CHARON, MACHINE MEN Singers To Take Part In 'Raskasta Joulua' Tour

Antony Parviainen (MACHINE MEN), JP Leppäluoto (CHARON), Ville Tuomi (UNITED UNDERWORLD) and Ari Mikael Koivunen (winner of the 2007 Finnish "Idols" competition) will take part in this year's Raskasta Joulua (Heavy Christmas) tour that will hit the road in Finland in late November/early December. Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT, ex-SINERGY) may also take part in the December 21 performance at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland although this has not yet been confirmed.

According to a posting on the project's MySpace page, the idea behind Raskasta Joulua is to "celebrate Christmas and its music tradition mixed with metal. Raskas Joulu has combined these elements for four years now and it looks like the end is not in sight."

The dates are as follows:

Nov. 30 - Blackpool - Järvenpää, Finland
Dec. 01 - Osmantupa - Eura, Finland
Dec. 05 - Teatria - Oulu, Finland
Dec. 06 - Ruka Piste Ruka Ski Resort - Kuusamo, Finland
Dec. 07 - Lutakko - Jyväskylä, Finland
Dec. 13 - Henry’s Pub - Kuopio, Finland
Dec. 14 - Sibeliustalo - Lahti, Finland
Dec. 15 - Bar & Night Vaakuna - Mikkeli, Finland
Dec. 21 - Tavastia - Helsinki, Finland
Dec. 22 - Himos Areena - Jämsä, Finland
Dec. 26 - Amarillo - Kotka, Finland
Dec. 27 - Hulluporo Areena - Levi, Finland
Dec. 28 - Hulluporo Areena - Levi, Finland

The backing band will consist of the following musicians:

Erkka Korhonen - Guitar, MD
Mikko Kosonen - Guitar (except for Dec. 27-28)
Mauro Gargano - Drums
Erkki Silvennoinen - Bass
Vili Ollila – Keyboards

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/raskasjoulu.

Watch fan-filmed video footage of Raskasta Joulua (featuring Marco Hietala on lead vocals) performing the song "Oi Jouluyö (O' Holy Night)" live on December 21, at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland: