Tarot

Tarot occupies a foundational role in the Finnish metal scene, having formed in 1985 as one of the country's first true heavy metal exports. Founded by brothers Marko and Zachary Hietala, the band evolved from the raw, NWOBHM-influenced sounds of their debut 'Spell of Iron' into a more sophisticated, keyboard-augmented style of power and progressive metal.

While they maintained a cult status for decades, the band saw a significant global resurgence in the 2000s following Marko Hietala's high-profile recruitment as the bassist and secondary vocalist for Nightwish. This connection brought Tarot's darker, more aggressive catalog to a symphonic metal audience, though Tarot remains firmly rooted in traditional heavy metal and hard rock. Their sound is characterized by Janne Tolsa's atmospheric synth work and Marko's signature 'thunder-bass' technique. Critically, they are respected for their longevity and for maintaining a consistent, dark aesthetic that avoids the campier tropes of power metal, instead focusing on existential dread and personal struggle.