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" Einari Johannes Viljanen was born on July 8, 1975. He is a talented Finnish musician from Tampere, Finland. Elias is famous for being the lead guitarist for the band Sonata Arctica since 2007. He joined Sonata Arctica in the spring of 2007. He took the place of Jani Liimatainen, who left the band for personal reasons. The band made the news official on August 8, 2007. Elias had already been playing with them during their spring and summer tours. Elias says bands like Kiss, Metallica, Slayer, and Whitesnake influenced his music.
Contents
Biography
Early life and musical journey
Elias Viljanen was born in 1975. He started playing the guitar when he was eight years old, in 1983. He said his dad encouraged him to play. He also wanted to be like the band Kiss. He got his first acoustic guitar a year later. But he did not get an electric guitar until almost four years later.
After getting his first electric guitar, a white Leadstar, he took some lessons. He learned basic chords. But he felt he had to teach himself rock'n'roll music. Around that time, Elias started playing in local bands. They were very much inspired by Metallica's early thrash metal sound.
When he was seventeen, his band Depravity signed a record deal. This was Elias's first record contract. In the early 1990s, Elias discovered the music of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. At first, he thought it was "just music for sports." But over time, he grew to love Satriani's music. He called it "the bluesiest rock'n'roll." He also considers Vai "God." Elias also mentions Dream Theater as a band that pushed him towards his current progressive metal style. Later, he became a drummer in a band called Twilight Lamp. They released an EP called "Grandiose" in 1999.
Starting his solo project: Elias Viljanen and Evil Spirit
Around 2001, Elias felt it was time to start his own music project. He spent many months writing down musical ideas. These were ideas he had for years but never used. He had some doubts about doing a solo project. He worried that people might think he wasn't fast enough or was 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. He did this for almost four months. His doubts disappeared, and recording became a dream and an obsession. Elias did not expect to get a serious record deal. But he sent his demos out anyway. The record company Lion Music replied and offered him a contract. So, in 2002, Elias Viljanen's first album, Taking the Lead, was released.
People generally liked Taking the Lead. It was one of 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 contract. He sent them new demos. He went into the studio with Evil Spirit in early 2005. The recording went well. He was happy with his second solo album, The Leadstar.
Joining Sonata Arctica
Elias Viljanen toured with the band Sonata Arctica in 2007. He was filling in for their guitarist Jani Liimatainen. On August 8, Sonata Arctica officially announced Elias as their new guitarist. Elias took on the role as guitarist. He 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. But then, work began on Sonata Arctica's sixth studio album. So, Elias went into the studio with Sonata Arctica for the first time in early 2009. They recorded the album The Days of Grays. Since they were touring when the album was released, Elias could not start recording his own album until early 2009. Later that year, his third solo album with Evil Spirit, Fire-Hearted, was released.
Personal life
Elias Viljanen has said that if he were not a musician, he would probably be a silversmith. He enjoys the racing video game Need for Speed: Underground. He likes parrots and his favorite sport is ice hockey. He is also married.
Equipment
Sonata Arctica
Elias uses various Ibanez Jem and Universe models. He has also been seen using custom ESP guitars. He even has his own signature guitar from ESP, called the EV-7.
Discography
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)
Elias Viljanen
- Taking the Lead (2002)
- The Leadstar (2005)
- Fire-Hearted (2009)
- Evillusionist (2021)
- Acoustic Intelligence (2022)
Blackbay
- Arouse (2001)
Twilight Lamp
- Grandiose (1999)
Depravity
- Silence Of The Centuries (1993)
See also
In Spanish: Elias Viljanen para niños
