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Raskasta Joulua - Finland's Symphonic Christmas Rock Project Releasing New Album


Here's something to get you in the Heavy Christmas spirit. Finland's annual, all-star symphonic Christmas rock project, dubbed Raskasta Joulua, which translates to "Heavy Christmas," is enjoying its 10th year running. To celebrate that, the project, which tours every holiday season, will release a new studio album this year. The album, titled Ragnarok Juletide, will be released on November 11th via Spinefarm Records. Get a taste of the music below if you dare.

But this is not just another set of ho-ho-ho-hum takes on holiday songs nor is it a collection of predictable, safe versions of seasonal jams! For the first time ever, these versions of Finnish and international Christmas classics will also be recorded in the English language.



Description of the project: "Raskasta Joulua is inspired by Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the participants view the project in serious fashion, which is not always true of Christmas-themed collections. There is nothing novelty or jokey about this project or this release. Don't expect familiar holiday favorites to be given a weak makeover or merely amplified by distorted guitars that have been added to give the Christmas jams a 'rock' feel. That would be a Christmas cop out. Instead, the record truly and effectively captures the majesty, the wonder and the glory of the holiday season; the songs are carefully arranged and executed, with flawless musicianship and world-class vocal contributions."

Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot, Northern Kings), Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica, Northern Kings), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe), Jarkko Ahola (Teräsbetoni, Northern Kings), Antti Railio (2013 Voice of Finland winner) and more lend their voices to the project.

"It's amazing that we're still doing this and that it has grown to these proportions," said founder/producer/arranger/guitarist Erkka Korhonen. "Every year has been bigger for us and now the tour is one of the biggest annual treks in Finland."

Indeed, the accompanying tour is an event and a highlight on the annual holiday calendar for fans of all age groups. The project has progressed in size and scope each and every year, in both popularity and the prestige of the participants. The concert tour now runs for more than a month before the holiday season and plays to full arenas and ice stadiums.

Korhonen furthered: "Even people who haven't celebrated Christmas for years have found its spirit again through what we do. Since we've expanded the vocalist lineup every year, the audience wants to hear our new vocalists on the record. It'll be fantastic to bring these songs into other countries too!"


Ragnarok Juletide tracklist:

01. We Celebrate At Christmastime
02. The First Noel
03. Here On The Hay
04. Little Drummer Boy
05. The Elf
06. Christmas Is Here
07. Sylvia's Song
08. White Christmas
09. Home For Christmas
10. A Sparrow On A Christmas Morning
11. Christmas Has Come
12. Ave Maria

The voices lineup:

  • Elize Ryd
  • Marco Hietala
  • J.P. Leppäluoto
  • Tony Kakko
  • Jarkko Ahola
  • Ari Koivunen
  • Pasi Rantanen
  • Antti Railio
  • Ville Tuomi
  • Antony Parviainen
  • Tuple Salmela
  • Kimmo Blom

    The band lineup:

  • Erkka Korhonen - guitar, arrangements
  • Tuomas Wäinölä - guitar
  • Vili Ollila - keys
  • Mirka Rantanen - drums
  • Erkki Silvennoinen - bass

    Source: spinefarmrecords.com
  • Posted: 19.10.2014 by BloodTears



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