Watch Tarja's 'The Trace Outlives' Video

Official Announcement | Published: May 27, 2026 4:48 PM EDT

(Atom Splitter) Tarja releases "The Trace Outlives," the third single from her upcoming studio album Frisson Noir, which is set to arrive on June 12 - in less than three weeks. The track offers a glimpse into a more introspective and emotional side of Frisson Noir, while retaining the signature heaviness that defines Tarja's sound.

Inspired by the Japanese phenomenon of "Johatsu" people who deliberately disappear from their lives, "The Trace Outlives" tells a story of vanishing without a trace, exploring the emotional weight of leaving one's identity behind to start anew in anonymity, while reflecting on regret, freedom, and the invisible marks that remain even in absence. Rooted in this concept, the song also incorporates the sound of the shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument resembling a guitar but with a distinctly more percussive character, brought to life by the young talent Sayo Komada.

Musically, "The Trace Outlives" blends crushing heaviness with sweeping symphonic arrangements and operatic elements, staying true to the signature sound we know and love from Tarja, while elevating it to an entirely new level, making it feel like a bold and refined next chapter of her artistry.

"I was looking for a sound that would take me to Japan and found a beautiful ancient instrument that resembles a guitar, but has a more percussive sound - the shamisen, traditionally used in puppet theaters. I invited the young talent Sayo Komada to blend her art with my song," Tarja shares.

The official music video, released alongside the single today, brings the song's atmosphere vividly to life through a cinematic visual language, unfolding like a uniquely crafted love story shaped by tension, longing, and emotional depth. With its carefully developed narrative and striking imagery, it translates the track's intensity into a powerful on-screen experience, merging performance and storytelling into a compelling and immersive whole.