1986 was a major year for Rock / Metal, it was the year that saw the release of some of the most important albums of the past 40 years, MEGADETH released "Peace Sells!", MOTORHEAD released "Orgasmatron", BON JOVI released "Slippery When Wet", SLAYER smashed everyone in the mouth with "Reign in Blood" and of course who can forget METALLICA releasing the immortal masterpiece "Master of Puppets". Indeed that was a year unlike any other before it.
And that same year a little known band from Finland released its debut album. Formed as PURGATORY in 1982 by brothers Marco and Zachary Hietala, the band changed its name 2 years later and henceforth would be known as TAROT. When people say "Finnish Metal", what's the first thing that comes to mind? NIGHTWISH? SONATA ARCTICA? ENSIFERUM? Probably all of the above, but to me, the first band I think of is TAROT. Why? Well, for starters they were playing Heavy Metal at a time when most European and American bands were playing Thrash, while Scandinavia was in the opening stages of Extreme Metal.
Their debut album "The Spell Of Iron" was released in 1986 by Flamingo Music. The album was recorded with the core of the band (Marco and Zachary Hietala and Drummer Pecu Cinnari) which would remain with it for the rest of its existence. Also there is the addition of Mako H on guitar, and was far more impressive than most could imagine, containing great songwriting, skillful musicianship and very catchy songs combining Heavy Metal with Hard Rock and glam influences but mostly remaining rather pure.
The album features 2 tracks that would become staples of the bands live shows "Back in the Fire" (during live concerts Tommi Salmela takes care of the lead vocal duties on the song) and "Wings Of Darkness" that over the years has become somewhat of a theme song for the band, both are featured on the excellent "Undead Indeed" DVD (which I strongly suggest you check out). Other stand out tracks are "Midwinter Nights", "Dancing On The Wire" and!. Hell, they're all stand out tracks. There's very little not to like about this album, the production is absolutely incredible considering this album was a small release back in '86. The musicianship is also incredible with Marco and Zachary both developing the style they'll be known for in the years to come. This album doesn't totally represent TAROT as they would sound in later year, this record is for the most pure MAIDEN influences Heavy Metal.
In the coming years the band would go through many changes, Mako H was replaced with Keyboards player Janne Tolsa, the band also added a second vocalist in the very talented Tommi Salmela. Frontman Marco Hietala would head on to join NIGHTWISH and later join forces with 2 other great Finnish Metal singers in NORTHERN KINGS. But throughout all these years the band has continued working together releasing incredible albums along the way. The band has in fact rerecorded the album in 2011 as "The Spell of Iron MMXI", a great work featuring the current lineup.
"The Spell of Iron" is truly an album that opened the flood gates not only for TAROT and its members, but for many Finnish Metal bands to come, whether it's NIGHTWISH,TERASBETONI or TURISAS, nearly every Finnish band whether they know it or not in some way owes it's existence to TAROT.
Tracklist:
1. Midwinter Nights
2. Dancing on the Wire
3. Back in the Fire
4. Love's not Made for my Kind
5. Never Forget
6. Spell of Iron
7. De Mortui Nil Nisi Bene
8. Pharao
9. Wings of Darkness
10. Things That Crawl at Night
Band - "Spell Of Iron":
Marco Hietala ' Bass/Vocals
Zachary Hietala ' Guitars
Mako H ' Guitars
Pecu Cinnari ' Drums
