Koivunen is a member and a vocalist of two Finnish bands: Ari Koivunen (2007-) and Amoral (2008-).Ari Koivunen's debut album, 'Fuel for the Fire', was officially released on the 30th of May 2007. The songs for the album were made by wellknown Finnish metal musicians and song writers such as Janne Joutsenniemi (SubUrban Tribe, Stone), Jarkko Ahola (Teräsbetoni), Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot), Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius) and Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), among others. Recording musicians were Tuomas Wäinölä (Kotipelto, Nylon Beat), Mikko Kosonen (Maija Vilkkumaa), Nino Laurenne (Thunderstone), Mirka Rantanen (Thunderstone), Mikko Kaakuriniemi (Kotipelto), Pasi Heikkilä (45 Degree Woman) and Janne Wirman (Children Of Bodom). The first single from that album, 'Hear My Call', was released on May 11, 2007.
On June 11, 2008, Ari Koivunen (the band) published the second album - 'Becoming'. The major part of the songs were made for this album by Ari Koivunen band.
On November 25, 2008, technical death metal band Amoral announced Ari as their lead vocalist. He made his vocal debut with Amoral in the studio album 'Show Your Colors' May 6, 2009. The album is the fourth official release in Amoral's history but the first one with Ari Koivunen as their vocalist. 'Show Your Colors' reached Finland's chart-position No 19 in the first week. The album was released in the UK May 11, in Germany May 22, in The US. and Canada June 9 and in Japan July 22, 2009. There are two singles released of the album: 'Year Of The Suckerpunch' and 'Gave Up Easy'. Ari toured in Europe with Amoral at autumn 2009.
Amoral works at a moment ( autumn 2010) with it´s fifth album and Ari Koivunen (the band) is in hiatus.
Sylvian Joululaulu
Ari Koivunen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
joulu joutui jo rintoihinkin.
Ja kuuset ne kirkkaasti luo loistoaan
jo pirtteihin pienoisihin.
Mutt' ylhäällä orressa vielä on vain
se häkki, mi sulkee mun sirkuttajain,
ja vaiennut vaikerrus on vankilan;
oi, murheita muistaa ken vois laulajan?
Miss' sypressit tuoksuu nyt talvellakin,
istun oksalla uljaimman puun,
miss' siintääpi veet, viini on vaahtovin
ja sää aina kuin toukokuun.
Ja Etnanpa kaukaa mä kauniina nään,
ah, tää kaikki hurmaa ja huumaapi pään,
ja laulelmat lempeesti lehdoissa soi,
sen runsaammat riemut ken kertoilla voi!
Sä tähdistä kirkkain nyt loisteesi luo
sinne Suomeeni kaukaisehen!
Ja sitten kun sammuu sun tuikkeesi tuo,
sa siunaa se maa muistojen!
Sen vertaista toista en mistään ma saa,
on armain ja kallein mull' ain Suomenmaa!
Ja kiitosta sen laulu soi Sylvian
ja soi aina lauluista sointuisimman.
The lyrics of Ari Koivunen's "Sylvian Joululaulu" celebrate the arrival of Christmas in Finland. The first verse emphasizes the beauty of the Christmas trees, which bring light and joy into small homes. However, as the second verse starts, the focus shifts to a bird who is still trapped in a cage, despite the festive spirit that surrounds it. The lyrics become more nostalgic and contemplative, as the singer remembers a place far away, where the weather is always warm and the scenery is breathtaking. The song ends with a tribute to Finland and its people, as the singer praises the country and its traditions, especially the importance of singing as a way of expressing emotions and bringing people together.
One interesting fact about this song is that it is a Finnish version of the Italian song "Tu scendi dalle stelle" (You Descend from the Stars), which was composed in the 18th century by Saint Alphonsus Liguori. The Finnish lyrics were written by the poet L. Onerva (Hilja Onerva Lehtinen) in the 1920s, and the melody was adapted by the composer Armas Maasalo. The song has since become a beloved Christmas classic in Finland, and it is often performed by choirs and soloists during the holiday season.
Another interesting fact is that the song was famously performed by Ari Koivunen during his participation in the Finnish version of the talent show "Idols" in 2007. Koivunen, who was 23 years old at the time, impressed the judges and the audience with his powerful vocals and emotional delivery of the song. He went on to win the competition and become one of the most popular singers in Finland.
Line by Line Meaning
Ja niin joulu joutui jo taas Pohjolaan,
And so Christmas has once again come to the North,
joulu joutui jo rintoihinkin.
Christmas has also arrived into hearts.
Ja kuuset ne kirkkaasti luo loistoaan
And the fir trees cast their bright light,
jo pirtteihin pienoisihin.
Into small cottages.
Mutt' ylhäällä orressa vielä on vain
But high up on the perch still remains,
se häkki, mi sulkee mun sirkuttajain,
The cage that imprisons my songbirds,
ja vaiennut vaikerrus on vankilan;
And the sound of lament from the prison has been silenced;
oi, murheita muistaa ken vois laulajan?
Oh, who could remember the sorrows of the singer?
Miss' sypressit tuoksuu nyt talvellakin,
Where the cypresses still smell even in winter,
istun oksalla uljaimman puun,
I sit on the branch of the most majestic tree,
miss' siintääpi veet, viini on vaahtovin
Where the waters sparkle and the wine foams,
ja sää aina kuin toukokuun.
And the weather is always like May.
Ja Etnanpa kaukaa mä kauniina nään,
And I see Mount Etna from far away as beautiful,
ah, tää kaikki hurmaa ja huumaapi pään,
Ah, all of this beguiles and captivates my mind,
ja laulelmat lempeesti lehdoissa soi,
And the songs gently resonate in the groves,
sen runsaammat riemut ken kertoilla voi!
Who could tell of its more abundant joys!
Sä tähdistä kirkkain nyt loisteesi luo
You, brightest of stars, now shine your light,
sinne Suomeeni kaukaisehen!
Into my distant Finland!
Ja sitten kun sammuu sun tuikkeesi tuo,
And when your twinkle fades away,
sa siunaa se maa muistojen!
Bless that land of memories!
Sen vertaista toista en mistään ma saa,
I cannot find another like it anywhere,
on armain ja kallein mull' ain Suomenmaa!
Finland is always my dearest and most precious!
Ja kiitosta sen laulu soi Sylvian
And in its praise, the song of Sylvian is heard,
ja soi aina lauluista sointuisimman.
Always sounding the most harmonious of songs.
Writer(s): karl collan
Contributed by Chloe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nmsan2008
A beautiful Finnish Christmas song. This performance touches my heart.
@pvahanen
Low emotional, captivatingly powerful.
@sirpaerickson1327
Mahtavaa pojat olette tosi Musikaalisia Tää oli tosi taivaallista. BRAVOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@dominiksuk7261
Gives me goose bumps from beginning till the end... It's a pity Raskasta Joulua isn't better known outside Finland.
@Gestina30
People with good musical taste know them ;) srdecne zdravim do CR :)
@shelly6281
Yeah now isn't even christmas but I still listen to it of Janyary to the last day of year
@lomefaatau
I listen to them. and I found Finnish language cool in christmas songs. They sound very vocal just like Malay language. Can relate to them
@granvilletower2326
Listening from USA and have been for years.
@airimaenpaa
😢 3:29
@230305
Niin menee kylmikset ja ihon alle.. Huikea Ari! Hyvää joulua kaikille ja sinne missä ”olet häkissä vankina” ❤