Marko Hietala – Roses from the Deep Review
By Twelve
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.
Of course, the reason for those high expectations is simple: Marko Hietala is a gifted, experienced musician, so it should come as no surprise that Roses from the Deep is a confident album with varied influences. 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.
This blend of styles means that Roses from the Deep has a lot of balance and strong flow as an album. For my part, I think it is a touch front-loaded, as the opening salvo of “Frankenstein’s Wife,” “Left on Mars,” and “Proud Whore” is a fantastic trio of bombastic symphonic power metal that speaks right to my preferences. Around the midpoint, another trio takes shape: “Dragon Must Die,” “Devil You Know,” and “Rebel of the North” are all traditional heavy metal rockers. I could argue that the album lags a touch here because it’s less my style, but it’s not like the talent falters—and it helps that it all sounds great, with Nykänen’s drums in particular packing quite the punch, making songs like “Dragon Must Die” hard-hitting triumphs. There are a couple of guest singers, too—Tarja Turunen in “Left on Mars” and Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (Northern Kings, Dark Sarah) on “Two Soldiers,” both of whom add dimension and feeling to their songs. The variety is welcome and makes the hour fly by.
As a longtime fan of Hietala’s work, what is far and away the coolest thing about Roses from the Deep is the way it seems to draw on his full breadth of experience as a musician and a songwriter. It may be that I’m making up connections where none exist, but it really does feel like this album is what would happen if Nightwish and Tarot somehow had a baby and named Northern Kings godfather. “Impatient Zero” and “Proud Whore” would find happy homes on Suffer Our Pleasures and Gravity of Light; “Two Soldiers” could sneak into Rethroned or even Dark Passion Play; many of the more traditional metal numbers like “Rebel of the North” remind me of The Spell of Iron MMXI; and “Roses from the Deep” feels like the spiritual successor to “Gone,” but wouldn’t be so out of place on Endless Forms Most Beautiful. Of course, this assumes you ignore the modern polish the production offers, but it still marks a uniquely interesting listening experience for someone who still listens to For the Glory of Nothing on a semi-regular basis.1
I guess that means I’m a bit biased, but there’s just so much to like about Roses from the Deep—strong songwriting, great lyrics, and confident performances from experienced musicians who bring their all to each song. Marko Hietala’s talents are as strong as ever. Roses from the Deep is at times fun, heavy, beautiful, and catchy. More importantly, it balances each of these traits gracefully. You don’t get bored listening to Hietala play here, because there’s always something new around the corner, making this a truly exciting album from a genuine metal artist.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: ~260 kbps VBR mp3
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Websites: markohietala.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/markohietalaofficial
Releases Worldwide: February 7th, 2025
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