LIVE REVIEW: Tarja, Marko Hietala, Symphonity, /FORM Space, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 31/03/2025
If you had told any symphonic metal fan that two of the most known artists in this subgenre would be touring together again after nearly twenty years, you’d have been laughed at. Truth be told, very few people expected Tarja Turunen and Marko Hietala to rekindle their connection as former bandmates after such a long time, but then they released Left on Mars together last year, and they’ve been regularly performing together since then, in what’s now called the “Living the Dream Together” tour. Much to their fans’ delight, the duo decided to stop by in Romania, too, with a show in Cluj-Napoca alongside the obvious choice of capital city Bucharest, and what a night it was!
First up onstage were Symphonity, a Czech power metal band determined on filling everyone with their enthusiastic (and seemingly unrelenting) energy. Starting with Evening Star, the band quickly showed everyone in attendance their instrumental prowess. Seeing Martin ‘Marthus’ Skaroupka of Cradle of Filth fame behind the drums was a pleasant surprise, however – as anyone who has seen him perform knows, the man is a monster in the best way possible.
The band continued their set, even including a “phone flashlights lighting the venue” moment during power ballad Marco Polo Part 6: Dreaming of Home, and promptly concluded their five- song performance with the rousing Give Me Your Helping Hand before thanking everyone who showed up. A more than respectable start to what would inevitably become a memorable night! 8.5/10
Next up, after a short break, was the man himself, Marko Hietala. Opening with Frankenstein’s Wife, one of the leading singles for his latest album, everyone was delighted to see the singer-bass player in such an intimate venue, especially following his exit from the industry five years prior. It didn’t matter if it was your first time seeing him onstage, or your twenty fifth – the room simply roared when he stepped out, something which prompted the largest of smiles to appear on his face.
As the evening progressed, Marko addressed the crowd in his typically sardonic fashion, showing he never lost his edge as an entertainer during his artistic break. He spent most of the 10-song set going between newer numbers, such as the epic The Dragon Must Die or Impatient Zero, or older solo tracks Isäni ääni (The Voice of My Father) and Stones. Then, to the surprise of (some of!) the audience members, Tarja came out on stage to perform Left on Mars alongside her old bandmate. It was only then that the significance of the whole event was truly cemented for everyone there – the two sang together like no time had passed at all. Finally, following a spirited rendition of classic Black Sabbath song War Pigs, Marko and his band took a bow, before promising to return later that night. The only thing missing from an already amazing set was an acknowledgement of his work with Tarot, but hey, you can’t have them all, eh? 9.5/10
Finally, over three hours after the doors to /FORM Space had been opened, it was time for the Finnish soprano to take to the stage (once again). Launching into Eagle Eye and the setlist staple of Demons in You, Tarja showed everyone why her career has endured and continues to thrive. After some more songs, such as Undertaker and I Feel Immortal, the singer steps offstage for a brief moment, letting her band members – including long-time guitarist Alex Scholpp and the legendary Doug Wimbish with his indomitable swagger – solo their hearts out to end out Shadow Play.
Following a quick costume change, Tarja was joined by Marko once again, as the duo steps out on stage to perform a few staples from the last time they were in a band together. Starting with Dead to the World and then returning to that era with Planet Hell, the two singers healed every single Nightwish fan in attendance. During this part of the set, the two also tackled some of Tarja’s solo songs, including Dark Star and Dead Promises, before the soprano was once again alone for (no pun intended) I Walk Alone and Victim of Ritual.
To end the evening, Tarja and Marko sing one more song together, the bombastic Wish I Had an Angel, and then the former finishes that night’s set with Until My Last Breath. Some more thank yous later, everyone takes their final bow and quickly scampers off stage, allowing for the crew to come in and start dismantling everything. All we can say, really, is “wow”.
Actually, we’re lying, we can say one more thing. This particular reviewer would have gladly traded Planet Hell to finally hear these two sing their iconic Phantom of the Opera live, and it should have been made a permanent staple on this tour instead of an alternating song. Having said that, we are willing to forgive this transgression, should the duo return anytime soon and remedy this error. All jokes aside, from someone that was only five years old the last time you two toured together: kiitos paljon, Tarja and Marko. It truly was an incredible show. 9.5/10
Written by Florin Petrut
