Raskasta Joulua

Launched in Finland in 2004 at the initiative of producer and guitarist Erkka Korhonen, Raskasta Joulua takes the form of a collective project devoted to Christmas songs rearranged in a heavy metal and hard rock aesthetic. The group revolves around a core of musicians and a rotation of vocalists from the Finnish metal scene, among whom have appeared Marco Hietala, Tony Kakko, Jarkko Ahola, JP Leppäluoto, Antti Railio, or Ari Koivunen. Its approach blends traditional choruses, heavy guitars, symphonic keyboards and expansive production, in a register that borrows as much from melodic metal as from stage rock. After a first album, Raskasta joulua, released in 2004, the project released Raskaampaa joulua in 2006 and then relaunched its discography with Raskasta joulua in 2013, followed by Ragnarok Juletide and Raskasta joulua 2 in 2014, Tulkoon joulu – akustisesti in 2015, Raskasta joulua IV in 2017 and Viides Adventti in 2022. Over the years, Raskasta Joulua has established itself as a recurring end-of-year touring date in Finland, with concerts also featuring guests from rock and symphonic metal. The project has also seen branches outside the Christmas repertoire, notably with the album Raskasta iskelmää released in 2019.