Ben Varon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Varon
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Varon at Tuska Open Air 2012
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 18 November 1983 |
| Origin | Helsinki, Finland |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1997–present |
Ben Varon was born on November 18, 1983. He is a talented Finnish guitarist. He is best known for being a founding member of the Finnish metal band Amoral. This band was active from 1997 to 2017. After Amoral, Ben started a new heavy metal band called Oceanhoarse in early 2018.
Contents
Becoming a Guitarist
Ben Varon started playing guitar when he was about 11 or 12 years old. He really wanted an electric guitar. His parents gave him one as a birthday gift. For the first few years, he didn't practice much. He took a few lessons to learn the basics.
Later, Ben realized he needed to work harder to improve. He mostly taught himself how to play. He also took some lessons at a music school in Helsinki. A Finnish guitarist named Roope Latvala taught him about scales and modes around 2001.
Who Inspired Ben?
Two big influences on Ben's music are Slash and Dimebag Darrell. Slash is the guitarist from Guns N' Roses. His songs made Ben want to play guitar.
Later, Ben discovered Pantera and their guitarist, Dimebag Darrell. Darrell's playing still inspires Ben a lot. Ben learned from both Darrell's lead guitar solos and his rhythm playing. Other guitarists who inspired Ben include Nuno Bettencourt, Randy Rhoads, and Zakk Wylde.
Ben's Music Career
Amoral: 1997–2017
In 1997, when Ben was 14, he started playing music with Juhana Karlsson. Juhana played drums, and they went to the same school. They began by playing Metallica songs together. This was Ben's first time playing with another musician.
Soon, Silver Ots joined them, and the band Amoral was officially formed in 1997. The band played a type of metal music that was technical and melodic. Over time, their sound changed to a heavier, more melodic style with catchy parts.
Amoral played many shows. They performed in bars, clubs, and festivals. They toured in Finland, Europe, Japan, China, the Philippines, and the US. After 20 years, the band decided to split up in 2017.
Ben was always a big part of writing Amoral's music. He helped write songs for the first four albums. For later albums, he took on more responsibility for songwriting. He wrote most of the music and lyrics for Amoral's last album, In Sequence.
Oceanhoarse: 2018–Present
When Amoral decided to end, Ben started thinking about a new band. He spent two years working on new music. In early 2018, his new heavy metal band, Oceanhoarse, was announced.
Oceanhoarse focuses on live-oriented heavy metal. They don't use background sounds or synthesizers in their music. The other members are Tommy Tuovinen on vocals, Jyri Helko on bass, and Oskari Niemi on drums. Their first song, "The Oceanhoarse," was released in January 2018.
Alcyona Sky: 2014–Present
In 2013, after finishing Amoral's fifth album, Ben wrote some music that didn't fit Amoral's style. This music sounded more like 90s rock and 70s acoustic music.
In 2014, he started a new group called Alcyona Sky to play this different music. The band members are Micko Hell on vocals, Rale Tiiainen on drums, and Jyri Helko on bass. Alcyona Sky released one album in April 2017. The band later said it was a one-time project.
Other Projects
Ben has also been involved in other music projects. Since 2007, he has played in a tribute band for Dimebag Darrell. In 2011, he played on the album Amsterdamn, Hellsinki by Tornado.
Ben also plays guitar in Andy McCoy's band, Grease Helmet, which started in 2012. Grease Helmet released one album that year. In 2017, Ben joined a new project called Panorama and wrote their first single.
In 2012, a Japanese magazine called Young Guitar Magazine featured Ben. They published 10 pages of Amoral's music notes with Ben showing how to play them.
Ben Varon has been recognized for his talent. He was chosen as one of the best metal musicians in Finland at the "Finnish Metal Awards" several times:
- 6th best in 2009
- 4th best in 2010
- 5th best in 2011
Discography
|
|
