Turku Heats Up to a Red Hot Metal Soundtrack

Come early 2011, Logomo will be set ablaze with the 1827 Infernal Musical by the Turun Nuori Teatteri theatre group. Inspired by the Great Fire of Turku, the heavy metal musical will be directed by actor Juha-Pekka Mikkola.

Turku’s shingled roofs were ablaze and the storm fanned the flames when the city burned to ash in 1827. The musical takes a closer look at the events during the fire, using heavy metal classics from the likes of Iron Maiden and Helloween to support the narration.

”If you are into heavy metal, this will make you die for more. If you are not a fan, yet, this show will make you one,” promises director Juha-Pekka Mikkola.

In addition to heavy metal classics, the performance will include a new, previously unreleased track by Lordi, the Finnish monster of melodic heavy metal. The band’s new track, dubbed Devil's Crashing the Party, will really turn the heat up!

This major production features some 40 performers, including a full band.

”We put a lot of time and effort in creating our five-piece band. But it was worth it. Several promotional gigs during the autumn have shown us that the young Infernal Orchestra is in a league of its own when it comes to band chemistry and musical skills,” explains Mikkola.

”The band is a group of nifty little devils of different ages and backgrounds. While some are great singers, some are great performers and some are great actors, it’s the same flame that draws the group tightly together, so to speak.” Also, one role will be played by a changing guest performer straight from the forefront of Finnish heavy metal.

The heavy metal attitude can be seen and heard in various ways during the performance.

”Heavy metal poses, boasting, calling gender roles into question and generally wreaking havoc,” says Mikkola. He even has his own heavy metal alias: Shy Boy Destructor, aka Dr. Bighead.

The greatest urban fire in the Nordic countries will be ignited by top professionals in pyrotechnics and special effects from Oy Pyroman Finland Ltd. Mike Pohjola, well-known for his live action, role-playing projects, is the man behind the screenplay for the production.

Text: Susse Määttänen