Elias Viljanen

Elias Viljanen with Sonata Arctica in 2011.

Elias Viljanen (born July 8, 1975 ) is a Finnish musician .

Viljanen joined Sonata Arctica in Spring 2007 to replace previous guitarist Jani Liimatainen .

Life

Viljanen was born in 1975 and started playing guitar at the age of eight, played in small local bands from the age of 13, and received his first recording contract at the age of 17 . In the early 1990s, Viljanen was introduced to the music by Steve Vai and Joe Satriani . Some time later developed a taste for the music of Satriani . Viljanen also lists the band Dream Theater as an influence on his progressive metal , which has also brought him to his current style.

In 2001 he spent a few months writing down his musical ideas and producing a demo tape. The record company "Lion Music" then offered him a record deal and produced his first album. In 2003 the album was placed in the top ten hard / shred CDs at www.guitar9.com. In 2004 Lion Music offered Viljanen another recording deal, and the second solo album, "The Leadstar", came out.

Viljanen went on tour with the band Sonata Arctica in 2007 and became a permanent member of the band on August 8th. Since his predecessor Liimatainen had not done his community service in Finland, there had been differences of opinion between him and the band, he was released from the contract and Viljanen was given his chance. In 2009 he produced the album "Days of Grays" with Sonata Arctica.

Discography

with Sonata Arctica

• The Days Of Grays (2009)
• 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)

with Twilight Lamp

• Grandiose (1999)

as a guest at Celesty

• Vendetta (2009). Guitar solo in the song "Feared By Dawn"

Individual evidence

1. ^ Official statement concerning Jani at archive.org
2. ↑ http://www.eliasviljanen.com/about/
3. ↑ http://www.finna.fi/Record/viola.343499