Raskasta Joulua Releasing "Ragnarok Juletide" Album

In the fine tradition of Death Metal Christmas, August Burns Red, and a handful of other metal bands that get in the holiday spirit, Finland's all-star symphonic Christmas project Raskasta Joulua ("Heavy Christmas") is back for its 10th year running.

The project, which tours every holiday season, will release a new studio album this year. The album, titled "Ragnarok Juletide," releases on November 11th via Spinefarm Records. Get a taste below.

But this is not just another set of ho-ho-ho-hum takes on holiday songs nor is it a collection of predictable, safe versions of seasonal jams! For the first time ever, these versions of Finnish and international Christmas classics will also be recorded in the English language.

Raskasta Joulua is inspired by Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the participants view the project in serious fashion, which is not always true of Christmas-themed collections. There is nothing novelty or jokey about this project or this release. Don't expect familiar holiday favorites to be given a weak makeover or merely amplified by distorted guitars that have been added to give the Christmas jams a "rock" feel. That would be a Christmas cop out.

Ragnarok Juletide will put headbangers in the most festive of moods, regardless of which metal subgenre he or she prefers, from speedy power metal to symphonic epics to dirgey doom. It's all here on this year's "Ragnarok Juletide."

"It's amazing that we're still doing this and that it has grown to these proportions," said founder/producer/arranger/guitarist Erkka Korhonen. "Every year has been bigger for us and now the tour is one of the biggest annual treks in Finland."

The track listing is:

1. We Celebrate at Christmastime
2. The First Noel
3. Here on the Hay
4. Little Drummer Boy
5. The Elf
6. Christmas Is Here
7. Sylvia's Song
8. White Christmas
9. Home for Christmas
10. A Sparrow on a Christmas Morning
11. Christmas Has Come
12. Ave Maria

The Voices Lineup:

Elize Ryd
Marco Hietala
J.P. Leppäluoto
Tony Kakko
Jarkko Ahola
Ari Koivunen
Pasi Rantanen
Antti Railio
Ville Tuomi
Antony Parviainen
Tuple Salmela
Kimmo Blom

The Band Lineup:

Erkka Korhonen - guitar, arrangements
Tuomas Wäinölä - guitar
Vili Ollila - keys
Mirka Rantanen - drums
Erkki Silvennoinen - bass