| Tonmi Lillman | |
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Tonmi Lillman promopicture |
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| Background information | |
| Born | June 3, 1973 |
| Origin | Helsinki, Finland |
| Occupations | Musician, Producer, Graphic Designer |
Tonmi Kristian Lillman (born June 3, 1973, Kouvola) is a musician who is currently the drummer for hard rock band Lordi. He officially changed his first name from Tommi to Tonmi in 2004.
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Lillman’s father was a musician, and as a result he grew up surrounded by a large assortment of instruments. Tonmi received his first drum kit at age nine and started performing live at age 14. Apart from drums and bass guitar, his primary instruments, Tonmi also plays the keyboards and guitar. He is currently involved in the bands Kylähullut, Vanguard and 3rror. From his previous bands, he became best known as the drummer of Sinergy and To/Die/For.
In his professional career Lillman has also taught digital recording and drums at Kouvola Musiikkiopisto (Kouvola Conservatoire). He has played in numerous folk, dance and pop orchestras, as well as handling the drums on the Dimebag Beyond Forever 2009 tour alongside Rainer ”Raikku” Tuomikanto.
Lillman has appeared on several albums, acting as a studio musician for bands such as Reflexion, Twilight Ophera, and for instance providing the drum work for the Guitar Heroes -album. Recently Tonmi has distinguished himself as a studio engineer, mixing and recording such bands as Beherit, Bloodride, Chainhill, D-Creation, Exsecratus, Fierce, Fear Of Domination, Heorot, In Silentio Noctis, Laava, Lie in Ruins, myGRAIN, Rage My Bitch, Raivopäät, Roo, Rujo, Rytmihäiriö, Saattue, Serene Decay, Trauma, Vapaat Kädet and V-For Violence.
Tonmi Lillman uses Pearl drums, Sabian symbals and Pro-Mark drum sticks, and has signed an endorsement contract with the aforementioned labels.[1] Lillman is known for his characteristic style of drum placement and is a devout user of double kick drums. His style of drumming is rooted in rock, so he values good groove and a strong rhythmic backbone, combined with innovative fills, over high speeds and blast beats. Tonmi mentions as his main influences the drummers Teijo "Twist Twist" Erkinharju, Mikkey Dee, Deen Castronovo, and his greatest influence as Dave Weckl.
Tonmi Lillman’s drum kit
Pearl Masters Premium MMP
Cymbals
Besides music, Tonmi works as a graphic designer specializing in 3D-graphics. He has also worked as an editor on music videos, such as on Ajattara's "...Putoan" and "Ikuisen Aamun Sara", ”Marks On My Face” by Mind Of Doll, the Kylähullut video "Kieli hanurissa" and on "Whisper" by Vanguard. He has designed the Cover Art for bands like To/Die/For, Sinergy, Kylähullut, HateFrame, D-Creation and Dance Nation, among several others. In addition, he has edited video presentations, commercials and product labels for different companies as well as providing video production and post production to, for instance, the Crumbland promo DVD. Tonmi also designed and produced the background animations for Lordi’s European tour. Other graphical works include web designing, site production and providing banners and animation for various on-line gaming sites.