Finnish Heavy Metal 'Idol' ARI KOIVUNEN Receives Platinum Award For 'Fuel For The Fire'

"Fuel for the Fire", the debut solo album from the winner of the Finnish national TV talent competition "Idols", 22-year-old heavy metal singer Ari Koivunen, has been certified platinum in Finland for sales in excess of 30,000 copies. Ari was presented with his gold and platinum plaques by Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT) and Tommi "Tuple" Salmela during Koivunen's performance at Pielavesirock on Saturday, June 30.

Koivunen recently released the video for his first solo single, "Hear My Call". The song was written by Nino Laurenne (THUNDERSTONE) and Pasi Heikkilä (45 DEGREE WOMAN), who also produced "Fuel for the Fire" (Sony BMG). Watch the clip at YouTube.

Among the other metal luminaries who have contributed material to "Fuel for the Fire" are Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS), Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT), Janne Joutsenniemi (SUBURBAN TRIBE), Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA) and Jarkko Ahola (TERÄSBETONI).

The following musicians appear on the CD:

Tuomas Wäinölä (KOTIPELTO, NYLON BEAT) - Guitar
Mikko Kosonen (MAIJA VILKKUMAA) - Guitar
Nino Laurenne (THUNDERSTONE) - Guitar
Mirka Rantanen (THUNDERSTONE) - Drums
Mikko Kaakkuriniemi (KOTIPELTO) - Drums
Pasi Heikkilä (45 DEGREE WOMAN) - Bass
Janne Wirman (CHILDREN OF BODOM) - Keyboards

Ari Koivunen's touring band — which also appears in the "Hear My Call" clip — consists of the following musicians;

Erkka Korhonen (RASKAS JOULU, CHEAT CODE) - Guitar
Vili Ollila (TUNNELVISION, RASKAS JOULU, CHEAT CODE) - Keyboards
Luca Gargano (CHEAT CODE) - Guitar
Erkki Silvennoinen (AMORAL, CHEAT CODE) - Bass
Mauro Gargano (CHEAT CODE) – Drums

Ari is from Lahti, the Finnish town that has given birth to such metal acts as PROFANE OMEN, BEFORE THE DAWN, ENTWINE and DARK FILTH FRATERNITY. One of his hobbies is "Hevikaraoke" (Finnish "heavy metal" karaoke); he won the Finnish Karaoke Championships in 2005, and placed third in the Karaoke World Championships the same year. Among his favorite bands are IRON MAIDEN, RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE, DIO, PROFANE OMEN and HELLOWEEN.

Watch Ari Koivunen's "Idols" performance of IRON MAIDEN's "The Evil That Men Do" at this location. Links to more video clips can be found at this location.