Roses from the Deep
An update from the road, by Tuomas Wäinölä.
We're riding back home from a gig in Kuopio with a festive atmosphere. On Friday, our Marko Hietala band finally released a second album, Roses from the Deep. Just like on the previous album Mustan sydämen rovio / Pyre of the Black Heart, I served as the producer and a songwriter for this record—and this time also as the lyricist on the track Two Soldiers.
Four video singles from the album have already been released; among them, the duet Left on Mars with Tarja Turunen (which has reached 2.5 million video views and was voted the 35th best heavy song of 2024 by Kerrang! Magazine’s voters) has arguably attracted the most attention, though the other singles have also been very well received. Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, and fans are satisfied—judging by social media buzz, messaging, and the response on our gigs.
I’m proud of the album, and it feels like there are also good signs in the air. We kicked off our album promo tour this past weekend at the sold-out Finlandia Club in Lahti and the Sawohouse Underground in Kuopio, where we delivered over a two-hour show powered by wild encouragement. Our next gig will be at Tavastia (tickets are still available, as well as for Savonlinna’s House of Olavi this Thursday), and the last two—Tampere’s Olympia and Turku’s Logomo Teatro—are also already sold out.
Our set includes a bit of the old, a lot of new, a TV-entertainment piece, as well as a retrospective section featuring milestone bands from Marko’s history. The amazing Noora Louhimo will deliver the female vocal parts throughout the entire set, with an unmatched presence!
Even though the album’s songwriting sessions for Roses from the Deep started quite early in late 2022, the album itself was ultimately put together in a mad rush during the summer of 2023—in order to then spend a usual 1.5 years waiting for release in the hallowed halls of Nuclear Blast. The streamlined production process still went very well, and I’m delighted that both reviews and listeners have noted this side: in my view, the album has its own sound rooted in the band’s live-in-the-studio playing, along with strong ideals regarding sound and production.
The huge room sound of Sunbeam Imperial Studio elevates Anssi Nykänen’s drums, and the guitars, organs, piano, and vocals were recorded using tons of real instruments, analog gear, quality microphones, top-notch preamps, and outboard equipment without holding back—and of course, our vintage synth arsenal was put to heavy use. We finally got to try out the gang backing vox sound with some incredible vocalists—a sound I’ve dreamed of for a long time—and Vili’s arrangements, with Budapest’s string section, sounded magnificent. Such production values reminiscent of ancient times and pure human energy have likely resonated with the listeners. Best of all, Jesse Vainio’s luxurious mix makes everything sound coherent and free.
Thank you to everyone involved in making this album!
Some bits from the press:
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1. Blabbermouth.net – “Marko Hietala – Roses From The Deep” (Rating: 7.5/10)
“There are few things more inspiring than watching someone conquer their demons and soar. When Marko Hietala quit NIGHTWISH at the tail end of 2020, citing a decade of deteriorating mental health as motivation to change course, he seemed ready to disappear into the shadows. No one seriously expected him to vanish forever, but his return to active duty was a little tentative at first. Five years on, he is fucking flying. His first solo album ‘Pyre Of The Black Heart’ outlined a bold and versatile vision, and Roses From The Deep makes it plain that Hietala is thriving. The album’s dynamic arrangements—from the turbo‐charged opener “Frankenstein’s Wife” to the explosive eight‐minute epic “Dragon Must Die”—showcase a man who’s back with an unmistakable intensity.”
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2. Prog – “Marko Hietala blends love and instinct on Roses From The Deep” (By Paul Travers)
“His vocals were often trammelled in Nightwish… but here he lets loose throughout”: Marko Hietala blends love and instinct on Roses From The Deep.
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3. The K! Pit / Music, Culture, Reviews – “Album review: Marko Hietala – Roses From The Deep” (By Steve Beebee, February 4, 2025)
That day, January 12, 2021, was not a happy one. To the shock of just about everyone, Nightwish’s longtime bassist and co‐vocalist Marko Hietala announced he was leaving the Finnish symphonic metal juggernaut. What made it particularly sad was the main reason: his mental health. The fact that a man as smart, wise‐cracking and apparently confident as Marko could be suffering in this way was a wake‐up call that we should assume nothing about anyone we know.
Some years later, and with much water under the bridge, Marko has rejoined the music world, releasing an album that substantially betters his only other solo release, 2020’s perfectly decent Pyre Of The Black Heart. Here, he does heavy rock with heart – nothing here is formula, but nearly all of it shines, hope arising from fear, melody from heft.
Opener Frankenstein’s Bride is a solidly tasty aperitif for what’s to come, The Devil You Know and Two Soldiers adding drama and soul, with Marko’s voice, inevitably overshadowed in his previous job, turning out to be a truly remarkable instrument.
He teams up with original Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen – a building of bridges we never thought we’d see – on the exceptional Left On Mars, but even that is overshadowed by the spectacular Dragon Must Die. It’s layered, it’s heavy, it’s symphonic and it’s got folk and metallic influences in generous droves. Without a doubt this eight‐minute epic is the best thing Marko’s done outside of Nightwish. This album also showcases the full‐length version of anthemic ear candy Impatient Zero, the shorter version of which has been a hit on rock radio.
Irrespective of his storied past, what matters most today is that this wonderful musician, singer and writer, this enjoyably eccentric metal Gandalf, is back with us in the way that works for him. Roses From The Deep is better than any of us could have expected.
Verdict: 4/5
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4. Chaoszine – “The certainty of quality that never fades – review of Marko Hietala’s upcoming album ‘Roses from the Deep’” (By Benedetta Baldin, December 27, 2024)
“If you’ve already enjoyed the singles ‘Left on Mars’ (with Tarja), ‘Frankenstein’s Wife’ and ‘Impatient Zero’, you’re going to love even more the rest of the tracks. … The beautiful duet with Tuomas Wäinölä on ‘Two Soldiers’ or the title track ‘Roses from the Deep’ highlight his depth and expressivity. But if you prefer his metal side, don’t worry, he has everything squared out: the mesmerizing suite ‘Dragon Must Die’ … Hietala sings in English for the whole album except for ‘Tammikuu’ (which means January) and this is another point that goes in his favour to seal the grandiosity of the record. As a true professional, he is providing us with a high‐quality product, with mixing, mastering and production done flawlessly.”
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5. GRIMM Gent – “Marko Hietala – Roses From The Deep” (By Anna Brödel, February 8, 2025)
I've been a fan of Marko Hietala for a while, as I absolutely adore his voice and the range of emotions it can convey. And while I wasn't so sure when I first heard the first single of the record, “Left on Mars”, I just had to check out Marko's newest work.
The album starts with the catchy “Frankenstein’s Wife”. Right from the start, Marko shows us how much he can convey just with the tone of his voice. There are parts where he sounds tender and loving, and in others he sounds almost a bit insane and twisted. Generally the song has a strong 80s rock vibe and I think it’s a rather nice song that probably is gonna live rent‐free for a while after I’m done writing this review.
Next up is “Left on Mars”, a duet between Marko and his old bandmate Tarja Turunen. As already mentioned, I wasn’t quite sure about this song when I first heard it live during the summer. Nevertheless, it is still nice to hear these two together again, as their voices do work nicely with each other, and it’s also nice to see that time really can heal a lot of wounds.
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The last track of the record, “Roses from the Deep”, starts slow and soulful, mainly focusing on Marko’s vocals only supported by acoustic guitar and backing strings. The song slowly progresses while building up in intensity. Yet it retains its heartfelt atmosphere. The song provides a very powerful and satisfying ending to this epic album.
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6. Dead Rhetoric – “Album Review: Marko Hietala – Roses From the Deep” (By Matt Coe, February 5, 2025)
Officially leaving Nightwish in 2021 to prevent further personal difficulties (including depression) from worsening, Finnish musician Marko Hietala continues to pursue his own creative endeavors through his solo records. Roses From the Deep is the second such outing – a follow-up to Pyre Of The Black Heart that came out in early 2020, showcasing the man’s songwriting and stylistic prowess across multiple genres of rock and metal.
There’s a steady stream of versatility present track by track that encompasses the more symphonic/gothic side of his influences right away on the anthem-like first cut “Frankenstein’s Wife” which soon shifts into a more progressive, early 90’s Queensrÿche-ish meets 70s Led Zeppelin-like direction on the follow-up “Left on Mars” featuring Tarja Turunen delivering a stunning trade-off duet for the ages. Explorative passages come into focus on “Dragon Must Die” – an eight-minute plus epic that contains Celtic/folk overtones next to normal rock/metal instrumentation, the atmosphere throughout dramatic in lighter or heavier measures to keep ears pinned as well as the crunchier midsection next to Marko’s forward thinking bass work. His Finnish heritage also factors in for “Tammikuu” – the bright keyboards next to the driving guitar work ideal to match the theatrical vocal melodies on display.
Marko’s history has always dipped into a mixture of progressive, folk, symphonic, and gothic influences from older rock to classic/current metal categories. It’s why you’ll get to enjoy a straightforward track like “Proud Whore” where the slower, bluesy verses build to this uplifting chorus featuring multi-part choir action, all the way to a riff-oriented pleaser with “Impatient Zero” that allows plenty of guitar shred fury to infiltrate the instrumental break sequence. Ending on a reflective quieter note with the title track, the musicians assembled execute these songs in a professional manner, no matter what style changes or feel is thrown at them.
If you are familiar with Marko’s history not just with Nightwish, but also his time in Tarot or guest work in Ayreon and Delain, you’ll easily understand the man has many sides to express in his music. Roses From the Deep presents a magnificent selection of songs where the minor touches matter as much as the rich melodies or large hooks on display. This scribe can’t wait to hear what appears next down the line.
OUR RATING: 8.5 / 10.
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7. Markus' Heavy Music Blog – “Review MARKO HIETALA ‘Roses From the Deep’” (By mwie68, February 2025)
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.
Rating: 8 out of 10
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8. Angry Metal Guy – “Marko Hietala – Roses from the Deep Review” (By Twelve, February 4, 2025)
Marko Hietala doesn’t need much of an introduction. Active in the Finnish metal scene since 1982 and in the international scene since 2001, his distinctive singing voice, expansive songwriting, and “we don’t need a second guitarist because I have this thing” approach to playing bass set him apart from a great many musicians. Since departing Nightwish in 2021, he’s reconnected with several past projects, from Raskasta Joulua to Northern Kings to Tarot—and then back to his own solo work. Roses from the Deep marks Hietala’s return to his own songwriting, following 2019’s Mustan sydämen rovio. Joined by Tuomas Wäinölä (guitars, Kotipelto), Anssi Nykänen (drums), and Vili Ollila (keys, Northern Kings and Raskasta Joulua), Hietala’s sophomore solo comes with a whole lot of talent… and very high expectations too.
Across ten songs and fifty‐four minutes, Roses from the Deep treads traditional and symphonic metal territories, with folk and orchestral influences generously scattered in. Most of the choruses are huge, bombastic, get‐stuck‐in‐your‐head‐forever types, with “Frankenstein’s Wife” and “Proud Whore” having the catchiest of the bunch. The riffs are loud and nearly as catchy, with songs like “Dragon Must Die” and, especially, “Rebel of the North” enhancing Hietala’s heaviest of singing styles. Then, in the breaks between the bangers, Roses from the Deep offers somber, acoustic‐orchestral songs in the title track and the beautifully earnest “Two Soldiers.” No matter where Marko Hietala treads, he finds solid ground—a nod to the superb performances, production, and songwriting on display.
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9. Bear Wiseman – “MUSIC REVIEW: Marko Hietala – ‘Roses from the Deep’” (January 31, 2025)
At this point, I’m genuinely willing to consider Marko Hietala and Tuomas Wäinölä to be a song-writing dream-team. Marko’s one of those guys who’s heard it all and isn’t very impressed by new music, so you know that he’s going to keep it fresh and interesting, while Tuomas seems to be some sort of guitar-line-writing genius, always making me feel like I’m hearing something kickass and awesome that likewise feels fresh and new. I recall, even on the last album, that the guitar work was spectacular and I was very impressed. I, too, feel like I’ve heard it all a thousand times over, so when I hear these tasty guitar lines mixed with tasty bass lines, wrapped up in killer vocals, with rock solid drum beats, and alluring keyboard/synth riffs… I couldn’t be more delighted. I don’t really have any notes, not even in the mix—the whole thing feels really good all around. I expect “Roses from the Deep” to be one of my most-played albums this year.
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Raakaa dataa levystä kiinnostuneille:
TRACK LISTING
Frankenstein’s Wife – 5:25
Left on Mars – 5:01
Proud Whore – 5:02
Two Soldiers – 4:51
Dragon Must Die – 8:13
The Devil You Know – 4:23
Rebel of the North – 4:00
Impatient Zero – 5:59
Tammikuu – 4:34
Roses from the Deep – 6:31
BAND & PERSONNEL
Band Members (Instruments):
Marko Hietala: Vocals, Bass, Dobro, 12-String Guitar
Tuomas Wäinölä: Guitars, Synths, Programming, Background Vocals, Percussion
Anssi Nykänen: Drums, Percussion
Vili Ollila: Piano, Hammond Organ, Synths
Additional Instruments / Vocals:
Tarja Turunen: Vocals
J.P. Leppäluoto: Vocals
James Lascelles: Spoken Word (Two Soldiers)
Ilja Jalkanen: Background Vocals
Kimmo Härmä: Background Vocals
Ilari Hämäläinen: Background Vocals
Elina Hjelt: Background Vocals
Pasi Rantanen: Background Vocals
Budapest Art Orchestra: Strings
PRODUCTION & RECORDING CREDITS
Recorded at: Sunbeam Imperial Studio
Date of Recording: 6th – 29th of August 2023
Produced by: Tuomas Wäinölä
Engineered by: Elmo Syrjäläinen (Mikko Raita 3 Drum Tracks)
Mixed by: Jesse Vainio
Mastered by: Svante Forsbäck
Cover Artwork by: Herttakaisa Herkkola
Layout by: Herttakaisa Herkkola
Label: Nuclear Blast
Management: Grey Beard
WRITING CREDITS
Frankenstein’s Wife
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer, Lyrics)
Vili Ollila (Composer)
James Lascelles (Lyrics)
Left on Mars
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer)
Vili Ollila (Composer)
James Lascelles (Lyrics)
Proud Whore
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer)
Vili Ollila (Composer)
Two Soldiers
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer, Lyrics)
Vili Ollila (Composer)
James Lascelles (Lyrics)
The Dragon Must Die
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer)
Vili Ollila (Composer)
The Devil You Know
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer, Lyrics)
Vili Ollila (Composer)
Rebel of the North
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer)
Vili Ollila (Composer)
Impatient Zero
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer)
Vili Ollila (Composer)
Tammikuu
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer)
Vili Ollila (Composer)
Roses from the Deep
Marko Hietala (Composer, Lyrics)
Tuomas Wäinölä (Composer)
Vili Ollila (Composer)