Janne Viljami Wirman
| Janne Wirman | |
|---|---|
Janne Warman at Ilosaarirock 2009
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| Background information | |
| Born |
26 April 1979 Espoo, Finland |
| Genres | Melodic death metal, power metal, neoclassical metal, progressive metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Keyboards, synthesizer, piano |
| Years active | 1997 – present |
| Labels | Spinefarm, Nuclear Blast, Century Media |
| Associated acts | Children of Bodom, Warmen, Masterplan, Kotipelto |
| Website | Children of Bodom official site |
Janne Viljami "Warman" Wirman (born 26 April 1979) is a Finnish musician; he is the keyboardist for the bands Children of Bodom and Warmen.
Born in the city of Espoo, Finland, 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. Wirman 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 vocalist and lead guitarist 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, Wirman assembled progressive metal band Warmen as his main side-project. The band's second album, Beyond Abilities, continued with the presence of his brother Antti Wirman.
In the same year, 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, Wirman took part in the recording of Masterplan's self-titled debut album. The band proceeded to offer him a permanent position, but Warman opted to continue playing with Children of Bodom. Masterplan released their album and gave credit to Wirman's work on the CD's booklet. The band's keyboard player Axel Mackenrott, hired after Wirman's decline to enter the band, appeared on all of the promotional pictures, and was officially credited as Masterplan's keyboardist.
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