NORTHERN KINGS

NORTHERN KINGS
Biography, Discography, and Cultural Impact

1. Definition of the "Kings" in the Finnish Metal Scene

NORTHERN KINGS is a symphonic metal supergroup formed in Finland in 2007. The project consists of four frontmen representing the Finnish heavy metal scene, who had already established international fame at the time: Jarkko Ahola, Marko Hietala, Tony Kakko, and Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto.

The musical identity of NORTHERN KINGS lies in reconstructing classic popular music numbers from mainly the 1980s (pop, rock, and movie soundtracks) into heavy symphonic metal arrangements. While typical "cover bands" aim for faithful reproduction or parody of the original tracks, the approach of NORTHERN KINGS is characterized by retaining the original melody lines while injecting the grandeur, melancholy, and theatrical elements unique to Nordic metal, thereby breathing completely new life into the songs as "metal epics."

2. Formation Background and Membership

2.1 Background of Formation: Connection with Raskasta Joulua

The formation of NORTHERN KINGS is closely linked to Raskasta Joulua (Heavy Christmas), a unique project in the Finnish music scene. Raskasta Joulua is a highly popular project in Finland that arranges and performs traditional Christmas carols in a heavy metal style. The primary vocalists participating in this project desired to perform a wider range of songs together outside of the Christmas season, which served as the direct catalyst for the launch of NORTHERN KINGS.

Erkka Korhonen, who serves as the group's producer and guitarist, acted as the musical director of this project and played a central role in uniting four unique vocalists into a cohesive band sound.

2.2 Member Lineup: The Roles of the Four Vocalists

Rather than a traditional "band," NORTHERN KINGS refers to themselves as a "league of four vocalists," placing greater emphasis on the vocalists' individualities than on the backing musicians. Detailed profiles of each member and their roles (titles) within the group are listed below.

2.3 Backing Musicians and Production Team

• Erkka Korhonen: Guitars, production, and arrangements. Musical director of the project. Also known as a band member for Ari Koivunen.
• Erkki Silvennoinen: Bass.
• Mirka Rantanen: Drums (on the album *Rethroned*).
• Anssi Nykänen / Sami Osala: Drums (on the album *Reborn*).
• Vili Ollila: Keyboards, piano, and orchestration.
• Mikko P. Mustonen: Orchestration.

3. Discography Analysis: Albums

NORTHERN KINGS has released two full-length albums to date. Both albums were released through Warner Music Finland and achieved commercial success within Finland.

3.1 1st Album: *Reborn*

• Release Date: October 31, 2007
• Label: Warner Music Finland
• Certification: Gold Disc (over 15,000 copies sold in Finland)

Overview: The debut album *Reborn* features a selection focused primarily on 1980s radio hits. The title signifies the "rebirth of masterpieces," presenting nostalgic tracks in a brand-new form through grand symphonic metal arrangements.

Track Details and Analysis

No.	Track Title	Original Artist	Lead Vocals / Composition	Track Analysis & Remarks
1	Don't Stop Believin'	Journey	Marko Hietala	A monumental stadium rock track that opens the album. Marko Hietala's wild, rugged vocals add a heavy power in place of the original's breezy tone. The synthesizer riffs unison with the guitars, emphasizing the song's metal aggressiveness.
2	We Don't Need Another Hero	Tina Turner	All	The lead single and the theme song for the movie *Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome*. All four members participate, developing a thick, choir-like chorus. The post-apocalyptic lyrics blend perfectly with symphonic metal, making it a signature song for NORTHERN KINGS. A music video was also produced.
3	Broken Wings	Mr. Mister	Tony Kakko	Tony Kakko's clear voice captures the airy feeling unique to 1980s AOR. The contrast with the explosive guitar sound in the chorus is beautiful. An arrangement that will feel highly familiar to Sonata Arctica fans.
4	Rebel Yell	Billy Idol	Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto	Leppäluoto delivers a bewitching low-register rendition of this punk rock classic. By slowing down the tempo, it emphasizes a heavy gloominess and sexiness akin to gothic metal.
5	Ashes to Ashes	David Bowie	Tony Kakko	This complex David Bowie track is reconstructed with a spacey keyboard arrangement and Tony Kakko's theatrical singing style, showcasing a progressive development.
6	Fallen on Hard Times	Jethro Tull	Marko Hietala	A progressive folk rock piece. Leveraging Hietala's affinity for folk music, this unique arrangement traces the original flute melodies with heavy instrumentation.
7	(I Just) Died in Your Arms	Cutting Crew	Jarkko Ahola	A power ballad featuring Jarkko Ahola's superhuman high register. His operatic delivery dramatically amplifies the wistful nature of the lyrics.
8	Sledgehammer	Peter Gabriel	Tony Kakko	Metalling up a highly funk-driven original track. The brass section phrases are replicated via synthesizers and guitars, transforming the rhythmic groove into a metal cadence.
9	Don't Bring Me Down	Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)	Jarkko Ahola	A straightforward rock 'n' roll number. Ahola's powerful shouts inject a masculine energy reminiscent of Teräsbetoni.
10	In the Air Tonight	Phil Collins	Marko Hietala	The quiet, tense atmosphere of the original is dramatically staged through Hietala's whispered vocals and an explosive band entry in the latter half, carrying a weight similar to doom metal.
11	Creep	Radiohead	Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto	The alternative rock classic. Leppäluoto's pain-filled bass tones offer a gothic reinterpretation of the self-deprecating lyrical worldview. The piano and strings are beautiful.
12	Hello	Lionel Richie	Jarkko Ahola	A soul ballad turned symphonic metal ballad. Ahola's emotionally rich singing shines bright, accompanied by a weeping guitar solo.
13	Brothers in Arms	Dire Straits	Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto	An anti-war song. Leppäluoto's deep voice sings of the sorrows of war like a requiem. A majestic track perfectly fitting for the album's conclusion.

Special Edition Bonus Tracks:
We Don't Need Another Hero (Orchestra Remix)
Creep (Killdivo Remix)

3.2 2nd Album: *Rethroned*

• Release Date: November 19, 2008 (Finland), February 25, 2009 (Japan)
• Label: Warner Music Finland
• Peak Chart Position: No. 16 on the Finnish Charts

Overview: Released just one year after the success of their debut, the second album is titled *Rethroned*. This work is characterized by prominent selections from movie soundtracks (James Bond, Batman, Rocky, etc.), pursuing a more cinematic soundscape. Additionally, the inclusion of duets between members and full-ensemble vocal parts was increased, strengthening their solidarity as a supergroup.

Track Details and Analysis

No.	Track Title	Original Artist / Source	Lead Vocals	Track Analysis & Remarks
1	Training Montage	Vince DiCola / From the movie *Rocky IV*	Instrumental	An instrumental track. A complete reproduction of the background music from the movie *Rocky IV* using synthesizers and guitars. An overture that heightens expectations for the album.
2	Wanted Dead or Alive	Bon Jovi	Marko Hietala	A cowboy anthem that opens with an acoustic guitar introduction. Hietala's vocal texture perfectly matches the wilderness atmosphere. Features thick, layered chorus work.
3	Kiss from a Rose	Seal / From the movie *Batman Forever*	All	The lead single of this album. Seal's complex song structure is masterfully replicated through the four vocalists' multi-layered harmonies. A masterpiece where the baroque-pop elements of the original blend seamlessly with the splendor of symphonic metal. A music video was also produced.
4	A View to a Kill	Duran Duran / From the movie *007 A View to a Kill*	All	The 007 theme song. Expresses the thrilling tension of a spy movie with a driving metal beat. Features a style where each member takes turns singing the verses.
5	Nothing Compares 2 U	Prince / Sinéad O'Connor	Tony Kakko	A ballad delivered with deep emotion by Tony Kakko. It exudes a Nordic melancholy akin to Sonata Arctica's ballad tracks.
6	My Way	Frank Sinatra	Jarkko Ahola	The ultimate standard number. It is sung solemnly in the first half but speeds up in the second half, showcasing a bold arrangement that unfolds into a dramatic metal opera.
7	Strangelove	Depeche Mode	All	Characterized by an industrial guitar riff and a powerful chorus sung in unison by all four members. A dark dance beat is effectively metallized.
8	Take On Me	A-ha	All	A representative 1980s synth-pop hit. A power metal version that replicates the original's lighthearted riff with ultra-fast guitars and keyboards. The high notes in the chorus are reproduced with Ahola leading the way.
9	I Should Be So Lucky	Kylie Minogue	J-P Leppäluoto & Jarkko Ahola	A song selection aimed at creating the ultimate contrast by having Leppäluoto's bass voice sing an idol-pop track. The interplay with Ahola results in a bizarre yet highly addictive track.
10	Killer	Adamski feat. Seal	All	An acid house hit converted into heavy rock. Highlights a groovy bassline.
11	Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend	Thin Lizzy	Jarkko Ahola & Marko Hietala	The epic finale of the album. A 7.5-minute saga where the two powerhouse vocalists passionately sing an Irish-trad-infused hard rock piece.

Bonus Track (Japanese Edition & Digital Edition):
• They Don't Care About Us (Original: Michael Jackson)
Included as a bonus track on the Japanese edition (released on February 25, 2009). Michael Jackson's percussive and socially conscious song is recreated with heavy riffs, marching drums, and the angry vocals of the four frontmen. An orchestral version also exists.

4. Singles and Other Crucial Releases

In addition to their albums, NORTHERN KINGS has left behind several important singles and project collaboration tracks.

4.1 Single *Lapponia* (2010)

• Release Year: 2010
• Original: Monica Aspelund (1977)
• Overview: The final single released before their hiatus following the second album. The original song was Finland's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977.
• Analysis: As the title means "Lapland" in Finnish, the song is themed around the mysterious nature of the Arctic Circle. NORTHERN KINGS reinterpreted it into grand symphonic metal, strongly emphasizing their identity of "Finnishness." The jacket artwork features illustrations of the four members.

4.2 Songs within the *Raskasta Joulua* Project

Within the *Raskasta Joulua* project, which served as the parent body for NORTHERN KINGS, there are also songs performed by all four vocalists together.

• Pieni Rumpali (Original: The Little Drummer Boy):
• Performed under the name "NORTHERN KINGS" or as a four-way collaboration in *Raskasta Joulua* concerts and albums in 2010 and 2013.
• Beginning with a quiet snare drum roll and gradually developing into a grand metal symphony, this structure represents the true essence of NORTHERN KINGS' musical style.

5. Hiatus and Resurgence (2010–Present)

5.1 Long-term Hiatus (2011–2021)

Following the release of the single *Lapponia* in 2010, NORTHERN KINGS entered a long hiatus spanning roughly 12 years. Although no official disbandment was announced, the primary reason was that each member became extremely busy with their respective main bands.

• Marko Hietala: World tours and album productions with Nightwish, as well as solo activities.
• Tony Kakko: Constant releases and touring with Sonata Arctica.
• Jarkko Ahola: National success as a solo artist (Christmas albums and concert tours) and activities with Teräsbetoni.
• Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto: Disbandment of Charon, activities with Harmaja, and acting roles.

During this period, members occasionally performed together on "Raskasta Joulua" tours, but no consolidated activities were carried out under the "NORTHERN KINGS" name.

5.2 Comeback (2022)

• Comeback Live: On June 18, 2022, they held their first reunion live show as a band in 12 years at the 'Tuhdimmat Tahdit' festival in Nokia, Finland.
• Tuska Open Air 2022: In July of the same year, they performed at Tuska Open Air in Helsinki, one of the largest metal festivals in the Nordic region.
• Interviews: In interviews during their comeback, members Leppäluoto and Korhonen spoke about the joy of performing live again after the COVID-19 pandemic and the special chemical reaction that occurs when the four frontmen gather.

5.3 Future Outlook (2023 and Beyond)

As of January 2026, no official information regarding a third album release has been confirmed, but NORTHERN KINGS continues to perform sporadic live shows, and appearances at various festivals are anticipated. Regarding their schedules for 2025 and 2026, while the name NORTHERN KINGS appears on various ticketing sites, finalized tour dates remain fluid. The activities of NORTHERN KINGS continue to hold the character of a "special celebration" carved out between the individual members' busy schedules.

6. Musical Legacy of NORTHERN KINGS

NORTHERN KINGS is one of the most luxurious and musically intriguing projects born out of the "Finnish Metal Boom" of the late 2000s. While using accessible entry points like "cover songs," the project demonstrated the high technical proficiency of Finnish metal musicians and, above all, showcased the overwhelming singing ability and individuality of the four vocalists to the world.

The success of NORTHERN KINGS can be evaluated as a forerunner to subsequent projects such as Exit Eden (a cover project featuring female metal vocalists) and At The Movies. Their achievement is significant in that they transcended being a mere gimmick and established a definitive form of "symphonic metal entertainment."

Though they sang "We Don't Need Another Hero," for metal fans, the four members of NORTHERN KINGS undoubtedly remain heroes under the name of the "Kings of the North" born in Finland.

Appendix

English Notation	Remarks
NORTHERN KINGS	Band Name
Jarkko Ahola	Vocals (Teräsbetoni)
Marko Hietala	Vocals (Tarot, ex-Nightwish)
Tony Kakko	Vocals (Sonata Arctica)
Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto	Vocals (Charon)
Erkka Korhonen	Guitar, Producer
Reborn	1st Album
Rethroned	2nd Album
Raskasta Joulua	Related Project (Heavy Christmas)
Teräsbetoni	Ahola's Band
Nightwish	Hietala's Former Band
Sonata Arctica	Kakko's Band
Charon	Leppäluoto's Band
Lapponia	Single Track