Raskasta Joulua in Kuopio

Raskasta Joulua is a Finnish Christmas metal project created by guitarist Erkka Korhonen in 2004. Its self-titled debut album recast Finnish seasonal songs for heavy guitars and a rotating group of rock and metal singers; staples include “Tulkoon joulu,” “Sylvian joululaulu” and “Varpunen jouluaamuna.” The first Raskasta Joulua tour followed in 2005 and established an annual run of pre-Christmas concerts in Finland. The touring production uses a full metal band and a changing vocal cast that has included Marco Hietala, Tony Kakko, J. Ahola and Ari Koivunen. The project later staged its Christmas-metal concert at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki.