Gallery: Tarot

Finland is very well known for its never-ending stream of metal bands: good and bad, some with a relatively short life-span and some become history. Tarot is a very good example of this: I cannot remember a time when that band wasn’t legendary and massive. If we look at it that way, Hietala brothers are just as symbolical for the Finnish metal as the granite titans at the Central Railway Station for the city of Helsinki – they are inseparable.


In 2010 Tarot released a new album “Gravity of Light” proving that they still can kick it harder than you. Naturally a tour followed by, so we couldn’t miss the opportunity and went to see the legendary band at the famous Tavastia club in Helsinki.

The first thing that immediately got my attention before the band even showed up on stage was the glowing background image. It had the same picture of the sun and the moon, as the new album cover, but it also changed its colour with the light. The sun-moon had a very attractive evil smile that would make Joker look like a cute kid.

While waiting for the band, people around me kept on reminiscing over the years they have been Tarot fans and how they listened to their first album, etc. They seemed quite excited about the concert and you can hardly expect this from a mostly male and not quite young audience. The good thing about going to Tarot concert is that they are too old and serious for teenage screaming and swooning girls, even though you can see plenty of those at any other show where Marco Hietala is involved – the man’s charm is irresistible, just as his beard.


I was told that Marco was sick and had to stay completely silent for the past few days, saving his voice. Apparently the trick worked, he sounded as good as ever and it was almost impossible to notice anything. To the loud cheering of the crowd Tarot started the show with “Sleep In The Dark”, and fists were raised in the air. Followed up by the band’s bold statement off the new album “Satan Is Dead” and I am still tempted to ask if they have checked this. The setlist also had some of the band’s old songs, and to my great pleasure they played the epic “Pyre Of Gods”.

Tarot can definitely boast with having not one, but two great vocalists. Tommi Salmela blends in so naturally, he could easily go as the third Hietala brother. His voice adds even more power to the songs, if this is possible at all. Together with Marco they basically took the audience captive and shook them for almost two hours. Pecu Cinnari’s drum solo added more fire to the night, even though it was Wednesday and most people were still sober.

When you go to a Tarot show, you have to be prepared to have the most raw and pure metal poured down your throat. This kind of music doesn’t put up with those who’ve got no balls (not necessary as a part of your physiology); it takes you by the throat and holds you over the abyss. If you’re able to clench your teeth and not start crying for mommy – you’re in. Tough, isn’t it?

Before you even manage to start your quest for balls, Tarot will laugh at your face and finish the gig with an outro called “Schwabadaba Ding Ding”, to which Zachary Hietala would even sing and dance! Youtube it, if you don’t believe me! And be sure to check out Tarot live, because they will show you how metal is hammered.

Report: Tanja Caciur | Pictures: Jana Blomqvist