Janne Wirman
Encyclopedia
Janne Viljami "Warman" Wirman (born April 26, 1979) is a Finnish musician
; he is the keyboardist
for the bands Children of Bodom
and Warmen
.
, Finland
, Janne Wirman 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 a single practice he also became able to play in sync with lead guitarist and vocalist Alexi Laiho
. This synchronization can be observed during their live performances, or on the recorded tracks Bed of Razors, Lake Bodom and Downfall.
His primary influence is keyboardist Jens Johansson
from Stratovarius
(also played with guitar virtuoso
Yngwie Malmsteen and Dio
) from whom he has adopted the style of playing his keyboard tilted forward.
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.
In 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 referred them to Janne instead. Thus, in early 2002, Janne took part in the recording of Masterplan's self-titled debut album. The band proceeded to offer him a permanent position, but Wirman opted to continue playing with 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 decline 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 Laiho 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.
. It's a Korg Polysix
emulation patch Jens made for the JV1080.
Singles & EPs
Singles
Singles
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
; he is the keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
for the bands Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
and Warmen
Warmen
Warmen is a Finnish metal band assembled by keyboard player Janne Viljami Wirman - also known as Warman. Janne has been playing with Children of Bodom since 1997, and on the year of 2000 created a musical project focused on instrumental work, which would only have guest singers on a few selected...
.
Biography
Born in the town of EspooEspoo
Espoo is the second largest city and municipality in Finland. The population of the city of Espoo is . It is part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area along with the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. Espoo shares its eastern border with Helsinki and Vantaa, while enclosing Kauniainen....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, Janne Wirman began playing the piano at the age of five. For most of his early life he focused his style on jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, switching his main interest to heavy metal music
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
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
Jaska Raatikainen
Jaska Ilmari Raatikainen or Jaska W. Raatikainen is the drummer of the band Children of Bodom.-Biography:Jaska Raatikainen was born in the town of Lappeenranta, in Finland. His first instrument was the piano, and during most of his childhood also played the French horn in a big band - a fact which...
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 a single practice he also became able to play in sync with lead guitarist and vocalist Alexi Laiho
Alexi Laiho
Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho is a Finnish singer, composer, and guitarist. He is best known for being the lead guitarist as well as lead vocalist for melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, and he is also the guitarist for Sinergy and Kylähullut...
. This synchronization can be observed during their live performances, or on the recorded tracks Bed of Razors, Lake Bodom and Downfall.
His primary influence is keyboardist Jens Johansson
Jens Johansson
Jens Ola Johansson is a Swedish power metal keyboardist and pianist. He is notable for his high-speed neoclassical and fusion style.-Biography:...
from Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
(also played with guitar virtuoso
Virtuoso
A virtuoso is an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability in the fine arts, at singing or playing a musical instrument. The plural form is either virtuosi or the Anglicisation, virtuosos, and the feminine form sometimes used is virtuosa...
Yngwie Malmsteen and Dio
Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial...
) from whom he has adopted the style of playing his keyboard tilted forward.
In the year of 2000 Janne assembled progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band Warmen
Warmen
Warmen is a Finnish metal band assembled by keyboard player Janne Viljami Wirman - also known as Warman. Janne has been playing with Children of Bodom since 1997, and on the year of 2000 created a musical project focused on instrumental work, which would only have guest singers on a few selected...
as his main side-project. The band's second album - Beyond Abilities - continued with the presence of Janne's brother Antti Wirman.
In 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 referred them to Janne instead. Thus, in early 2002, Janne took part in the recording of Masterplan's self-titled debut album. The band proceeded to offer him a permanent position, but Wirman opted to continue playing with Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
. Masterplan released their album and gave credit to Janne's work on the CD's booklet. The band's keyboard player Axel Mackenrott
Axel Mackenrott
Axel Mackenrott is the keyboard player for the heavy metal band Masterplan.Axel began playing at around 11 years of age with piano lessons, and went on to eventually acquire a bachelor of arts in musical sciences. In his early career he played in many small-time bands and cover bands, before he...
- hired after Janne's decline 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
Kotipelto
Kotipelto is a Finnish melodic power metal self-named band by Timo Kotipelto created during a hiatus in activity for power metal band Stratovarius...
's keyboard tracks, part of Ensiferum
Ensiferum
Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.-Musical...
's Iron album and Sinergy
Sinergy
Sinergy was a Finnish power metal band started in 1998 by American musician, Kimberly Goss. Aside from Sinergy, the most notable bands Goss has been involved with are Dimmu Borgir; as keyboardist, and Children of Bodom; where she filled in live for Janne Wirman and also contributed lyrics...
's fourth album.
Janne has had bad experiences with sponsor deals. He had deals with both Roland
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
Scandinavia and Korg
Korg
is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners...
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 Laiho 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.
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 JohanssonJens Johansson
Jens Ola Johansson is a Swedish power metal keyboardist and pianist. He is notable for his high-speed neoclassical and fusion style.-Biography:...
. It's a Korg Polysix
Korg Polysix
The Korg Polysix is a six voice programmable polyphonic synthesizer released by Korg in 1981.- Features :The synthesizer's main features are six-voice polyphony , 32 memory slots for patches and cassette port for backing up patches, and an arpeggiator.On its release it was, along with the Roland...
emulation patch Jens made for the JV1080.
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
With Children of Bodom
Albums- Something Wild (1997)
- HatebreederHatebreeder-Trivia:* The intro from the song “Warheart” is from the film Amadeus, Laiho’s favourite movie. The line is saying “From now on, we’re enemies. You and I.”.* The guitar solo of Black Widow is taken from a section a piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart...
(1999) - Tokyo WarheartsTokyo WarheartsTokyo Warhearts is the first live album by the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom which was recorded in 1999. It was recorded and filmed on July 10 and 11 of 1999 in Tokyo. The album was re-released on May 29, 2001...
(Live CD, 1999) - Follow the ReaperFollow the Reaper-Personnel:Children of Bodom*Alexi Laiho – vocals, lead guitar*Alexander Kuoppala – rhythm guitar*Janne Wirman – keyboards*Henkka Seppälä – bass*Jaska Raatikainen – drumsProduction*Peter Tägtgren – production, engineering...
(2000) - Hate Crew DeathrollHate Crew Deathroll-Personnel:Children of Bodom*Alexi Laiho – vocals, lead guitar*Alexander Kuoppala – rhythm guitar*Janne Wirman – keyboards*Henkka Seppälä – bass*Jaska Raatikainen – drumsProduction*Produced and recorded by Anssi Kippo*Mixed by Mikko Karmila...
(2003) - Are You Dead Yet?Are You Dead Yet?-Personnel:Children of Bodom*Alexi Laiho – vocals, guitar*Roope Latvala – guitar*Janne Wirman – keyboards*Henkka Seppälä – bass*Jaska Raatikainen – drumsAdditional musicians*Alexander Kuoppala – rhythm guitar on "Somebody Put Something in My Drink"...
(2005) - Stockholm Knockout LiveStockholm Knockout Live-DVD only media:* Chaos Ridden Years: The Children of Bodom Documentary* Making of Stockholm Knockout Live* Deleted Scenes* Photo Gallery* Promotional Videos:** "Are You Dead Yet?"** "Downfall"** "Deadnight Warrior"** "Everytime I Die"** "In Your Face"...
(2006) - BlooddrunkBlooddrunk-Personnel:Children of Bodom*Alexi Laiho – vocals, guitar*Roope Latvala – guitar*Janne Wirman – keyboards*Henkka Seppälä – bass*Jaska Raatikainen – drumsProduction*Produced, recorded, and mixed by Mikko Karmila*Vocals recorded by Peter Tägtgren...
(2008) - Skeletons in the Closet (2009)
- Relentless Reckless ForeverRelentless Reckless ForeverRelentless Reckless Forever is the seventh album by Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, released on March 8, 2011 through Spinefarm Records / Universal Music.-Background:...
(2011)
Singles & EPs
- Children of Bodom (Single, 1997)
- Downfall (Single, 1998)
- Hate Me! (Single, 2000)
- You're Better Off Dead!' (Single, 2002)
- Trashed, Lost & StrungoutTrashed, Lost & StrungoutEP-CDEP-DVD-Personnel:Children of Bodom*Alexi Laiho – vocals, lead guitar*Roope Latvala – guitar*Janne Wirman – keyboards*Henkka Seppälä – bass*Jaska Raatikainen – drumsProduction*Produced and recorded by Anssi Kippo*Mixed by Mikko Karmila...
(EP, 2004) - In Your Face (Single, 2005)
- Blooddrunk (Single, 2008)
With Warmen
Albums- Unknown SoldierUnknown Soldier (album)Unknown Soldier is the first studio album from progressive metal band Warmen, released in February 2000.-Track listing:# "Introduction" – 0:51# "The Evil That Warmen Do" – 4:12 # "Devil's Mistress" – 5:52...
(2000) - Beyond AbilitiesBeyond AbilitiesBeyond Abilities is the second studio album from progressive metal band Warmen. Beyond Abilities includes more tracks with vocals than its predecessor Unknown Soldier. The CDs name and title track, as well as the track Salieri Strikes Back come from the movie Amadeus.-Track listing:# "Beyond...
(2001) - Accept the FactAccept the FactAccept the Fact is the third studio album from power metal band Warmen. Like its predecessor, Beyond Abilities, the CD's name and title track are based on the movie Amadeus...
(2005) - Japanese HospitalityJapanese Hospitality"Japanese Hospitality" is the title of the fourth album from Children of Bodom keyboardist Janne Wirman's Warmen project. The album was released August 24 via Spinefarm Records. The album includes two cover versions — "Separate Ways", originally recorded by Journey, and "Black Cat" by Janet Jackson...
(2009)
Singles
- Somebody's Watching MeSomebody's Watching Me"Somebody's Watching Me" is the debut single by R&B artist Rockwell, released on the Motown label in 1984. The song's lyrics relate the narrator's paranoid fear of being followed and watched. It featured former Motown artists Michael Jackson on the chorus and Jermaine Jackson on additional backing...
(Single, 2005) - They All Blame Me (Single, 2005)
- Alone (Single, 2001)
With Kotipelto
Albums- Waiting for the Dawn (2002)
- ColdnessColdness (album)Coldness is the second album by power metal band Kotipelto, released in 2004 while Stratovarius was in hiatus.- Track listing :All music and lyrics written by Timo Kotipelto# "Seeds of Sorrow" - 4:09# "Reasons" - 3:46# "Around" - 5:24...
(2004) - SerenitySerenity (Kotipelto album)Serenity is the third album by power metal band Kotipelto, released in 2007 while Stratovarius was in hiatus.-Track listing:#"Once upon a Time" - 3:21#"Sleep Well" - 4:16#"Serenity" - 3:32#"City of Mysteries" - 4:20#"King Anti-Midas" - 4:06...
(2007)
Singles
- "Beginning" (2002) - single
- "Reasons" (2004) - single
- "Take Me Away" (2004) - single
- "Sleep WellSleep WellSleep Well is an album by the electronic music group Electric President. Released on June 24, 2008 in the United States on the Morr Music label, the album is their follow-up to their 2006 debut album, S/T.-Track listing:#"Monsters" – 4:36...
" (2006) - single
With Masterplan
Albums- Masterplan (2003)