On May 16, 2025, Finnish symphonic metal legend Tarja Turunen dropped her new live album Circus Life via earMUSIC, capturing her extraordinary January 2020 concert in Bucharest, Romania. Recorded in a unique “in the round” format, the album delivers two hours of raw, unfiltered music, spanning Tarja’s solo career with hits like “I Walk Alone,” “Until My Last Breath,” and “Innocence,” alongside fan favorites such as “Victim Of Ritual” and “Demons In You.” The setlist highlights her evolution as an artist, featuring new arrangements crafted specifically for this show.
The performance, recorded in one take with no re-recordings, overdubs, or effects, showcases pure live energy from Tarja and her ensemble of 16 musicians, including her brother Toni, drawn from various stages of her career. A week prior, on May 9, Tarja released the live single “I Walk Alone (Live in Bucharest),” reflecting on its significance as a pillar of her repertoire and the inspiration for her fanbase name, “My Winter Storm.” Circus Life offers a unique experience for both longtime fans and newcomers, blending theatricality and emotional depth in a 100% live setting.