A highly rated Metal act, TAROT claim a justifiable status as one of the foremost Finnish Hard Rock acts. In an age when Scandinavian Rock was polarized between melodic Pop-Rock and ersatz Thrash, Kuopio's TAROT bravely ploughed their own furrow of heavy yet melodic classic Metal. Many of the bands that followed in their wake were to be directly inspired by TAROT's dedication to volume, riffage, extravagant stage shows and steadfast refusal to pander to treads. The group, initially entitled PURGATORY, was conceived during the early eighties by the teenage Hietala brothers, guitarist Zachary and frontman Marco alongside guitarist Mako H and drummer Pecu Cinnari. The band went through numerous incarnations prior to stabilising, with a formative guitar player being Harri Veteli.

The self-produced TAROT debut 'The Spell Of Iron', preceded by the 'Wings Of Darkness' and 'Love's Not Made For My Kind' singles, arrived in late 1986. In a novel marketing ploy initial copies of the album came with a one-sided bonus 7" boasting a drum solo entitled 'Aaaargh! What's Goin' On Here?!' by Cinnari. A second single, 'Rose On The Grave', then saw action.

For the April 1988 album 'Follow Me Into Madness' TAROT replaced Mako H with keyboard player Janne Tolsa. This record was released in two different sleeves, one clad in a skulls design whilst a second depicted a grasping claw about to encircle an unsuspecting, and scantily clad, female. Strangely, for such a well known act, TAROT then faded from view.

TAROT frontman Marco Hietala would apparently be in line as one of the frontrunners to replace BRUCE DICKINSON in IRON MAIDEN. However, TAROT bounced back in February 1993, finding renewed international success afforded by their 'To Live Forever' album, this brandishing a cover version of BLACK SABBATH's 'Children Of The Grave'. Back into their stride, 'Stigmata' followed up in April 1995.

The Japanese market soon picked up on the band and an exclusive live album, recorded at the Tavastia Club, Helsinki, was issued in the Far East by Zero Corporation as 'To Live Again'. Of interest to fans was the 'As One' EP of 1995 which included a cover version of JETHRO TULL's 'Locomotive Breath', this also surfacing as part of TAROT's 1998 Japanese compilation album 'Shining Black'. Another album set also emerged that year as Blastic Heaven issued a quick fire follow up, 'For The Glory Of Nothing'. These recordings showed TAROT edging into Progressive realms.

Marco Hietala would later join the high profile Kimberely Goss led Power Metal band SINERGY. He would also perform with both CONQUEST and covers band METAL GODS. During October of 2001 Hietala would supplant bassist Sami Vänskä in the hugely successful NIGHTWISH.

Hietala, along with TAROT colleague keyboard player Janne Tolsa would also convene a 2001 act dubbed VIRTUOCITY. Other players involved included drummer Jaska Raatikainen of CHILDREN OF BODOM, guitarist Jaron Sebastian Raven and vocalist Peter James Goodman. Hietala and Raatikainen would also session on the EVEMASTER 'Wither' EP of the same year, guesting on a cover version of TAROT's very own 'Wings Of Darkness'. With NIGHTWISH taking time out during 2003 Hietala regrouped with TAROT for a new studio album 'Suffer Our Pleasures'. The album weighed in straight at the number 10 position in the national Finnish album charts upon release. A single, 'Undead Son', featured a cover version of the GENESIS track 'Mama' as a B-side. The major label Universal picked the album up for territories outside of Finland whilst Metal Blade licensed it for US release in March of 2004.

Marco Hietala aided CHARON with backing vocals on their September 2003 album 'Dead Man Walking'. He would also guest with Industrialists TURMION KÄTIL?T, featured a cover version of DEEP PURPLE's Stormbringer' on a 2005 EP 'Niuva 20'. Keyboard player Janne Tolsa joined the reformation line-up of ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW in late 2004. TAROT conducted new album recordings in early 2006, bassist Marco Hietala taking time out of his NIGHTWISH schedule to participate. Hietala also found time to contribute guest vocals to the 2006 ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW album 'Before The Bleeding Sun'.

In March 2006 Bluelight Records re-issued the TAROT back catalogue, adding bonus tracks in the form of demos and live recordings to each album. TAROT's May 2006 single, 'You' entering the charts at number 1, would be backed by a cover version of BLUE ?YSTER CULT's 'Veteran Of The Psychic Wars'. The album 'Crows Fly Black', released in Finland during October, charted at number five.

TAROT announced the "Crows Over Germany" tour for February 2007, supported by Kalajoki's DIABLO. On February 16th 2007 Marco Hietala was honoured with the "Vocalist of the Year" award at the Finnish Metal Awards, which were held during the Finnish Metal Expo at the Cable Factory in Helsinki, Finland.

Concerts projected for 2007, commencing at the Antwerp Hof Ter Loo venue on April 27th, were announced as the 'Earthshaker Roadshock' tour in union with AFTER FOREVER, FINNTROLL, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, MACHINE MEN and ALL ENDS.

The DVD 'Undead Indeed' was filmed and recorded on August 17th 2007 at club Rupla in Kuopio with director Harri Mielonen. Besides live footage the DVD also hosted promotional videos for 'Pyres Of Gods' and 'Ashes To The Stars'. Upon release in June 2008 'Undead Indeed' immediately went straight to the top of the Finnish DVD charts.

The album 'Gravity Of Light', TAROT's ninth, was recorded in 2009.

Garry Sharpe-Young