Elias Viljanen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elias Viljanen
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Elias Viljanen performing with Sonata Arctica in 2019
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| Background information | |
| Born | 8 July 1975 |
| Origin | Finland |
| Genres | Power metal, progressive metal, death metal, thrash metal |
| Occupation(s) | Lead guitarist |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Associated acts | Twilight Lamp Arched Elias Viljanen & Evil Spirit Mess Sonata Arctica |
Elias "E.Vil" Viljanen (born on July 8, 1975) is a talented Finnish musician from Tampere, Finland. He is best known as the lead guitarist for the popular band Sonata Arctica, a role he has held since 2007. Elias joined Sonata Arctica in the spring of 2007, taking the place of Jani Liimatainen. He officially became a member on August 8, 2007, after playing with the band for several months during their tours. Elias looks up to bands like Kiss, Metallica, Slayer, and Whitesnake as his musical inspirations.
Contents
About Elias Viljanen
Early Life and Music Journey
Elias Viljanen was born in 1975 and started playing the guitar when he was eight years old, in 1983. He shared that his dad encouraged him to start, and he also wanted to be like the famous band Kiss. He got his first acoustic guitar a year later. It took almost four more years before he got his first electric guitar.
After getting his white Leadstar electric guitar, he took a few lessons to learn basic chords. However, he felt that to truly learn rock'n'roll, he needed to teach himself. Around this time, Elias began playing in local bands. These bands were greatly influenced by the early thrash metal sound of Metallica.
When he was seventeen, Elias's band, Depravity, signed a record deal with Adipocere Records. This was his very first record contract! In the early 1990s, Elias discovered the music of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. At first, he didn't quite understand their style. But over time, he grew to love Satriani's music, calling it "the bluesiest rock'n'roll." He even considers Vai a "God" of guitar playing. Elias also mentions Dream Theater as a band that influenced his progressive metal style. Later, he played drums in a band called Twilight Lamp, which released an EP called "Grandiose" in 1999.
Starting His Own Project: Elias Viljanen and Evil Spirit
As 2001 approached, Elias felt it was time to start his own music project. He spent many months writing down musical ideas he had kept for years. He had some doubts about going solo, wondering if people would think he wasn't fast enough or was just copying others. But he really wanted to do it and make it as perfect as possible.
To get ready for his three-song demo, "The Axe-Master," Elias practiced for 2–3 hours every day for almost four months. His doubts disappeared as recording became a dream and an obsession. He didn't expect to get a serious record deal, but he sent his demos out anyway. To his surprise, the record company Lion Music offered him a contract! This led to Elias Viljanen's first album, Taking the Lead, eighteen years after his dream began.
Taking the Lead received good reviews and was even listed in the top ten hard rock/shred CDs on guitar9.com in 2003. Even Steve Vai heard Elias's CD and gave him encouraging feedback. In 2004, Lion Music offered Elias another record contract after he sent them new demos. He went into the studios with his band, Evil Spirit, in early 2005. The recording went well, and he was happy with his second solo album, The Leadstar.
Joining Sonata Arctica
In 2007, Elias Viljanen toured with the band Sonata Arctica, filling in for their guitarist Jani Liimatainen. On August 8, Sonata Arctica officially announced that Elias was their new guitarist. Elias took on this role, and even though some fans missed the old guitarist, Sonata Arctica and Jani Liimatainen agreed on the change. Elias has been a key part of the band ever since.
Elias toured with Sonata Arctica to support their album Unia in late 2007 and early 2008. During a break from touring in 2008, he started working on his third solo album. However, he soon joined Sonata Arctica in the studio for the first time in early 2009 to record their sixth studio album, The Days of Grays. Because they were touring when The Days of Grays was released, Elias didn't get to finish his solo album until later in 2009. His third solo album with Evil Spirit, Fire-Hearted, was released that same year.
Personal Life
Elias Viljanen has mentioned that if he weren't a musician, he would probably be a silversmith, someone who makes things out of silver. He enjoys playing the racing video game Need for Speed: Underground. He also likes parrots and his favorite sport is ice hockey. Elias is married.
Equipment
Sonata Arctica Gear
Elias uses various Ibanez Jem and Universe guitars, which are models made famous by Steve Vai. He has also been seen using custom ESP guitars and even has his own signature guitar from ESP, called the EV-7.
Discography
With Sonata Arctica
- The Days of Grays (2009)
- Live in Finland (2011)
- Stones Grow Her Name (2012)
- Pariah's Child (2014)
- Ecliptica - Revisited: 15th Anniversary Edition (2014)
- The Ninth Hour (2016)
- Talviyö (2019)
Solo Albums (Elias Viljanen)
- Taking the Lead (2002)
- The Leadstar (2005)
- Fire-Hearted (2009)
- Evillusionist (2021)
- Acoustic Intelligence (2022)
Other Bands
- Blackbay: Arouse (2001)
- Twilight Lamp: Grandiose (1999)
- Depravity: Silence Of The Centuries (1993)
See also
In Spanish: Elias Viljanen para niños
