Their debut album "Spell of Iron" was released in 1986 with a line-up of the Hietala brothers in bass, vocals and guitar, Pecu Cinnari in drums and Mako H in guitars.
MarcoHietala joined Conquest and played bass in Sinergy while Janne Tolsa took part in the recordings of Virtuocity's "Secret Visions".
The year 2001 saw MarcoHietala joining the ranks of Nightwish, and as Nightwish's record company Spinefarm also took interest in the future of Tarot.
www.metalbladestore.com /tarot (310 words)
DigitalMetal.com(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-03)
Finland's Sinergy, featuring Children Of Bodom guitarist Alexi Laiho, has officially announced the departure of bassist MarcoHietala (Nightwish) and, as a result, forced both parties to issue statements regarding the matter.
Marco told us that the main reasons for him choosing the Nightwish tours are: a.)better money b.)he gets to sing more parts with them c.)when they have this upcoming "break" he will have time with his children.
Apparently, Porra was recommended by Hietala, who said the four-stringer "was an excellent player." Porra is now learning Sinergy material and will be handling back up vocals with Laiho on the band's forthcoming Korean and Japanese tours.
Founded by vocalist and bass player MarcoHietala and his brother, guitarist Zachary Hietala, in 1986, the band's style of melodic metal has evolved over the years from a classic Iron Maiden-influenced sound to the dark, aggressive power metal displayed on
Beginning with a heavy bass strum from Marco along with ethereal and slightly eerie keyboards, I feel the chorus is the most memorable of the album.
Marco's bass lines are quite prominent and Zachary contributes a quality solo.
Iommi himself, Hietala blends the sounds of Iommi with the dexterity of Richie Blackmore into a buzzsaw of a sound.
Hietala is from that same breed of singer who possesses not only a great voice, but an uncanny ability to diversify that voice in such a manner that makes each song sound incredibly interesting.
In his earlier days, Hietala almost sang in an irritating manner at times, and didn't seem to have quite the handle on his style - meaning that I think he has found hinself on this disc....
www.progressiveworld.net /tarot.html (1601 words)
BNR Metal Pages -- Tarot(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-03)
Tarot has had a long and successful career in their native Finland, and remain one of that country's top metal bands, though they aren't as well known outside their homeland.
Formed in the early eighties by the Hietala brothers Marco and Zachary, they debuted in 1986 with Spell Of Iron and have regularly, if infrequently, recorded ever since.
MarcoHietala joined another high-profile Finnish band (Nightwish) a few years ago, which is at least partially responsible for the band's relative inactivity of late.
The Finnish heavy metal band Tarot was formed under the moniker Purgatory in 1984 by Hietala brothers, guitarist Zachary and frontman Marco.
In the late 80s / early 90s the band had a close to five year long break and MarcoHietala was reportedly one of the frontrunners to replace Bruce Dickinson.
Hietala later on joined successful Finnish metal bands Sinergy and Nightwish which resulted in them being signed by native label Spinefarm Records.
It marked the grand entrance of MarcoHietala, a metal icon in his own right in his homeland.
With Hietala's dual contribution to the band (bass and backing vocals), they were able to put forth some of their darkest, most aggressive material ever.
Then, on the other side, is the rough-and-tumble “Romanticide,” a violent kiss-off that ends with bassist / back-up singer Hietala scowling “Spit on me, let go, get rid of me / And try to survive your stupidity” over one of the most headbanging riffs of the last five years.
Bassist / vocalist MarcoHietala is also a member of Nightwish.
While sticking to their roots from the past obviously, Tarot is not afraid to mix in some more aggressive leanings into their repertory as well as some brief hints of progressive metal for good measure.
While Nightwish may be the more successful band of the two, Marco's decision to put out a new Tarotalbum was most welcome.
Back in '86 Kirka helped this group led by the Hietala brothers (Marco on vocals & bass and Zachary on guitar) to get a deal with the new Flamingo label he was signed on.
At first the label was mainly interested in MarcoHietala only as he truly is one of the most remarkable heavy metal vocalists of our time but eventually the entire band got signed and the dedut album "Spell of Iron" came out in late '86.
After '98 it's been fairly quiet in the Tarot camp again and MarcoHietala has mostly spent his time playing bass in different groups (e.g.
Tarot have been together since the early eighties and are based around the talents of brothers Zachary and MarcoHietala and were back then called Purgatory and released a few albums.
There is some really exciting guitar playing from virtuoso Zachary Hietala and singer MarcoHietala has a distinctive original vocal style, and he has some wicked ranges that sometimes show a likeness to Geoff Tate and James Labrie from Dream Theater.
The song is complexed and really displays fine musicianship as the song builds into an almost Malmsteen like neo-classical attack.
Nightwish have just finished their tour promoting their latest release, "Century Child." We had a chance to ask some questions to Nightwish's bassplayer and vocalist, MarcoHietala, about his impressions from the tour, the past and the future.
Tour was really successful, and we met a lot of nice people, saw some great places and now it´s time to take some rest before projects that are already lining up for winter.
TAROT To Release 'Crows Fly Black' In October - Sep. 8, 2006TAROT, the Finnish group led by NIGHTWISH /ex- SINERGY bassist MarcoHietala, will release its new album, "Crows Fly Black", in Finland on October...
Finland's TAROT, the group led by NIGHTWISH /ex- SINERGY bassist MarcoHietala, has issued the following update: "In the middle of touring the summer festivals, TAROT has been also been active and sweating in...
TAROT: Throat Infection Forces Concert Cancellations - May 19, 2006 Finland's TAROT, the group led by NIGHTWISH /ex- SINERGY bassist MarcoHietala, have been forced to cancel their previously announced gigs...