Please note that Janne and any other members do not personally reply to or check messages on this space, thanks!
Born in the town of Espoo, 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 melodic death 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 Alexi Laiho. This synchrony can be better observed on their live performances, or on the Tokyo Warhearts album, on the tracks War of Razors and Downfall.
His primary influence is the keyboard player Jens Johansson from Stratovarius (also played with guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen and Dio). He has adopted the oddity of tilting his keyboard slightly on-stage from his idol.
In the year of 2000 Janne assembled the speed metal band Warmen and embraced it as his main side-project. The band's second album - Beyond Abilities - counted with the presence of Janne's brother Antti Wirman.
On the same year, Jens Johansson was asked by the melodic 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 Iron's albums and Sinergy's fourth album.
The third album from Warmen is here, a true delight for fans of progressive metal, or simply well-crafted hard rock for that matter. The Children Of Bodom keyboardist Janne Warman has certainly upped the ante for bands playing technical metal music with his solo-albums so far, and there is no letdown on the third one either. Besides the lightning-fingered band mastermind himself, there are tons of amazing talent on display, delivered both by the permanent band members and an all stars cast of guest personnel.
YaY!! Thanks for the add! I just wanted to say that I love your music sooo much! I just saw Children back in March and I got to take a pic with you! I was trembling sooo bad!!
