For those who have followed Marco Hietala’s music career, the journey will likely have taken you through bands such as Sinergy and Nightwish.  What most may not know, however, is that he also has his own band called Tarot.  Having been around since the mid 1980’s, the band also features Marco’s older brother Zachary Hietala and is rooted in the more traditional style of heavy metal.  In honor of the band’s 25 years since the release of their debut, Tarot has re-recorded that debut and branded it as The Spell of Iron MMXI.

The Spell of Iron MMXI is not a new album, but for many people just finding out about the band, it might as well be such.  Given that most people know Marco Hietala from Nightwish, it’s only natural for those new to Tarot to think that they would sound closer to Nightwish than a band like Twisted Tower Dire, for instance.  It is on this re-release that the listener gets to hear where he got his start and how it has carried over to other bands he has been involved with.  The use of keyboards offer a slightly different take on traditional heavy metal and gives the band something to build on as the songs progress.  Tarot does offer something unique for those who would like something different from the Nightwish sound.  There are a couple of ballads on the album in “Love’s Not Made For My Kind” and “Things that Crawl at Night,” neither of which are too sappy and offer the younger Hietala a chance to show some range in vocals.  The Spanish guitar-influenced “De Mortui Nisi Bene” is a fun instrumental that is one of the better songs on the album.  Other tracks to listen to include “Back in the Fire” and “Wings of Darkness.”  Since The Spell of Iron MMXI is a re-recorded version of their debut album, there isn’t much in the way of originality, which is to be expected for any re-release.

The Spell of Iron MMXI is by no means, a masterpiece, but for a band that has been around as long as Tarot, it certainly helps that the band is starting to get recognized as a band, if only for the Nightwish connection.  This turn of events helped in the decision to re-record their debut album and give their fans a chance to catch up on their Tarot history.  It’s a nice album to start with for the newcomers to the band and a satisfactory album for those long time fans who haven’t been able to track down the original Spells of Iron.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Midwinter Nights
2.  Dancing on the Wire
3.  Back in the Fire
4.  Love’s Not Made For My Kind
5.  Never Forever
6.  The Spell of Iron
7.  De Mortui Nisi Bene
8.  Pharao
9.  Wings of Darkness
10.  Things That Crawl at Night

Total playing time:  42:06

Release Date: April 6, 2011
Label: King Foo Entertainment

Tarot - The Spell of Iron MMXI

Reviewer: Peter

June 1, 2011