If Doro is the Queen of Heavy Metal, then Tarja is the Queen of both Power and Symphonic Metal. Her latest live album Luna Park Ride (Universal Records) is proof that she is deserving of the title. The tracks are a full sampling of both her solo career and her career with Nightwish which lasted from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.
This concert takes place in Buenos Aires for the most part. Although far from her native Finland, her fan base is still large and they make their excitement to be there heard; it can sometimes be an interference with the sound quality of the album. In the first few songs it sounds as though there are fans yelling right next to the recording equipment. However, this is the only serious complaint about an otherwise fantastic live performance.
‘Dark Star’ starts the show off with the right energy. It is also the only track that features vocals from someone other than Tarja which makes it clear that it is very much her show. ‘Stargazers’ is one of the heavier songs performed during the show probably because it is a Nightwish song. It reminds listeners that Tarja can work with any kind of sound. The strings during ‘In For a Kill’ nail the sinister and panicked feeling of the song. It is clear that her backing band knows exactly how to work with her.
The most fun the listener has during the album is close to the end with a medley of ‘Where Were You Last Night’, ‘Heaven Is a Place on Earth’, and ‘Living on a Prayer’. They blend together seamlessly and it is almost surprising just how well it is pulled off. It feels more spontaneous than planned and that is what makes it enjoyable. This is also where Tarja begins really to interact with her audience telling them to “really have some fun” and speaking to them in Spanish.
Even without Nightwish, whom many credit with establishing symphonic metal, Tarja’s popularity has not wavered. Her voice remains as strong and impressive as ever. Luna Park Ride is a great addition to the music library of any symphonic metal and female vocalist fan.
8.5/10
MELISSA CAMPBELL