Tarot (band)
Encyclopedia
Tarot is a heavy metal
band from Finland
. They are most famous for the song “Wings of Darkness” from the 1986 album Spell of Iron
. While having enjoyed a broad underground popularity in Finland, the band has never been very famous elsewhere until gaining new success in the recent years when their singer and bassist Marco Hietala
joined Nightwish
in 2002.
" single saw the daylight in April 1986 and in December that same year Tarot released their first full length album Spell of Iron
. In April 1988, following the release of a single Rose on the Grave
, their second album Follow Me Into Madness
was released.
came out in February 1993. Tarot received good publicity in Japan, making their first live album to be released as a Japanese special edition in November 1994. The live album was recorded at Tavastia Club, Helsinki in August 1994. Some of the songs from the live album were released the following year on a limited edition bonus CD with the next studio album, Stigmata
. To Live Forever was remixed and re-released in 2006 together with all the previous albums.
came out in 1998. Shining Black, a Tarot compilation album, came out in Japan in December 1998. While Tarot was inactive, Marco also played in Conquest and Sinergy
. Together with other members of Conquest, Marco played cover songs under the name “Metal Gods”. Marco became a member of Nightwish in 2001. Janne Tolsa played the keyboards for Virtuocity’s Secret Visions album as Marco sang a few songs on it. In summer 2002 Tarot played a special 80’s gig in Kuopio, playing material only from the first two albums.
and the new studio album Suffer Our Pleasures
was released. While the album did well in Finland, it was barely noticed elsewhere.
and toured with industrial metal band Turmion Kätilöt
.
Early spring 2006, Tarot's earlier label Bluelight Records released a collection of the band’s first six albums remastered with a large amount of bonus material, unreleased demos, live and special versions of the songs and some covers. Some of the albums were also remixed.
The fans had been expecting the re-releases for years and the collection was so successful that in May 2006 when Tarot released the new single "You
", it made number one on the Finnish charts for the first time in the history of the band. During that time, the band formalized their long-time roadie/backing vocalist Tommi “Tuple” Salmela as a band member after being with the band for more than a decade.
Early 2006, Tarot was signed to KingFoo Entertainment in Finland, with Nuclear Blast
covering the rest of Europe. During summer of 2006, the band not only toured various clubs and festivals but also composed, demoed and recorded new material. The album Crows Fly Black
was released in October 2006.
On June 11, 2008, Tarot released their first live DVD, Undead Indeed
. The DVD also had a live album counterpart. They followed the release with a short tour in support of Undead Indeed, which began January 30, 2009.
" was released in Finland on March 10, 2010, in Europe on April 23, 2010, the UK on April 26, 2010, and in the US on June 8, 2010.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. They are most famous for the song “Wings of Darkness” from the 1986 album Spell of Iron
Spell of Iron
Spell of Iron is the first album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1986 by Flamingo Music. Spell of Iron has been released on CD in 1994 by Bluelight Records, and a remastered version was released in 2006 by Spinefarm Records...
. While having enjoyed a broad underground popularity in Finland, the band has never been very famous elsewhere until gaining new success in the recent years when their singer and bassist Marco Hietala
Marco Hietala
Marko Tapani "Marco" Hietala is a heavy metal vocalist and bassist. Internationally, he is most known as the current bassist, male vocalist and composer, of the symphonic metal band Nightwish...
joined Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
in 2002.
Formation and Early years (1982-1984)
Tarot was originally formed by the Hietala brothers in the early 80's. Back then the band’s name was called “Purgatory”. As Purgatory reached the point when they got the record deal, the label wanted them to change their name. Since then the band has been known as Tarot. The line-up settled in to the form of Marco Hietala (bass/vocals), Zachary Hietala (guitars), Mako H (guitars) and Pecu Cinnari (drums).The beginning (1986-1988)
The "Wings of DarknessWings of Darkness
"Wings of Darkness" is the first single release from Tarot's first studio album Spell of Iron. It was released in 1986.- Line-up :* Marco Hietala - vocals, backing vocals, bass and synthesizer* Zachary Hietala - lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
" single saw the daylight in April 1986 and in December that same year Tarot released their first full length album Spell of Iron
Spell of Iron
Spell of Iron is the first album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1986 by Flamingo Music. Spell of Iron has been released on CD in 1994 by Bluelight Records, and a remastered version was released in 2006 by Spinefarm Records...
. In April 1988, following the release of a single Rose on the Grave
Rose on the Grave
"Rose on the Grave" is the first single release from Tarot's second studio album Follow Me into Madness....
, their second album Follow Me Into Madness
Follow Me into Madness
Follow Me Into Madness is the second album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1988 by Bluelight Records. A remastered version was released in 2006 by Spinefarm Records. Rose On The Grave was released as a single in 1988...
was released.
"To Live Forever" and "Stigmata" (1989-1996)
After the second album there was a hiatus in the band. During this “vacation” the line-up changed a little bit and a keyboardist was added to the band as Janne Tolsa joined Tarot and replaced the second guitarist Mako H. After long preparation, the third album To Live ForeverTo Live Forever
To Live Forever is the third album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1993 by Bluelight Records. It is also the first album to feature the band's new keyboardist, Janne Tolsa, who has replaced former guitarist Mako H...
came out in February 1993. Tarot received good publicity in Japan, making their first live album to be released as a Japanese special edition in November 1994. The live album was recorded at Tavastia Club, Helsinki in August 1994. Some of the songs from the live album were released the following year on a limited edition bonus CD with the next studio album, Stigmata
Stigmata (Tarot album)
Stigmata is the fourth album by Finnish heavy metal band Tarot, released in 1995 by Bluelight Records. A remastered edition with bonus tracks was released in 2006 by Blastic Heaven.-Track listing: Disk One:# Angels of Pain - 3:55# E.T.I - 7:08...
. To Live Forever was remixed and re-released in 2006 together with all the previous albums.
"For the Glory of Nothing" and hiatus (1997-2002)
Much anticipated For the Glory of NothingFor the Glory of Nothing
For The Glory Of Nothing is the fifth album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1998 by Blastic Heaven. The album saw the guest musicialship of Timo Kotipelto of Stratovarius, appearing as a backing vocalist on the song "Warhead".-Track listing:...
came out in 1998. Shining Black, a Tarot compilation album, came out in Japan in December 1998. While Tarot was inactive, Marco also played in Conquest and Sinergy
Sinergy
Sinergy was a Finnish power metal band started in 1998 by American musician, Kimberly Goss. Aside from Sinergy, the most notable bands Goss has been involved with are Dimmu Borgir; as keyboardist, and Children of Bodom; where she filled in live for Janne Wirman and also contributed lyrics...
. Together with other members of Conquest, Marco played cover songs under the name “Metal Gods”. Marco became a member of Nightwish in 2001. Janne Tolsa played the keyboards for Virtuocity’s Secret Visions album as Marco sang a few songs on it. In summer 2002 Tarot played a special 80’s gig in Kuopio, playing material only from the first two albums.
"Suffer Our Pleasures" (2003)
In March 2003, Shining Black compilation was released again in the rest of the world. Tarot signed a new record deal with Spinefarm RecordsSpinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records is a Finland-based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. In 1999, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent...
and the new studio album Suffer Our Pleasures
Suffer Our Pleasures
Suffer Our Pleasures is the sixth album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 2003 by Spinefarm Records.-Track listing:#I Rule - 3:49#Pyre of Gods - 4:33#Rider of the Last Day - 6:47#Follow the Blind - 4:33#Undead Son - 4:04...
was released. While the album did well in Finland, it was barely noticed elsewhere.
Hiatus, remixes and comeback (2004–2008)
During these years Marco kept busy with his other band Nightwish by recording and touring around the world. Janne worked on an album with Eternal Tears of SorrowEternal Tears of Sorrow
Eternal Tears of Sorrow is a Finnish symphonic death metal band formed in Pudasjärvi in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland...
and toured with industrial metal band Turmion Kätilöt
Turmion Kätilöt
Turmion Kätilöt is a Finnish industrial metal band founded in 2003 by MC Raaka Pee and DJ Vastapallo, who until the latter's departure, were the only studio lineup...
.
Early spring 2006, Tarot's earlier label Bluelight Records released a collection of the band’s first six albums remastered with a large amount of bonus material, unreleased demos, live and special versions of the songs and some covers. Some of the albums were also remixed.
The fans had been expecting the re-releases for years and the collection was so successful that in May 2006 when Tarot released the new single "You
You (Tarot single)
"You" is the only single release from Tarot's seventh studio album Crows Fly Black.-Chart performance:...
", it made number one on the Finnish charts for the first time in the history of the band. During that time, the band formalized their long-time roadie/backing vocalist Tommi “Tuple” Salmela as a band member after being with the band for more than a decade.
Early 2006, Tarot was signed to KingFoo Entertainment in Finland, with Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
covering the rest of Europe. During summer of 2006, the band not only toured various clubs and festivals but also composed, demoed and recorded new material. The album Crows Fly Black
Crows Fly Black
Crows Fly Black is the seventh album by Finnish heavy metal band Tarot, released October 27, 2006. This album is accompanied by the single 'You', and the music video 'Ashes to the Stars'...
was released in October 2006.
On June 11, 2008, Tarot released their first live DVD, Undead Indeed
Undead Indeed
Undead Indeed is the first live DVD/2CD by Finnish heavy metal band Tarot. It was recorded in Rupla club, Kuopio, Finland on the 17th of August 2007...
. The DVD also had a live album counterpart. They followed the release with a short tour in support of Undead Indeed, which began January 30, 2009.
Gravity of Light (2009-)
Their new album, entitled "Gravity of LightGravity of Light
Gravity of Light is the eighth studio album by the Finnish heavy metal band, Tarot. It was released in Finland on March 10, 2010 and is scheduled to be released in Europe on April 23, 2010 and in the US on June 8, 2010.-Track Listing :...
" was released in Finland on March 10, 2010, in Europe on April 23, 2010, the UK on April 26, 2010, and in the US on June 8, 2010.
Current members
- Marco HietalaMarco HietalaMarko Tapani "Marco" Hietala is a heavy metal vocalist and bassist. Internationally, he is most known as the current bassist, male vocalist and composer, of the symphonic metal band Nightwish...
– lead and backing vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, acoustic guitarsSteel-string acoustic guitarA steel-string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound...
(1986-) - Zachary HietalaZachary HietalaSakari "Zachary" Hietala is guitarist, co-songwriter and founding member of Finnish heavy metal band Tarot in early 80's, together with his younger brother Marco Hietala, who joined Nightwish in 2001...
– guitars (1986-) - Janne TolsaJanne TolsaJanne Tolsa is a Finnish heavy metal musician. Known for his keyboard work in Tarot from the late 1980s, Tolsa also takes part in the melodic death metal band Eternal Tears of Sorrow, which he joined in 2005 for their album Before the Bleeding Sun, as well as the industrial metal band Turmion...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(1988-) - Pecu Cinnari – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1986-) - Tommi “Tuple” Salmela – backing and lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, samplerSampler (musical instrument)A sampler is an electronic musical instrument similar in some respects to a synthesizer but, instead of generating sounds, it uses recordings of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user and then played back by means of a keyboard, sequencer or other triggering device to perform or...
(1996-)
Studio
- Spell of IronSpell of IronSpell of Iron is the first album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1986 by Flamingo Music. Spell of Iron has been released on CD in 1994 by Bluelight Records, and a remastered version was released in 2006 by Spinefarm Records...
(1986) - Follow Me Into MadnessFollow Me into MadnessFollow Me Into Madness is the second album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1988 by Bluelight Records. A remastered version was released in 2006 by Spinefarm Records. Rose On The Grave was released as a single in 1988...
(1988) - To Live ForeverTo Live ForeverTo Live Forever is the third album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1993 by Bluelight Records. It is also the first album to feature the band's new keyboardist, Janne Tolsa, who has replaced former guitarist Mako H...
(1993) - StigmataStigmata (Tarot album)Stigmata is the fourth album by Finnish heavy metal band Tarot, released in 1995 by Bluelight Records. A remastered edition with bonus tracks was released in 2006 by Blastic Heaven.-Track listing: Disk One:# Angels of Pain - 3:55# E.T.I - 7:08...
(1995) - For the Glory of NothingFor the Glory of NothingFor The Glory Of Nothing is the fifth album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1998 by Blastic Heaven. The album saw the guest musicialship of Timo Kotipelto of Stratovarius, appearing as a backing vocalist on the song "Warhead".-Track listing:...
(1998) - Suffer Our PleasuresSuffer Our PleasuresSuffer Our Pleasures is the sixth album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 2003 by Spinefarm Records.-Track listing:#I Rule - 3:49#Pyre of Gods - 4:33#Rider of the Last Day - 6:47#Follow the Blind - 4:33#Undead Son - 4:04...
(2003) - Crows Fly BlackCrows Fly BlackCrows Fly Black is the seventh album by Finnish heavy metal band Tarot, released October 27, 2006. This album is accompanied by the single 'You', and the music video 'Ashes to the Stars'...
(2006) - Gravity of LightGravity of LightGravity of Light is the eighth studio album by the Finnish heavy metal band, Tarot. It was released in Finland on March 10, 2010 and is scheduled to be released in Europe on April 23, 2010 and in the US on June 8, 2010.-Track Listing :...
(2010) - The Spell of Iron MMXI (2011)
Live
- To Live AgainTo Live Again (album)To Live Again is the first live album from Tarot. The album was released only in Japan, by Zero Corporation, but the album was remastered and released in Finland in 2006...
(Live CD, 1994) - Undead IndeedUndead IndeedUndead Indeed is the first live DVD/2CD by Finnish heavy metal band Tarot. It was recorded in Rupla club, Kuopio, Finland on the 17th of August 2007...
(Live 2CD, 2008)
Singles and EPs
- Wings of DarknessWings of Darkness"Wings of Darkness" is the first single release from Tarot's first studio album Spell of Iron. It was released in 1986.- Line-up :* Marco Hietala - vocals, backing vocals, bass and synthesizer* Zachary Hietala - lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
(1986) - Love's Not Made For My Kind (1986)
- Rose On The Grave (1988)
- Angels of Pain (1995)
- As OneAs One (single)"As One" is the second single release from Tarot's fourth studio album Stigmata.-Track listing:#"As One"#"Dancing on the Wire "#"Lady Deceiver "#"Locomotive Breath...
(1995) - Warhead (1997)
- The PunishmentThe Punishment"The Punishment" is the second single release from Tarot's fifth studio album For the Glory of Nothing.-Track listing:#"The Punishment"#"Tears of Steel "#"Children of the Grave "...
(1998) - Undead SonUndead Son"Undead Son" is the only single release from Tarot's sixth studio album Suffer Our Pleasures.-Chart performance:...
(2003) - YouYou (Tarot single)"You" is the only single release from Tarot's seventh studio album Crows Fly Black.-Chart performance:...
(2006) - I Walk Forever (2010)
Music videos
- Wings of Darkness (1986)
- Love's Not Made for My Kind (1986)
- I Don't Care Anymore (1988)
- The Punishment (1998)
- Pyre of Gods (2003)
- Ashes to the Stars (2006)
- I Walk Forever (2010)
- Wings of Darkness (2011)