Despite her light and shiny personality, Tarjas music has always been dressed in black the colour of heavy rock, of mystery and elegance. With this album, fans will find out what happens when a splice of colour is added to the mix. Or, better said, when the full colour spectrum enters the picture it does not cover the black but makes it shine through with many emotions and landscapes. Following up on the success of the multi-platinum and gold awarded previous records My Winterstorm (2007) and What Lies Beneath (2010), Tarja finally returns with a rock album Colours In The Dark. 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. With its grand orchestra and choir arrangements, Tarjas next milestone emphasises once again the impressive vocal range of the Finnish artist and shows her artistic growth. Take the lead single Victim Of Ritual for example. The song starts with an evocative snare-drum that sounds like it was coming from a mysterious place; the tender sound of an orchestra joins followed by a familiar and seductive melody played by an oboe. Tarjas voice is full of emotions and tender, before the song explodes into an epic, heavy chorus. The album takes you further, to the heavy 500 Letters with its mesmerising lyrics and comes to a gentle turning point at the end of the album. The only ballad Until Silence is full of emotions, hope and an impressive orchestral arrangement. The closing track, the epic Medusa, features Blue Octobers Justin Furstenfeld on vocals; its a mysterious and intense song in which both voices are driven by the sensual beat, pushing each other further and further. Colours In The Dark is definitely going to be one of the brightest moments for rock in 2013.