Ben Varon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Varon
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Varon at Tuska Open Air 2012
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| Background information | |
| Born | 18 November 1983 |
| Origin | Helsinki, Finland |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1997–present |
Ben Varon is a talented guitarist from Finland. He was born on November 18, 1983. Ben is famous for starting and playing in the heavy metal band Amoral. This band played music from 1997 to 2017. In early 2018, he started a new heavy metal band called Oceanhoarse.
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How Ben Started Playing Guitar
Ben Varon began playing guitar when he was about 11 or 12 years old. He really wanted an electric guitar. Finally, his parents gave him one as a birthday gift. It was a copy of a Stratocaster guitar.
At first, Ben didn't practice much. He took a few lessons to learn the basics. Later, he realized he needed to work harder to get better. He mostly taught himself how to play. He also took some lessons at a music school in Helsinki. A Finnish guitarist named Roope Latvala also taught him about music scales around 2001.
Who Inspired Ben's Music
Two of the biggest influences on Ben's guitar playing are Slash and Dimebag Darrell. Slash is the guitarist from the band Guns N' Roses. His songs made Ben want to start playing guitar.
Later, Ben discovered Pantera and their guitarist, Dimebag Darrell. Darrell's playing really inspired Ben. He loved both Darrell's lead guitar solos and his rhythm guitar work. Other guitarists who inspired Ben include Nuno Bettencourt, Roope Latvala, 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, who played drums. They went to the same school. They began by jamming to songs by Metallica. This was Ben's first time playing with another musician. They practiced together as often as they could. Soon after, Silver Ots joined them.
The band Amoral was officially formed in 1997. They played a type of metal music that was technical and melodic. Over time, their sound changed. Their fourth album had heavy, melodic guitar riffs and catchy choruses. Amoral played many shows in Finland, Europe, Japan, China, the Philippines, and the US. After 20 years, the band stopped playing together in 2017.
Ben Varon was always a big part of writing Amoral's music. For the first four albums, he wrote songs with Silver Ots. Later, Ben took on most of the songwriting. He also started writing most of the lyrics for the band's songs after 2008.
Oceanhoarse (2018–Present)
In 2016, when Amoral decided to stop, Ben started working on a new band. After two years of writing music, the new heavy metal band Oceanhoarse was announced in early 2018. Oceanhoarse decided not to use any background sounds or synthesizers in their music. They wanted to focus on live, powerful heavy metal.
Besides Ben on guitar, the band members are Tommy Tuovinen on vocals, Jyri Helko on bass, and Oskari Niemi on drums. Their first song, "The Oceanhoarse," was played on the radio in January 2018.
Alcyona Sky (2014–Present)
In 2013, after finishing Amoral's fifth album, Ben wrote some new music that didn't fit Amoral's style. It sounded more like 90s rock and 70s acoustic music. In 2014, he started a new group called Alcyona Sky to play this music.
The other members of Alcyona Sky 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 that this album was a one-time project.
Other Music Projects
Ben Varon has also played in other bands and projects. Since 2007, he has performed in a tribute band for the guitarist Dimebag Darrell. In 2011, he played on an album for the band Tornado. Ben also plays in Andy McCoy's band Grease Helmet, which started in 2012 and released one album that year. In 2017, Ben joined a new music project called Panorama, and he wrote their first song.
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 was recognized as one of the best metal musicians in Finland at the "Finnish Metal Awards." He was ranked 6th in 2009, 4th in 2010, and 5th in 2011.
Ben Varon's Music Albums
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