Finnish singer and former Nightwish frontwoman Tarja is bringing the festive season early this year with the release of “Dark Christmas,” the sequel to her 2017 album “From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas),” on Nov. 10, 2023, via earMUSIC. Pre-order it here.
Using the sound of an orchestra and the playfulness of a children’s choir, Tarja blends her classically trained voice with darker gothic influences for an eerie, cinematic soundtrack to the world’s most beloved Christmas tunes.
The album features renditions of well-known Christmas carols, such as Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime,” classics such as “Jingle Bells,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” as well as Tarja’s new original song “Dark Christmas.”
“It was fascinating to dive into this new world,” Tarja said. “You will appreciate these Christmas songs with our spooky arrangements truly sound in a way they never did before. It was my pleasure to team up once again with Jim Dooley and Tim Palmer. I hope you will dig in our take of a Dark Christmas spirit.”
The release is accompanied by 12 music videos—one for each album song—as well as a full-length music feature film made available with Dolby Atmos immersive audio mix on all supporting platforms.
The album’s first single is “Frosty the Snowman,” with Tarja transforming the usually joyful song into a haunting winter ballad. Watch the video below.
“Dark Christmas” will be released on 1CD Digipak, 2LP (Gatefold, 180g, black), Ltd. Christmas Green Splatter 2LP (Gatefold, 180g) and on digital.
“Dark Christmas” track listing:
“The First Noel”
“Frosty the Snowman”
“Holy Night”
“Dark Christmas”
“Jingle Bell Rock”
“White Christmas”
“All I Want for Christmas Is You”
“Wonderful Christmastime”
“Last Christmas”
“Jingle Bells”
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
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