Jani Liimatainen

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Jani Liimatainen
Insomnium John Smith 2019 (4).jpg
Liimatainen performing with Insomnium at John Smith Rock Festival 2019
Background information
Born (1980-09-09) 9 September 1980 (age 44)
Kemi, Finland
Genres Power metal, melodic death metal, symphonic metal
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)Guitar, keyboards
Member of
Formerly of

Jani Allan Kristian Liimatainen (born 9 September 1980) is a Finnish guitarist. He came to prominence as the guitarist for the power metal band Sonata Arctica between 1996 and 2007, and has since played in and founded bands such as Cain's Offering and The Dark Element. Liimatainen's playing style is well known for his meticulous and fast soloing and riffs.

Contents

Early life

Liimatainen started playing the guitar when he was around 12 years old. [1] Later, he founded the band Tricky Beans together with young people from Kemi. The band adopted the name Sonata Arctica in 1999. [2]

Career

Sonata Arctica

Liimatainen was a founding member of Sonata Arctica and appeared on the band's studio albums Ecliptica , [3] Silence , Winterheart's Guild , Reckoning Night and Unia and on the band's four EPs and two live albums between 1999 and 2007. Sonata Arctica's fourth studio album Reckoning Night contains the song "My Selene" composed and written by Liimatainen. [4] Liimatainen was fired from Sonata Arctica due to conscription ambiguities in May 2007. [5]

Along with Sonata Arctica, Liimatainen was a member of the Altaria band between 2001 and 2004. He can be heard on the band's Invitation and Divinity albums, of which Divinity has the songs "Unchain the Rain" and "Falling Again" composed and written by him. [6] Liimatainen also played keyboards on both albums. [7]

Cain's Offering and Timo Kotipelto

Nowadays, Liimatainen plays guitar in the band he founded Cain's Offering, whose first album Gather the Faithful was released in autumn 2009. The second album Stormcrow was released in May 2015. Liimatainen is the band's producer and main songwriter.

Liimatainen also gigs with Stratovarius and Cain's Offering singer Timo Kotipello as the Kotipelto & Liimatainen duo. The duo released the acoustic cover album Blackoustic in October 2012. The album also contains one new song by Liimatainen, "Where My Rainbow Ends". [8] [9] [10]

Other projects

Liimatainen has a band called Sydänpuu with drummer Risto Koskinen from Kemi, where he sings and plays guitar, bass and keyboards. The band was founded in 2004 and has released two singles and demos so far. The single "Malja" was released in 2013. [11] [12]

Liimatainen also works as Antti Railio's gig guitarist and played some of the guitars on Railio's Vieras maa album. [13] Starting in 2015, Liimatainen worked occasionally as guitarist-singer Ville Friman's accompanist on Insomnium's tours. [14] [15] He later became an official member of the band Insomnium from July 2019 until February 2024. [16] [17]

In 2016, Liimatainen started collaborating with former Nightwish singer Anette Olzon, and the first album of the resulting The Dark Element project was released in November 2017. [18]

Liimatainen was also in a band called Dream Asylum. [19]

Liimatainen's solo album My Father's Son was released on 6 May 2022. [20]

Songs for other bands

Liimatainen has composed the song "River Runs Dry" for the band Sturm und Drang. [21]

Liimatainen wrote most of the songs on Arion's debut album Last of Us . [22]

The Stratovarius album Nemesis has two songs that Liimatainen contributed to the composition and lyrics of: "If the Story Is Over" and "Out of the Fog". [23] [24]

Guest appearances

In October 2007, Liimatainen played guitar in the backing band of Paul Di'Anno on the singer's Finnish tour. [25]

He has also made a guest appearance on Celesty's Reign of Elements album on the song "Revenge" [26] and on Human Temple's Insomnia album in the song "Animal". [27]

Other

In 2013–2014, Liimatainen studied songwriting at the Lappia conservatory. [28]

Liimatainen writes a blog called Jani Hates You All. The name of the blog is a tribute to Hank Moody from the series Californication . [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonata Arctica</span> Finnish power metal band

Sonata Arctica is a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, Finland. Created as a hard rock band named Tricky Beans, they later changed to Tricky Means and finally to Sonata Arctica, when they shifted to power metal. The current lineup consists of drummer Tommy Portimo, lead singer Tony Kakko, keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg, guitarist Elias Viljanen and bassist Pasi Kauppinen. All the musicians of the band's history except Portimo also acted as backing vocalists.

<i>Ecliptica</i> 1999 studio album by Sonata Arctica

Ecliptica is the first full-length album by the power metal band Sonata Arctica. It was released in 1999 through Spinefarm Records in Europe and through Century Media in the United States. It is the band's only album featuring bassist Janne Kivilahti. In 2016, vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter Tony Kakko described the album as "like the extension of our demo, we didn't know what we were doing so that reflects on the album and makes kind of cute if you will."

<i>Silence</i> (Sonata Arctica album) 2001 studio album by Sonata Arctica

Silence is the second full-length album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica, released in 2001 through Spinefarm Records. It is the only studio album to feature keyboardist Mikko Härkin, and the first album with original member Marko Paasikoski on bass, who returned to the band the previous year. Stratovarius lead singer Timo Kotipelto sang guest vocals on the album.

<i>Winterhearts Guild</i> 2003 studio album by Sonata Arctica

Winterheart's Guild is the third studio album by the power metal band Sonata Arctica. It was released in 2003 through Spinefarm Records. In a 2014 interview, vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter Tony Kakko said inspiration for writing "The Ruins of My Life" came from the film Braveheart. In 2019, he would refer to the album's recording process as a "nightmare" because he only had "two or three" songs ready when the band went in the studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timo Kotipelto</span> Finnish musician

Timo Antero Kotipelto is a Finnish musician best known as the lead singer of the power metal band Stratovarius, whom he joined in 1994, as well as fronting his own band Kotipelto.

<i>Unia</i> 2007 studio album by Sonata Arctica

Unia, released on 25 May 2007, is the fifth full-length studio album by the power metal band Sonata Arctica, following the album Reckoning Night. The first single from the album was "Paid in Full", released on 27 April 2007. This is also the last album that features guitarist Jani Liimatainen, who was later replaced by Elias Viljanen after the album was released.

<i>For the Sake of Revenge</i> 2006 live album by Sonata Arctica

For the Sake of Revenge is a live album and DVD recorded by the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica. It was recorded at Shibuya AX, Tokyo, Japan on 5 February 2005. Along with the CD there is a DVD in stereo and Surround 5.1 sound, which also includes Finnish commentary track by the band, Misplaced Cameras On Tour, a biography, discography and some photos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elias Viljanen</span> Musical artist

Elias "E.Vil" Einari Johannes Viljanen is a Finnish musician from Tampere, Finland, known for being the guitarist for Sonata Arctica since 2007. Viljanen joined Sonata Arctica in spring 2007 in order to replace Jani Liimatainen, who left the band in August 2007 to fulfill his civil duties in Finland. The decision was only made official on 8 August 2007, but Elias Viljanen had been known to replace Liimatainen in concerts during the spring and summer tour. Viljanen cites Kiss, Metallica, Slayer, and Whitesnake as his musical influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out in the Fields (song)</span> 1985 single by Gary Moore and Phil Lynott

"Out in the Fields" is a song by Irish musicians Gary Moore and Phil Lynott, who had previously been bandmates in Thin Lizzy. Written by Moore and released as a single in 1985, the song was also featured on his album Run for Cover in the same year. It is about the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Cain's Offering is a Finnish power metal supergroup formed in 2008.

<i>Gather the Faithful</i> 2009 studio album by Cains Offering

Gather the Faithful is the debut studio album of Finnish power metal band Cain's Offering, an all-star project started by former Sonata Arctica guitarist Jani Liimatainen. It was recorded in 2009 in different studios in Finland and was released on 22 July 2009 in Japan via Avalon. On the band's website the band stated that they're "right now concentrating on the following European/US release, which most likely will be end of August" and that they're "in negotiations with a well-known label, and will soon be able to announce the deal and tentative release date." The album was mixed by Jimmy Westerlund in Los Angeles, Hollywood and mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Oasis Mastering, Los Angeles, Burbank. On 25 June the band announced that their debut album will be released on 28 August in Europe and on 11 September in the USA by Frontiers Records.

<i>Reckoning Night</i> 2004 studio album by Sonata Arctica

Reckoning Night is the fourth full-length studio album by the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica, as well as the first to feature keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg. The track "Don't Say a Word" continues the so called Caleb saga, a series of songs that started on Silence's "The End of This Chapter" and is continued on Unia's "Caleb", The Days of Grays's "Juliet", The Ninth Hour's "Till Death's Done Us Apart" and Talviyö's "The Last of the Lambs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insomnium</span> Finnish melodic death metal band

Insomnium is a Finnish melodic death metal band formed in Joensuu in 1997. The sound and lyrical themes of their music portray darkness, sorrow, loss, pain, and nature. Their music includes elements of progressive metal, black metal, folk metal, and doom metal.

<i>Blackoustic</i> 2012 studio album by Kotipelto & Liimatainen

Blackoustic is a collaborative acoustic album by Stratovarius and Cain's Offering vocalist Timo Kotipelto and ex-Sonata Arctica and Cain's Offering guitarist Jani Liimatainen. The album was released on October 19, 2012, and entered the Finnish charts at #13 the first week. The album is self-financed. While initially only sold during performances, the album was eventually released through the Earmusic label, which had released the prior Stratovarius albums since Polaris.

<i>Nemesis</i> (Stratovarius album) 2013 studio album by Stratovarius

Nemesis is the fourteenth studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 22 February 2013 through Edel AG. It is the first Stratovarius album to feature new drummer Rolf Pilve, who replaced Jörg Michael in 2012. The album was first announced on the band's official website on 24 November 2012, with the track listing being revealed on 5 December 2012. Nemesis reached No. 3 on the Finnish albums chart. A preview of "Unbreakable", the album's first single, was made available on YouTube and was released on 25 January 2013.

<span title="Finnish-language text"><span lang="fi" style="font-style: normal;">Antti Railio</span></span> Finnish singer

Antti Railio is a Finnish rock and pop rock singer and vocalist in a number of Finnish bands, notably the power metal band Celesty, in addition to Diecell and The WildFire. After reaching the semi-finals in Finnish Idols (2007), and taking part in Kuorosota, he took part in season 2 of the Finnish music competition The Voice of Finland carrying the title in the final held on 26 April 2013.

<i>Dont Say a Word</i> (EP) 2004 EP by Sonata Arctica

Don't Say a Word is a song by Finnish metal band Sonata Arctica. It was released simultaneously as both a single and as the band's fourth EP released on 30 August 2004 through the label Nuclear Blast.

<i>Stormcrow</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Cains Offering

Stormcrow is the second studio album by Finnish power metal supergroup Cain's Offering, released on 19 May 2015. It is their first album with keyboardist Jens Johansson and bassist Jonas Kuhlberg. The first song to be made available was the title-track, streamed from 22 April on. Eight days later, the band streamed "The Best of Times".

<i>Eternal</i> (Stratovarius album) 2015 studio album by Stratovarius

Eternal is the fifteenth album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released on 11 September 2015 (Europe) and 18 September. Eternal reached No. 5 on the Finnish albums chart. Singer Timo Kotipelto composed three tracks and wrote most lyrics together with his Cain's Offering partner and former Sonata Arctica member Jani Liimatainen.

The Dark Element is a Swedish symphonic metal band formed by former Nightwish vocalist Anette Olzon and former Sonata Arctica guitarist Jani Liimatainen.

References

  1. ↑ "Guitar talk – The beginning Liimatainen, Jani". 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  2. ↑ Sonata Arctica. "The Band's Biography". Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  3. ↑ "Jani Liimatainen's adaptation production". Suomen Äänitearchisto ry. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "Sonata Arctica: Discography". Sonata Arctica. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "Official statement concerning Jani Sonata Arctica". 6 August 2007. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  6. ↑ "Interview: Altaria's album Divinity". Empire. 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  7. ↑ "Album review: Altaria – Divinity". Empire. 12 May 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  8. ↑ "Blackoustic". Discogs.com. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  9. ↑ "Album review: Blackoustic Soundi". October 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  10. ↑ "Blackoustic — author information Fono.fi" . Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  11. ↑ "Heartwood". Facebook. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  12. ↑ "Malja - Heart Country". Viola - National Discography. Retrieved 11 February 2017.[ dead link ]
  13. ↑ Liimatainen, Jani (18 February 2014). "Oh yeah, almost forgot" . Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  14. ↑ Isoaho, Timo (30 July 2015). "Insomnium to Eastern Europe – a new wizard at the guitar again". Soundi. Pop Media. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  15. ↑ James (29 January 2017). "Interview: Markus Hirvonen of Insomnium (London, 2017)". The Moshville Times. Moshville Times Ltd. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  16. ↑ "Insomnium: Reveal details about new album "Heart Like a Grave" welcome Jani Liimatainen as additional guitarist". Century Media Records. 16 July 2019. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  17. ↑ Keenan, Hesher (16 February 2024). "Insomnium Address Guitarist Jani Liimatainen's Absence". MetalSucks. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  18. ↑ "The Dark Element – Featuring Anette Olzon and Jani Liimatainen". Frontiers Music Srl. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  19. ↑ "Former Altaria, Sonata Arctica members join forces in Dream Asylum". Blabbermouth. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  20. ↑ "Product information "JANI LIIMATAINEN - My Father's Son - CD Jewelcase"". Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  21. ↑ "Ex-Sonata guitarist Jani Liimatainen wrote for Sturm Und Drang". Soundi. 10 November 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  22. ↑ "Arion is ready for the big stages Tuominen-Halomo, Anneli". Länsiväylä. Etelä-Suomen Media Oy. 22 August 2014. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  23. ↑ "Nemesis". Fono.fi. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  24. ↑ "Nemesis". Fono.fi. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  25. ↑ Kaunisto, J. A. (1 October 2007). "Iron Maidenia Oulussa". Viihdeportaali V2 (in Finnish). Alasin Media Oy. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  26. ↑ "Album Review: Celesty – Reign of Elements". Empire. 22 February 2003. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "Human Temple – Insomnia". Discogs. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  28. ↑ "Becoming a part-time Lapland man Liimatainen, Jani". 22 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  29. ↑ "Hello folks Liimatainen, Jani". 30 January 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
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