th in North America, via earMUSIC. A lyric video for the first single called 'Never Enough' can be viewed/heard below.

Check out the cover artwork created by Dirk Rudolph below:

Limited Edition Box Set Cover Artwork:

Special Edition Cover Artwork:

Regular edition artwork:

Mixed and mastered by Tim Palmer in Austin, Texas (PEARL JAM, U2), the songs on Colours In The Dark do not shy away from taking a risk and surprising musical turns, introducing new sounds and new musical atmospheres. Still, they maintain a heaviness that will surely bring a big smile to the hardest of rockers. With its grand orchestra and choir arrangements, Tarja’s next milestone emphasises once again the impressive vocal range of the Finnish artist and shows her artistic growth. With ten brand new songs and over one hour of music, Colours In The Dark is definitely going to be one of the brightest moments for rock in 2013.

Tarja's Colours In The Road 2013 tour dates:

October

17 - Hala University Palackeho - Olomouc, Czech Republic
19 - Huxleys - Berlin, Germany
20 - Metal Female Voices Festival - Wieze, Belgium
22 - Docks - Hamburg, Germany
23 - FZW - Dortmund, Germany
25 - Festhalle Durlach - Karlsruhe, Germany
26 - Backstage Werk - Munich, Germany
27 - Arena - Wien, Austria
29 - Z7 Konzertfabrik - Pratteln, Switzerland
30 - Loewensaal - Nuremberg, Germany

November

1 - Haus Auensee - Leipzig, Germany
2 - Gloria - Cologne, Germany
9 - Klub Studio - Kraków, Poland
10 - Klub Wytwórnia - Lodz, Poland
12 - Mega Club - Katowice, Poland
13 - Palladium - Warsaw, Poland