Janne Wirman
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| Janne Wirman | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Janne Viljami "Warman" Wirman |
| Born | April 26, 1979 , Espoo, Finland |
| Genre(s) | Melodic death metal Neo-classical metal |
| Occupation(s) | Keyboards |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboards, Piano |
| Years active | 1993 – present |
| Label(s) | Spinefarm Nuclear Blast Century Media |
| Associated acts | Children of Bodom Warmen Kotipelto |
| Website | http://www.cobhc.com |
Janne Viljami "Warman" Wirman (born April 26, 1979) is a Finnish musician; he is the keyboardist for the bands Children of Bodom and Warmen.
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[edit] Biography
Born in the town of Espoo, Finland, Janne Warman began playing the piano at the age of five. For most of his early life he focused his style on jazz, switching his main interest to heavy metal music once he joined the metal band Children of Bodom in 1997.
He graduated from the Helsinki Pop & Jazz Conservatory at the age of sixteen and was subsequently invited by Jaska Raatikainen to join Children of Bodom, due to their previous keyboardist - Jani Pirisjoki - being fired from the band. Janne was the deciding factor for them to truly begin their professional career. Not only did he bring his talent to the band, but after some practice he also became able to play in perfect synchrony with lead guitarist and vocalist Alexi Laiho. This synchrony can be better observed on their live performances, or on the Tokyo Warhearts album, on the tracks Bed of Razors and Downfall.
His primary influence is keyboardist Jens Johansson from Stratovarius (also played with guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen and Dio). He has adopted the habit of tilting his keyboard slightly on-stage from his idol.
In the year of 2000 Janne assembled progressive metal band Warmen as his main side-project. The band's second album - Beyond Abilities - continued with the presence of Janne's brother Antti Wirman.
On the same year, Jens Johansson was asked by heavy metal band Masterplan to play on their debut album, but since he was already busy with other projects, he recommended them to ask Janne instead. Thus, in early 2002, Janne took part in the recording of Masterplan's self-titled debut album. The band proceeded to invite him to join them permanently, but Wirman opted to continue playing with his friends from Children of Bodom. Masterplan released their album and gave credit to Janne's work on the CD's booklet. The band's keyboard player Axel Mackenrott - hired after Janne's refusal to enter the band - appeared on all of the promotional pictures, and was officially credited as Masterplan's keyboardist.
To record with Warmen, Janne built the Warmen Productions Studio (now named Beyond Abilities). This studio has also served for the recording of Kotipelto's keyboard tracks, part of Ensiferum's Iron album and Sinergy's fourth album.
Janne has had bad experiences with sponsor deals. He had deals with both Roland Scandinavia and Korg in the past and was promised new equipment, but he never received anything. On the back of Warmen's second album it reads: "No Roland or Korg products were used".
Janne was originally just supposed to play a few shows with Children of Bodom, but they grew to like him. On the Chaos Ridden Years documentary, Alexi says, "But it was the first time I saw the guy drunk, and that's when I knew he was the fucking man." Janne stayed with the guys, but said he felt like a real member of the band around the time of the recording of his second album with them.
[edit] Equipment
Throughout most of his career, Janne relied on the Korg X5D keyboard to play live, although he only uses it as a master MIDI controller - the synth rack/module setup he's controlling onstage has varied. Janne's lead sound was crafted by Jens Johansson. It's a Korg Polysix emulation patch Jens made for the JV1080. He plays his keyboard tilted forwards.
[edit] Janne's setup on Hate Crew Deathroll
- Macintosh G4 running the MOTU Digital Performer 3.0 audio recording software
- Roland JV2080 (three units, using different expansions)
- Akai S5000 and Akai pro synth module
- EMU P2000, Proteus1, e64 and 9090
- Korg Triton rack and X3r
[edit] Discography
[edit] With Children of Bodom
Albums
- Something Wild (1997)
- Hatebreeder (1999)
- Tokyo Warhearts (Live CD, 1999)
- Follow the Reaper (2000)
- Hate Crew Deathroll (2003)
- Are You Dead Yet? (2005)
- Chaos Ridden Years - Stockholm Knockout Live (2006)
- Blooddrunk (2008)
Singles & EPs
- Children of Bodom (Single, 1997)
- Downfall (Single, 1998)
- Hate Me! (Single, 2000)
- You're Better Off Dead!' (Single, 2002)
- Trashed, Lost & Strungout (EP, 2004)
- In Your Face (Single, 2005)
- Blooddrunk (Single, 2008)
[edit] With Warmen
Albums
- Unknown Soldier (2000)
- Beyond Abilities (2001)
- Accept the Fact (2005)
Singles
- Somebody's Watching Me (Single, 2005)
- They All Blame Me (Single, 2005)
- Alone (Single, 2001)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Children of Bodom Website
- Children of Decadence - Children of Bodom English Fanpage/Forum
- Spinefarm Records: Warmen
- Scythes of Bodom: COBHC Fanpage
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