Sometimes you worry on first listen. I will be the first to say that Frankenstein’s Wife, the opening track on Roses From The Deep, the second solo record from Finnish bassist, singer and songwriter Marko Hietala, did not initially fill me with enthusiasm for what was to come. But repeated listens, not only of this first song, provided a right earworm that buried in deep, and despite the slightly over the top vocals, it soon proved to be the first salvo of high quality melodic hard rock.
Marko Hietala – Roses From The Deep (Nuclear Blast Records)
Release Date: 7 January 2025
Words: Paul Hutchings
Roses From The Deep is far from a one-trick pony. As you navigate your way through the former Nightwish man’s latest offering, you will discover some deliciously layered and complex tracks that flow in an organic way, held together by clever musicianship and songwriting.
Indeed, by the time you have played this a few times, you should be deep in admiration for a complex and beautifully crafted release that flows with surprising cohesion as it winds a dynamic path from start to finish.
Of course, there is an element of symphonic extravagance, and nowhere is that more apparent than on Left On Mars, where the guest vocals of Tarja Turunen add a special twist to the proceedings. This is followed by the grunge-filled stomp of Proud Whore, featuring some glorious lead work from Tuomas Wäinölä.
Three tracks in, and all completely different, proving the eclectic nature of Hietala’s songwriting skills. The lyrics throughout the album are dark and introspective, whilst the sweeping soundscapes are suited for cinematic productions.
It is probably the variation that is maintained throughout the record which makes Roses From The Deep such an attractive listen. This is a kaleidoscopic avalanche of genres, ranging from folk to progressive rock that blend with huge emotive passages of Symphonic Metal.
Storytelling is the essence of the tracks, and nowhere is that more evident than in Two Soldiers, which is the soundtrack to a deep and meaningful film.
Every album needs that central lynchpin and Dragon Must Die is the song here. A massive eight-minute epic, it stands tall and proud in the centre of the album, a fusion of Folk Metal with a rolling narrative that is compelling. Yes, it’s big, opening with a burst of percussion before building with great sweeping movements and a hook on the chorus big enough to catch Moby Dick. It is going to be a marmite moment for newcomers, but there is some deeper meaning within the lyrics – it is not a sword and sorcery song, for sure.
As you journey through the record, you will be presented with a smorgasbord of sounds that paint a glorious rainbow of colours. The anthem of Rebel Of The North gets under the skin and had me pumping my fist in the air.
The recent single Impatient Zero, with its dramatic and compulsive video, is described by Hietala as being “a battle for being under a continuous assault of inner monsters. And the awful truth, that in this reality, people get to see those monsters, too, instead of the real face.”
Closing out the release we get the emotional title track, which sees string sections provide a dramatic backdrop to possibly the vocal performance of the whole release. A ballad crammed with sentiment and passion, it is delicately crafted, and smoulders gently, and features some of the best guitar work on the album.
Critical acclaim followed Pyre Of The Black Heart in 2020, and I see no reason why Roses from The Deep will not receive similar acknowledgement.
It is a grower. Spend time with it and appreciate the breadth of performances throughout. At times, it catches the breath. Yes, there are moments of overt symphonic extravagance here, but I have come to adore some tracks with the title track just magnificent in every aspect. A fine album indeed.
