Review MARKO HIETALA “Roses From the Deep”

Most of you know Marko Hietala from his time with symphonic metal icons Nightwish. He was part of the band for many years as bassist and also contributed to the songwriting. Hietala left Nightwish in 2021 and released his first solo album “Mustan sydämen rovio” even before the split. That was back in 2019 and the album was later re-released as “Pyre of the Black Heart”.

With “Roses from the Deep” the next longplayer is ready to be shipped to the record stores and it opens a new chapter for the great bass player. Having just finished a European tour as special guest of Tarja, the new songs show the whole range of Hietala’s approach to music.

Having mentioned Tarja, let’s start with “Left on Mars”. The song contains a guest appearance of the former Nightwish singer. Tarja and Hietala share the vocals which gives the song a special dynamic as both voices harmonize in a great way. With a bombastic sound the song has something special and shines brightly. It is a highlight of the album and a great piece of music.

“Left on Mars” is the second song on the album and follows the pounding opener “Frankenstein’s Wife”. The track is rich in melody and alternates between a calmer verse and a perfect chorus. I was reminded of Alice Cooper in the 80s the first time I heard this song.

Hietala has a broader approach to music and “Proud Whore” expresses this in a good way. It is definitely one of the more complex songs on the album. With a darker vibe, the tune comes with some classic rock elements but also refers to some grunge bands like Soundgarden.

After such a vigorous start, the album also needs a calmer moment. “Two Soldiers”, featuring J-P Leppäluoto with his deep voice, is an emotional song with the two voices representing the protagonists in a good way.

And just in case you think you have explored all the twists and turns on this album, “Dragon Must Die” will prove you wrong. The song comes with some very present Irish influences and is a cinematic anthem that musically paints a picture of the rough and green landscapes of the island.

“Roses from the Deep” as a whole is a very versatile album, yet it follows a common vision when it comes to music. There is the pounding and rather heavy “The Devil You Know”, a slower paced stomper that immediately blossoms. There isn’t any weak spot on this album, which means that songs like the dramatic “Impatient Zero” and the following “Tammikuu” with its Finnish vocals are well forged tunes that thrill the listeners.

Last but not least the title track. “Roses from the Deep” is the finale of the album and we listen to a song that starts quietly and very soulfully. Although the song builds as it progresses, it remains a touching piece of music that unveils great soundscapes. It is an anthemic and melodic masterpiece that was rightly chosen as the album’s name-giver.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Marko Hietala’s sophomore solo album. After listening to the first songs it was clear that this album is a sublime next step for Hietala and his solo career. The album shows great versatility and has no weak moments. The melodies allow the listener to dive into these songs from the first time spinning this longplayer and there is still enough to explore to make the album a longtime entertaining experience.