Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus, a Finnish heavy metal band, was formed in
1996 by Timo Rautiainen and bassist Arto Alaluusua. Their first release was the
demo Hävetkää! in 1997. The band's debut album, Lopunajan Merkit, was released
in 1999. In 2000, they achieved their first chart success with Itku Pitkästä
Ilosta. Their third album, Rajaportti, and its singles reached the top of the
Finnish charts. The band won three Emma Awards for this period: two for the
album and one for the single "Surupuku". In 2002, they released a cover of a
Finnish Christmas song titled Tiernapoja...