Tonmi Lillman
Encyclopedia
Tonmi Kristian Lillman is a musician who officially changed his first name from Tommi to Tonmi in 2004.
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.
, 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.
, Sabian symbals and Pro-Mark
drum sticks, and has signed an endorsement contract with the aforementioned labels. 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 beat
s. 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
Sabian
Wuhan
Mary-Ann
To/Die/For
Sinergy
HateFrame
Kylähullut
Vanguard
Ajattara
Reflexion
Twilight Ophera
and the Waning Tyfereth
Served Dead
. He has also worked as an editor
on music video
s, 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 banner
s and animation
for various on-line gaming sites.
Career
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 kitDrum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
at age nine and started performing live at age 14. Apart from drums and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, his primary instruments, Tonmi also plays the
keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. He is currently involved in the bands Kylähullut
Kylähullut
Kylähullut is a Finnish punk rock band consisting of Alexi Laiho , Tonmi Lillman , and Vesku Jokinen . The band name means "Village Idiots" in Finnish.The band was formed by Alexi Laiho as a side project, in 2004...
, Vanguard and 3rror. From his previous bands, he became best known as the drummer of 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...
and To/Die/For
To/Die/For
To/Die/For is a gothic metal band from the town of Kouvola in southeast of Finland, assembled in 1993 as a hard rock band under the name Mary-Ann. In 1999, they decided to change their musical style to gothic metal, changing their band name as well...
.
In his professional career Lillman has also taught digital recording
Digital recording
In digital recording, digital audio and digital video is directly recorded to a storage device as a stream of discrete numbers, representing the changes in air pressure for audio and chroma and luminance values for video through time, thus making an abstract template for the original sound or...
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.
Studio work
Lillman has appeared on several albums, acting as a studio musician for bands such as ReflexionReflexion (band)
Reflexion is a mix of Gothic Metal, Alternative Metal and Melodic Hard Rock band from Finland.Formed as Enchanted in 1995, but in 1996 they changed their name to Barbarianz, and then to Reflexion in 2000.-Members:* Juha Kylmänen – Vocals...
, Twilight Ophera
Twilight Ophera
Twilight Ophera is a symphonic black metal band from Finland. The band formed in 1996, and signed with British label Cacophonous the following year...
, and for instance providing the drum work for the Guitar Heroes -album. Recently Tonmi has distinguished himself as a studio engineer
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, mixing
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
and recording
Recording
Recording is the process of capturing data or translating information to a recording format stored on some storage medium, which is often referred to as a record or, if an auditory medium, a recording....
such bands as Beherit
Beherit (band)
Beherit is a black metal band from Finland. The band was formed in 1989 by Nuclear Holocausto , Black Jesus and Sodomatic Slaughter , with the purpose of performing "the most primitive, savage, hell-obsessed black metal imaginable." "Beherit" is the Syriac word for Satan...
, 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.
Equipment
Tonmi Lillman uses Pearl drumsPearl Drums
Founded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
, Sabian symbals and Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark is a Houston, Texas-based American drumstick company owned by founder Herb Brochstein. It is a widely known stick company generally played in drum set, drum and bugle corps and concert bands.-History:...
drum sticks, and has signed an endorsement contract with the aforementioned labels. Lillman is known for his characteristic style of drum placement and is a devout user of double kick drums
Bass drum
Bass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
. His style of drumming is rooted in rock, so he values good groove and a strong rhythmic backbone, combined with innovative fills
Fill (music)
In popular music, a fill is a short musical passage, riff, or rhythmic sound which helps to sustain the listener's attention during a break between the phrases of a melody....
, over high speeds and blast beat
Blast beat
A blast beat is a drum beat often associated with extreme metal and grindcore, although its usage predates the genres, and is utilised by many different styles of metal...
s. Tonmi mentions as his main influences the drummers Teijo "Twist Twist" Erkinharju, Mikkey Dee
Mikkey Dee
Micael Kiriakos Delaoglou , better known as Mikkey Dee is a drummer/songwriter in the Heavy metal band Motörhead. A Swede of Greek descent, he has been known for his speed and precision since his mid-80s stint with King Diamond.- Early life :Delaoglou began his musical career with local bands...
, Deen Castronovo
Deen Castronovo
Deen Castronovo is an Italian American drummer who has played in various bands, including Kandles at Nine, Cacophony, Bad English, Journey, The Enemy, Wild Dogs, Dr. Mastermind, Hardline, Planet Us, Soul Sirkus, Social Distortion, and Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler's G/Z/R, as well as in...
, and his greatest influence as Dave Weckl
Dave Weckl
Dave Weckl is a highly acclaimed jazz fusion drummer. Weckl attended Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, MO and graduated in 1978. He majored in jazz studies at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut...
.
Tonmi Lillman’s drum kit
Pearl
Pearl Drums
Founded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
Masters Premium MMP
- 20" x 18" kick drum x 2
- 8" x 8" tom tom
- 10" x 10" tom tom
- 12" x 12" tom tom
- 14" x 12" tom tom
- 16" x 14" tom tom
- Eliminator P-2000C x 2 pedals
- 13" x 5" Omar Hakim Signature snare
Cymbals
Sabian
- 16" AAX X-Plosion Fast Crash
- 17" AAX Stage Crash
- 17" AAX Studio Crash
- 17" AAX X-Plosion Crash
- 17" AAX Dark Crash
- 18" AAX Stage Crash
- 18" AAX X-Plosion Crash
- 19" AAX Metal Crash
- 20" AAX Metal Ride
- 14" AAX Studio Hi-hat
- 14" AAX Stage Hi-hat
Wuhan
- 20" S series Medium Heavy Ride
- 12" China
- 18" China
Discography
The Blue Yodle- Under the moonUnder the MoonUnder the Moon was an offbeat, late-night 1990s sports show on the UK's Channel 4. The show was originally hosted by Danny Kelly and comedian Tim Clark...
1996, drums
Mary-Ann
- Mary-Ann 1997, drums, bass, guitar
To/Die/For
To/Die/For
To/Die/For is a gothic metal band from the town of Kouvola in southeast of Finland, assembled in 1993 as a hard rock band under the name Mary-Ann. In 1999, they decided to change their musical style to gothic metal, changing their band name as well...
- All EternityAll EternityAll Eternity is the first studio album by Finnish Gothic Rock/Metal band To/Die/For.-Track listing:-References:* bands by letter - T - To/Die/For - All Eternity...
1999, drums, bass, keyboard, production - In The Heat Of The Night 2000, drums, bass, keyboard, programming, production
- Epilogue 2001, drums, bass, keyboard, programming, production
- Hollow Heart 2001, drums, bass, keyboard, programming, production
- JadedJaded (album)Jaded is the third album by Finnish Gothic-Doom Metal band To/Die/For.-Track listing:# Dying Embers - 3:51# Died in Your Arms - 4:27# Too Much Ain't Enough - 4:47# The Unknown II - 5:48# Jaded - 4:31...
2003, drums, bass, keyboard, programming, production - Epilogue From the Past 2010, in tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17 drums, bass, keyboards, programming, production, also in track 13 recording and mixing
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...
- To Hell And BackTo Hell and Back (album)To Hell and Back is the second album by the power metal band Sinergy, it was released in the year of 2000. It featured a cover-version of "Hanging on the Telephone", originally by Blondie. The song Last Escape is probably inspired by the game Resident Evil 3. Also, the song "Gallowmere" is inspired...
2000, drums - Suicide By My SideSuicide by My SideSuicide By My Side is the third album by the power metal band Sinergy, released in 2002. It shows a substantial progress in their musical style; singer Kimberly Goss performs in a sharper, more aggressive vocal style, and guitarists Alexi Laiho and Roope Latvala perform more technical solos...
2002, drums
HateFrame
- Sign Of Demise 2004, drums, recording, mixing, production
Kylähullut
Kylähullut
Kylähullut is a Finnish punk rock band consisting of Alexi Laiho , Tonmi Lillman , and Vesku Jokinen . The band name means "Village Idiots" in Finnish.The band was formed by Alexi Laiho as a side project, in 2004...
- Keisarin leikkaus 2004, drums, bass
- Turpa täynnäTurpa TäynnäTurpa Täynnä is a musical album released in 2005 by the Finnish punk rock band Kylähullut.-Track listing:# "Aika " - 0:56# "...Ja Jeesus ei pysy ristillään! " – 3:07...
2005, drums, bass - Lisää persettä rättipäille 2007, drums, bass
- Peräaukko SivistyksessäPeräaukko SivistyksessäPeräaukko Sivistyksessä is the second album by Finnish punk band Kylähullut.The album was released in 2007.-Track listing:# "Intro. Pillu." - 00:41 # "Kieli hanurissa" - 02:49# "Kameratutkat, suoriksi mutkat" - 02:11# "Lävistetyn laulu" - 02:05...
2007, drums, bass
Vanguard
- Hydralchemy 2009, drums, keyboard, programming, recording, mixing, production
Ajattara
Ajattara (band)
Ajattara is a five-piece atmospheric black metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They formed in 1996 and are still active. They are signed to Spinefarm Records and have released six albums, their most recent being Murhat, which was released in early 2011....
- Kalmanto 2007, drums
- Tulppaani 2007, drums
- Noitumaa 2009, drums, bass, recording, mixing, production
- Joululevy 2009, on tracks 1-6 drums, additional on track 6 recording and mixing
Reflexion
Reflexion (band)
Reflexion is a mix of Gothic Metal, Alternative Metal and Melodic Hard Rock band from Finland.Formed as Enchanted in 1995, but in 1996 they changed their name to Barbarianz, and then to Reflexion in 2000.-Members:* Juha Kylmänen – Vocals...
- EdgeEdge (Reflexion album)Edge is the third studio album by the Finnish band Reflexion. It was recorded at Mastervox, State Railroad and Park Street Studios, mixed by Hiili Hiilesmaa at Coalhole and mastered at Chartmakers by Svante Forsback.- Track listing :...
2010, drums
Twilight Ophera
Twilight Ophera
Twilight Ophera is a symphonic black metal band from Finland. The band formed in 1996, and signed with British label Cacophonous the following year...
and the Waning Tyfereth
- Divine X Plagues TBA, drums
Served Dead
- Servants Arrise TBA, drums
Graphics and music videos
Besides music, Tonmi works as a graphic designer specializing in 3D-graphics3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
. He has also worked as an editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
on music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s, such as on Ajattara
Ajattara (band)
Ajattara is a five-piece atmospheric black metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They formed in 1996 and are still active. They are signed to Spinefarm Records and have released six albums, their most recent being Murhat, which was released in early 2011....
's "...Putoan" and "Ikuisen Aamun Sara", ”Marks On My Face” by Mind Of Doll, the Kylähullut
Kylähullut
Kylähullut is a Finnish punk rock band consisting of Alexi Laiho , Tonmi Lillman , and Vesku Jokinen . The band name means "Village Idiots" in Finnish.The band was formed by Alexi Laiho as a side project, in 2004...
video "Kieli hanurissa" and on "Whisper" by Vanguard. He has designed the Cover Art
Cover art
Cover art is the illustration or photograph on the outside of a published product such as a book , magazine, comic book, video game , DVD, CD, videotape, or music album. The art has a primarily commercial function, i.e...
for bands like To/Die/For
To/Die/For
To/Die/For is a gothic metal band from the town of Kouvola in southeast of Finland, assembled in 1993 as a hard rock band under the name Mary-Ann. In 1999, they decided to change their musical style to gothic metal, changing their band name as well...
, 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...
, Kylähullut
Kylähullut
Kylähullut is a Finnish punk rock band consisting of Alexi Laiho , Tonmi Lillman , and Vesku Jokinen . The band name means "Village Idiots" in Finnish.The band was formed by Alexi Laiho as a side project, in 2004...
, 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
Lordi
Lordi is a Finnish hard rock/heavy metal band, formed in 1996 by the band's lead singer, songwriter and costume-designer, Mr. Lordi. The band is known for wearing monster masks and using pyrotechnics during concerts...
’s European tour. Other graphical works include web designing, site production and providing banner
Banner
A banner is a flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or other message. Banner-making is an ancient craft.The word derives from late Latin bandum, a cloth out of which a flag is made...
s and animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
for various on-line gaming sites.