Did You Know: Sonata Arctica's Keyboardist..

[Irish]

Uses a Kurzweil K2600XS?

I didn't know this, but I thought that was awesome, and a great endorsement for a great keyboard! He's the only person besides Jordan that I know uses one! (Famous, at least :lol: )

Anyway, maybe this is common knowledge, but I figured I'd share that tidbit because it was a neat discovery.

Back to work defending the country!

[Deceit]

N O O O!
Nooo way!
Stratovarius cover band keyboardist with a gear different than the ONE AND ONLY band who can play that genre without sounding cheesy! Unbelievable! And hey, doesn't he tilt the key the same angle as Jens just to be a little more...Jens-ish?
Ok guys, being fan is ok, I tilt my controller as well, but those Sonata Arctica REALLY need some originality. Speed is not everything. They have taken the BAD things of Stratovarius (the downfall -> Infinite) and made that their "trademark". And THE LYRICS! Guys, who has written the lyrics! There's the whole "I'm internet-phobic"-thing, the whole "Mwahahah I'm a maniac gonna rape you" thing, then in the new album this whole mystery about this fag wizard with fag wolves and the whole fag arctic thing and the fag ring...damn give me a break! Ok, you toured with Rhapsody but that doesn't mean you have to get your lyrics even worse!
The old keyboardist looked more serious but HEY, have you seen that photo with that terrible finger position?
Then, guys, the new one as far as I know plays almost the whole gig with a strap-on controller...that thing I own as well is meant for solos, it has not enough range to play a whole gig...
Well, anyway, I'm always the guy blaming finnish bands because they're all the same out of the same cauldron just because they go the same clubs and know each other and just...oh god, fortunately Yngwie is Swedish...maybe that's why he has a personality :P.
Ok I stop criticising or I'm gonna make more and more enemies. Let's go watch Rush In Rio and forget that garbage.
Deceit.

[Liquid Shadow]

Their old keyboardist played at a crazilt tilted angle...hurt just to watch him and try and play that thing. The new guy...I agree with Deceit, he really shouldn't be using a keytar for the whole show, but he must not be amazing anyway since he obviously doesn't seem to care that he's losing the use of one of his hands (50% of his fingers!) as well as quite a few keys...all so he can walk around?

Whatever...

[Kirby]

I don't know why Sonata Arctica's music needs Kurzweil. Maybe he plays the Kurz with his Remote Keyboard? ;)

Janne Warman of Children of Bodom also tilts his Board in Jens style.

[Deceit]

Tilting the keyboard is not ONLY Jens's style. Derek Sherinian does it as well, and maybe Jens wasn't even the first one (but maybe the best known)...I do it as well because I think it's both good for your wrists (if the angle is right, which means you have to lay your arms completely relaxed and the wrists mustn't be bent to reach the keyboard) and for the people who actually see you messing up with a thousand keys :D. In fact I do it to show the people that there's no sequencer and that I'm actually playing every single note (differently from what I heard about Janne Wirman, the solo sampler).
Deceit.

[MikkoHarkin]

I registered only to answer to Deceit (wasted-time, anyway)


-You dont like SonataArctica, dont listen it...

-You find the lyrics stupid, dont listen to the lyrics or just dont read them...

-Some keyboardists like to tilt the keyboard not only to prove they plays every single note or for a form of vanity, or to be more Jens-ish...also because you have less weight and tension on your harms...but you already said that Maestro!

-Horrible fingers position? Could be for a lot of reasons. Can you tell me exactly why this position only with the help of a pic? At least dont look the pic if it hurt you.

-Janne Wirman is a great keyboard player so stop saying shit on him.

-Stop talking in this way...you seems to be the God of Keys spitting holy-judgments here and there. You are allowed to dont like or hate something but try to be respectful on others works.

-Some people love Sonata Arctica and Children of Bodom, and also Rhapsody...this means something....try to respect those people at least when you write.

-You are an Ace on judgments...why dont you post something of your stuff.

[Deceit]

The time will come. At the moment everything's being rearranged and I'm, as I said, 8 hours of plane from home :).
It's a matter of taste anyway, dear Mikko...you the real one? No way :D, must be some sword-drawn finnish power stuff fan.
Can't actually find the photo (the one with the hair all over his face and the left hand fingers almost all lifted), here's the topic anyway:
http://jordanrudess.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1531&start=0
:)
Cool down, man. And go have a listening of some serious keyboardists. A name?
http://www.ken-hensley.com/
Ken Hensley. Oh, and check his kickass solos on the new AYREON album.
Deceit.

[MikkoHarkin]

Nonsense-speaking...

Would you please be more respectful with others people work?

Would you think you are?

Something against finns? Are you racist maybe?

Even if i hate Ayeron(and it's not the case) i would NEVER, NEVER spit judgments or shit on him. So stop your crusade against Janne, Mikko or whatelse you dont like.

Try to be more humble...and spend more time on your keys, when you'll be able to play like a Jens-coverband-Keyboardist it will be a wonderfull result.


I saw that pic...what's wrong Maestro?

[Deceit]

I told you, look somewhere else. It's not hard to play like the guys you mentioned. Except for Jens (whosee best works are indeed his fusion-like solo works), they totally miss warmth in playing.
I respect fellow keyboardists on same basic grounds (we all play keyboards), I don't respect bands and don't have to in any way, when there's clear copying going on...oh well, I won't spend any other word in you. I don't think I am anyone but someone with a music culture WAY bigger than yours, at least I passed through the "finn metal" phase and got into the only genre that leaves total freedom to a keyboardist - progressive. I'm not racist, I just don't like people who play without personality and inspiration.
Again, come back when you know who Rick Wakeman or Ken Hensley are. And don't use google man :).
Deceit.

[MikkoHarkin]

Ahahahah...dont make me laugh.


"It's not hard to play like the guys you mentioned"

Show us...

"I don't think I am anyone but someone with a music culture WAY bigger than yours"

The way you speak doesnt confirm this...


To finish, i think you have to learn a LOT, but A LOT... first thing of all?

TO BE HUMBLE.

[lighthouse]

Well guys........I think is alright to have different musical tastes and opinions about players....and It`s alright to discuss about them.....but we here try to discuss things in an adult way don`t throwing words and insults at eachother.......


Juan Pablo

[Deceit]

And you have to learn how to become less HAPPY POWER METAL FUCKING POSER.
What counts in music is being true to an ideal.
Learn, you whimp.
http://www.manowar.com/
Deceit.

[assassin]

the whole "Mwahahah I'm a maniac gonna rape you" thing, then in the new album this whole mystery about this fag wizard with fag wolves and the whole fag arctic thing and the fag ring...

And you have to learn how to become less HAPPY POWER METAL FUCKING POSER.
Learn, you whimp.

C'mon! Unless you're 12 years old teen with a bad angst, stop writing like one.

[Deceit]

I'm not a 12yo teen, first of all. And I have my own musical beliefs in total opposition with the whole wave of shit metal.
Second of all, who are you? This is my private battle with "Mikko" :P.
Deceit.

[Liquid Shadow]

If it was a "private" battle, it wouldn't be open for everyone to read and to post in at will. There's nothing saying that nobody else can throw their $0.02 into the discussion.


On the topic of all these bands being ripoffs of one another...meh. There are obvious similarities between them, which is due to the fact that they are all power metal. Same style, similar songs. I still have yet to hear any Sonata Arctica song that directly rips off Stratovarius, even if their songs *could* be passed off as Strato songs since they are so similar in style. That much is obvious. The thing is...there's no sin in them doing that. As long as there are new riffs coming out, it doesn't matter who is playing them. Sonata Arctica has every right to have Strato-esque music as Stratovarius themselves do. Nobody has the sole rights to power metal.
Their guitarist is a better soloist than Tolkki anyways. :wink:

As far as Warman programming his solos, I've never heard or seen any viable proof of this. As a matter of fact, I've seen proof that at least one of the people making these claims were just bullshitting, on this forum no less.
Someone claimed to have been backstage before a Bodom show, and he saw Janne programming his solos.
Problems:
-Unless it was the first show of the tour, wouldn't his solos already be programmed from previous shows? I know that Bodom don't have an always-changing setlist, at least to the extreme that DT have taken it, so there's no reason for him to be doing it show after show after show. They would already be programmed and saved.
-Wtf is he doing it right before the show for? I would think he'd prepare a little more in advance with that type of thing...
-His keyboard is tilted, and everyone can see him playing. What is he going to do...push a button and stand there while his solo plays?


And switching subjects again ( :lol: ) I don't think it means anything when someone tilts their keyboard, except that they want to tilt their keyboard. Jens was likely one of the first to do it, but as mentioned, Sherinian does, Warman does, Alberto Shcettino does, the old Sonata player does, Deceit (what's your name? my turn to ask :wink: ), I do it, and tons of people do it. It doesn't mean someone is trying to copy anyone else any more than someone who plays with an Apex stand is trying to look like Kevin Moore. It's becoming more and more popular now, probably both because of the comfort factor and the visual factor. People can actually see you playing, which is a lot nicer than watching the back of a keyboard for a whole show. Think about it...playing styles aside, would you rather watch Mike Pinella or Jens Johansson in concert?

[MikkoHarkin]

Why to say "SHIT METAL", " And you have to learn how to become less HAPPY POWER METAL FUCKING POSER." or insults different musical tastes than yours? Think to other people when you write...

You act like a child...grow up.

And btw...what "private-battle"? You speak like a power-epic-fantsy fan, not very prog... :roll: :wink: (I LOVE FANTASY)

[VintageMan]

I don't think I am anyone but someone with a music culture WAY bigger than yours, at least I passed through the "finn metal" phase and got into the only genre that leaves total freedom to a keyboardist - progressive. I'm not racist, I just don't like people who play without personality and inspiration.


deceit, you just came in here and said that progressive is superior to all other kinds of music, and uncalled for bashed a band and all the people that likes it... please tell me i am wrong. at your first post i though you were being ironic, but then you replied to some ficticious(or not) ex-band member... i rest my case.

this topic is not in any way constructive, i think it should be locked.

in my opinion, people are free to copy and play even "twinkle little star" if they like forever and people are free to buy cds they like. for a moment i forgot i was in a musicians forum. really sad.


EDIT: and i just found out that the sonata guy doesn't really uses the k2600(its not even his), he just borrowed from the vocalist.

[Bastardo Demono]

N O O O!
Nooo way!
Stratovarius cover band keyboardist with a gear different than the ONE AND ONLY band who can play that genre without sounding cheesy! Unbelievable! And hey, doesn't he tilt the key the same angle as Jens just to be a little more...Jens-ish?
Ok guys, being fan is ok, I tilt my controller as well, but those Sonata Arctica REALLY need some originality. Speed is not everything. They have taken the BAD things of Stratovarius (the downfall -> Infinite) and made that their "trademark". And THE LYRICS! Guys, who has written the lyrics! There's the whole "I'm internet-phobic"-thing, the whole "Mwahahah I'm a maniac gonna rape you" thing, then in the new album this whole mystery about this fag wizard with fag wolves and the whole fag arctic thing and the fag ring...damn give me a break! Ok, you toured with Rhapsody but that doesn't mean you have to get your lyrics even worse!
The old keyboardist looked more serious but HEY, have you seen that photo with that terrible finger position?
Then, guys, the new one as far as I know plays almost the whole gig with a strap-on controller...that thing I own as well is meant for solos, it has not enough range to play a whole gig...
Well, anyway, I'm always the guy blaming finnish bands because they're all the same out of the same cauldron just because they go the same clubs and know each other and just...oh god, fortunately Yngwie is Swedish...maybe that's why he has a personality :P.
Ok I stop criticising or I'm gonna make more and more enemies. Let's go watch Rush In Rio and forget that garbage.
Deceit.

hey man whats your damn problem. are you jealous or something? how can you critisize a band like, where is your shit to back it up? Are you a better player then this guy? Are you a lyrical master? Also, whats with the constant use of the word "fag"... are you a closet homosexual or something? and you know, I dont think jens would offer to play solos on a record of a band he thought sucked/was a ripoff of stratos style. and even if they were a shit no talent generic power metal band, instead of a solid band with great melodic sensabiity and musicianship which I think they are, at least they arent playing dance pop. why would you single out such a skilled player, the metal keyboardist in general is a rare breed?

I know it must be nice to feel like you have the power to bash such incredibily skilled musicians you will never be in ranks with, but you are just making yourself out to be one huge prick. And Unlike a lot of guys here, I have not heard anything from you that would put you even in the same building as any of the keyboardists you bash. Maybe you have a distorted ego or sense of playing fast shredlike neo-classical, well try actually playing some of these guys solos clean, in time with a metronome.

I cant believe mikko actually dignified this asshole with a response (if its really him)

[Enigma™]

Why to say "SHIT METAL", " And you have to learn how to become less HAPPY POWER METAL FUCKING POSER." or insults different musical tastes than yours? Think to other people when you write...

You act like a child...grow up.

And btw...what "private-battle"? You speak like a power-epic-fantsy fan, not very prog... :roll: :wink: (I LOVE FANTASY)

This goes to both of you and you damn well know who you are.

You want to fight like children, you're going to be grounded like children. Either you two work out your differences and stop acting like fucking 7 year olds or you're both getting a temporary ban until you learn to calm down.

Do I make myself clear?

If not: It's okay to express an opinion but personal attacks aren't permitted at this board. Either you grow up or there'll be hell to pay.

You both have my word on that.

[Deceit]

Whoops. Wrong editing.

[Deceit]

You have my word I won't argue in any way, I'll keep my beliefs about this discussion to me.
Close the topic, if you wish.
Oh and by the way, if everyone felt offended in any way...sorry guys.
It's just I'm out of a certain kind of music of which I don't have actually any high consideration AT ALL.
@Enigma: I know how hard is to keep a forum going on just fine, so...I apologize.
@MikkoHarkin: Sorry. Admitting you're the ex-SA keyboardist, well, I guess it wasn't really fair blaming shit on what was your music. I hope you'll have a better future with your project (Wingdom, I guess).
@Liquid Shadow: read my signature and guess who :). My name is Valerio, it's actually latin and it means valor, pride.
@Bastardo Demono: no closet homosexual here, you're wrong :); not that being or not homosexual really matters...e.g. Rob Halford's sexuality is well known and he's still one of the best Heavy Metal \m/ singers in the world IMHO. I can't comment the rest or someone's gonna ban me :) the last thing I can say is I hope Jens doesn't ask a favor back to Sonata Arctica for his future releases.

"Subdivisions -
In the high school halls.
In the shopping malls.
Conform or be cast out."
Rush - Subdivisions.

Deceit.

[Enigma™]

you've both got pm's.

[Taurus]

I like Warmen. And I like some Sonata Arctica songs. I dont care much if wether they play like jordan rudess or not, or are among the 'true artists' who are sensitive and try to create masterpieces all the time.

They got a job! And they're doing it well. Warmen is a good player, sure, Jens is better, but hell, look at both their ages. Derek Sherinian wasnt as good with DT as he is right now. Im sure all keyboardists will improve. Tastes are different.
For example, ppl who dont play keys or maybe even not play an instrument at all sometimes rather listen to SA, Strato and such, because its easier for the hearing. It doesnt tense the brain so much without all those complicated rhythms, poetic lyrics that make double sense and incredible solos etc..

me not a big fan of any of these powermetal bands, but i respect all of their keyboards. if anyone thinks they're not so good, dont worry, they'll get better. but they HAVE a job and play in a pro band...

Anyone jealous? ;)

[VintageMan]

by the way...

http://www.sonataarctica.info/pics/live/summerbreeze2004-silence/SummerBreeze026.jpg

NIIIICE paintjob...

and i think he is reaching for something on his left hand... what that may be?

[Alucard]

Maybe a Karma...

Or is going to push the sequencer on? :roll: 8) :wink:

[Deceit]

I must admit the paintjob is somewhat awesome :)...UNTIL I'LL PAINT MY TILT OLD CRAPPY QS WAITING TO BE RUINED BY ME MWAHAHAH :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: . I still have to choose the color: red would be like my AX-1 but too similar to Derek's gear, and if I do something I want something personal. I'm considering, if available, some kind of purple metalized (a bit darker than the Karma, much more on violet than on red) - or maybe even light blue, but I want no flat color, I want something shiny and glam :D. The work won't be hard, I just have to unplug the keybed, cover the buttons and lcd with paper tape, protect the circuitry and outputs, and everything should go fine. Then I'll have to paint around the buttons with a miniature brush (like Warhammer ones :D).
Anyway, IMHO AX-1 is much better than AX-7 - first of all, the red aggressive color is much better than that pearl white. And who uses 128 presets? 32 are enough. Ok, the D-Beam is cool, but hey, it's just another controller, I don't know if you can assign it to external non-Roland boards (which, in tech terms, translates in "if you can assign MIDI CC#xx"), and I prefer an expression pedal much better. Thumbs up for the TOTALLY MANIAC painting precision.
And yes, it looks like a Karma - if he hasn't painted a Triton to look like a Karma, which isn't *really* wise. But there are more knobs so...
I must beg Mikko's pardon and quote Taurus for the Derek Sherinian part - we're all young (at least, all the guys under 35 :D) and we've plenty of time to improve our style. We just have to wish it. I've been thinking a lot in this period about the privilege of being young and having all the opportunities, all the ways open and still to be defined. This feeling makes you want to stay young and unexpressed, like Dorian Gray (check that book out, it's definitely AWESOME - except for the victorian living room chatter parts, which Oscar Wilde clearly hated and wanted to criticise by the sharp weapon of his ironic art). But we all have to grow up someday, don't we?
Wow, I'm becoming a philosopher ;) just joking.
Have a nice day! (Got my MIC200 from the shop, that's why I'm so happy)
Deceit.

[Alucard]

we're all young (at least, all the guys under 35 ) and we've plenty of time to improve our style. Deceit.


But...
Janne, Mikko are already famous, they travel world playing their music, they meet a lot intersting people and they make money with this... and have A LOT OF FUN AND FANS.


Btw a question (after reading the past posts)...Dont you go to play with SonataArctica if they'll call you?

:roll: :wink:

[Liquid Shadow]

Sweet paintjob! 8)

Cool that he's using that left hand of his as well.

I'm actually interested to hear how good a player he is, asn he hasn't played on any Sonata albums yet, and the only live recording I could find was Hollow, which is just some soft backing stuff for the keyboard part.

[VintageMan]

we're all young (at least, all the guys under 35 ) and we've plenty of time to improve our style. Deceit.


But...
Janne, Mikko are already famous, they travel world playing their music, they meet a lot intersting people and they make money with this... and have A LOT OF FUN AND FANS.


Btw a question (after reading the past posts)...Dont you go to play with SonataArctica if they'll call you?

:roll: :wink:


let's forget about this shall we?

[Alucard]

okay

[EdKeys]

I was actually having fun reading the whole finnish keyboardist war.....

[Taurus]

Im sick of the Picture of Dorian Gray, i read it so many many times. But its an awsome book indeed, Deceit haha.

hmm some ppl say i look meaner and meaner on every photo... And always 'older' than i look like in reality.. bah.. Ah well, perhaps its just my hairdo that changes.

[Spock's Theater]

Deceit, your comments sometimes make my blood boil, and it's not because I'm Finnish nor do I even like the bands mentioned in this thread. You need to learn to respect someone elses oppinion eventhough you may not like it. There is no good or bad music, just different tastes. Try openmindness!

[Enigma™]

Deceit, your comments sometimes make my blood boil, and it's not because I'm Finnish nor do I even like the bands mentioned in this thread. You need to learn to respect someone elses oppinion eventhough you may not like it. There is no good or bad music, just different tastes. Try openmindness!

This has already been discussed. Let it go.

[merijn]

I figured he used A k2600, because you hear alot of preset sounds, expecially effects and pads.

[VintageMan]

I figured he used A k2600, because you hear alot of preset sounds, expecially effects and pads.

an by the way, its not even the keyboardist that plays these parts. i've seen on some pictures and videos the vocalist playing the pads and such... surely the keyboardist could handle it. couldn't he?

[Alucard]

Tony Kakko (the vocalist) is a keyboardist also...

In the first album, Ecliptica, he played all the keys.

When the tour with Rhapsody and Stratovarius started he ask to Mikko to join as live keysman...after he joined the band full time.

In the last album, he recorded the most of the key tracks... Jens played somes solos on 3 songs if i remember exactly.

[Irish]

That sounds accurate enough to me. And when I create topics, I'm not opening a fighting arena. Anyway, I happen to enjoy Sonata's music and I look forward to their next album, which they are currently in the process of recording.

[Alucard]

Yes!

[Irish]

http://www.yellow5.com/shirt/pokey.jpg

:lol:

[Alucard]

:lol: really enjoyed this one...

[Ael]

I know of another keyboardist who uses a K2600XS...Elton John's Band, his keyboardist uses 2 K2600XS and 2 Yamaha Motif ES stacked up on each other...I was surprised to see him using it, but he did.

[VintageMan]

I know of another keyboardist who uses a K2600XS...Elton John's Band, his keyboardist uses 2 K2600XS and 2 Yamaha Motif ES stacked up on each other...I was surprised to see him using it, but he did.

such ostentation...
Didn't he learn to use the layer/split function?

[merijn]

hehe you, you got it wrong again kid. the keyboardistS, that's plural! :wink:

[Taurus]

I just have a sneaky suspecion elthon john doesnt even know how to utterly use a k2600... I bet he just expects to push a button and scroll through some presets, then he pushes another button on the other one (strings) and he's ready to go... The soundmixer takes care of the volume-differences of the patch... :?
Oohh he uses a kurzweil 26k... he must be ultra programmer-leet 3d1t10n omg wtf Synthesis-Kingz0r!!!

[Deceit]

Elton John is a professional musician. This means that with the fucking load of money he has, he just does nothing every single day, and I guess he could easily program sounds. Imagine me, you and all the guys in this forum doing nothing all day...I guess with some efforts anyone could learn. Imagine this repeated for, how long, more than 20 years?
Then, imagine that with what he earns in a day he can afford 2 K2600XSs (I don't know if I'm exaggerating). He may have two or three fully equipped recording studios in his home.
Ok, there's no point in this. It's just:
"I WANNA BE SOMEBODY, BE SOMEBODY SOOOOON \m/"
:D
Deceit.

[Alucard]

W.A.S.P...

I love them... 8) :) :D


not very prog btw... 8) :roll: :lol:

[Deceit]

Who cares, I'd say this time. They know all about being hard 'n' heavy fucking rockstars!
Deceit.

[albertors]

Alberto Shcettino does

Damn! That's why my playing is so wanky :-)

btw I see you "Sherinian-ized" my last name ;-)
Alb.

[BotneKeys]

Well, anyway, I'm always the guy blaming finnish bands because they're all the same out of the same cauldron just because they go the same clubs and know each other

I can't resist anymore :lol: : What do you think about this? www.brideadorned.com

[Alucard]

Deceit, i saw in your site , in your music influences, thatyou wrote Dream Theater (RIP 2003)

Why this?

[Mago_Lari]

Richard Wright, the Pink Floyd Keyboard player uses ( used sigh..:roll: ) k2x00 series.. and also the Waters's band uses..i saw them live and..omg what amaings sounds!!!

Btw i tilt my stand cause its booth cool and usefull..i like a lot Sonata arctica and Children of Bodom..i have seen so many videos of Janne ( 23 YEARS OLD ) playing his solos and i used to try to learn the position of his hands to play the solos..i assure you he play every single note you hear..!!
What to say of Mikko..is one of my main inspiration and i love his kind of playing and the sound he design..

i dont say anything of Jens..:wink:

Mago

[Deceit]

Deceit, i saw in your site , in your music influences, thatyou wrote Dream Theater (RIP 2003)

Why this?

Because these days I listen to Images and Words compared to Train of Thought and I suddenly start crying.
Thanks for visiting my site, even if it's online from time to time (the DAMN host sometimes shuts his server down so...)...hope we will post some clips soon...anyway we're experiencing a LOT of troubles with our actual singer so...
Oh and, I did all the design myself when I was in Canada :D...do you like it? Maybe a little too pop-up here and there, but I like the overall result! If anyone here wants to share links...just tell me and I'll make a banner to your site!
Oh and about all the things I said in this thread...just close an eye on them, I already apologized so please talk about something else :).
Have a good day :P,
Deceit.

[Stimpus]

This topic is abit annoying. I went and saw Sonata at 13th day on sunday and they were awesome.

On the subject of the whole keyboardist matter, tony used to do them, and all the sounds come from the kurz. The new keyboardist just uses the sounds from it and plays the keytar, which was also awesome.

On sounding like Stratovarius i have to disagree. Apart from the fact i don't like my musical tastes being bashed because somebody else can't appreciate stuff, or just say well its talented etc. but not my taste, i like prog loads, but also melodic metal, i like them both as much. But being a huge fan of sonata arctica and having all the albums of stratovarius, though i have gone off them abit, but i can say that they really don't sound the same with some confidence. The only reason they sound similar in my opinion is because Jens did some solos on their albums. I don't think they sound like any other band at all really, quite unique.

The keytar that he uses (the roland ax-7) has transposition buttons on it btw. so one press changes the range of the keys. Quite a nice idea i feel...

[Alkemist]

Just as an example, have a look at this: Burrn Magazine - best keyboard players (http://vitalijkuprij.com/pictures/vitalij84.jpg)

4 finns on the top ten list. Add to that Finns make up one 1200th of the worlds population. :D


And as far as the keyboard-tilting goes, I've even heard some do it to play faster - more blood flow to the fingertips, better finger dexterity :D

[Omega Monkey]

That list is pretty lame for the most part. I doubt any of those guys (except maybe JR, Derek, and Jens) could hang with someone like Corea, Moraz, Wakeman, etc... They're mostly a bunch of metal and rock guys which leads me to believe its from a metal/rock magazine, which typically are not known to really be clued in to the really great musicians. Im sure theyre top 20 drummers list has guys like Lars and Vinnie Paul and their guitar list probably has Hammett and guys like that. Guys that are good, but not really at the top of the heap.

Having said that, I dont really listen to power metal because pretty much everything I've heard has been cheesy and boring (ie theres not a lot of variety, thats what MAKES it power metal! Kind of like if you make too many changes to rap it ceases to be rap any more). GOOD metal does not really on bombast and cliches to get it's point across. Im sure some of the guys playing this stuff are physically good, but I dont hear much musicality in it, which if you dont have the musicality, no amount of double bass and sweep arpeggios can save you.

[Alkemist]

Maybe you have listened to the wrong kind of powermetal?

I find that for example Trionfale (http://www.trionfale.tk) plays very musically, pretty much power and progressive metal.

They are friends of mine, a very talented young band indeed.

And as to the list being lame, I don't completely agree with it myself. But I've got to say I really like Vitalij Kuprijs playing.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

That list is comprised of a bunch of power metal shreders for the most part, as OM said. I'm pretty familiar with maybe 75% of them, and though I like them, their styles are mostly similar (ultra-fast neoclassical tinged solos, mostly with similar tones, and pads, choir voices, harpsichord, piano, and maybe an occasional other sound or two for their sonic arsenal.) I would place Vitalij, Jordan, Jens, Jon, Derek, and Don several cuts above the rest.

That said, I do enjoy a fair bit of power metal. I think when I was on a major Sonata Arctica kick around March of this year, I had them pegged as my #2 favorite band.

What especially irks me is that Janne, Mikko, Andre, and David are above Jens. Without Jens, the 1st 3 wouldn't have existed, nor have I heard anything from them that "tops the master." David Bryan is a pretty good player, but you wouldn't know it from most of Bon Jovi's stuff, he's completely underutilized. Nevertheless, he doesn't belong that high. Derek and Jon could run circles around him all day long.

[carpetcrawler]

Uses a Kurzweil K2600XS?

I didn't know this, but I thought that was awesome, and a great endorsement for a great keyboard! He's the only person besides Jordan that I know uses one! (Famous, at least :lol: )

Anyway, maybe this is common knowledge, but I figured I'd share that tidbit because it was a neat discovery.

Back to work defending the country!

what about rachel z?!
she used the k2600 as well.. ;)

[Liquid Shadow]

Im sure some of the guys playing this stuff are physically good, but I dont hear much musicality in it, which if you dont have the musicality, no amount of double bass and sweep arpeggios can save you.


Even though I like some power metal, this line cracked me up.


Btw, I have a suspicion that the list might just be Vitalij Kuprij's favorites or something...It has his name as the title and his picture there, but he's not even in the list. I don't think it's supposed to be an objective best list (like those joke guitarist lists), just his favorites. That being said, I do disagree with quite a bit of it. Richard Andersson wouldn't even make #20 because he lacks any originality whatsoever, and the Jens clones would definitely need to be below the guy that they're all following the footsteps of.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Btw, I have a suspicion that the list might just be Vitalij Kuprij's favorites or something...It has his name as the title and his picture there, but he's not even in the list.

The list is from Burrn Magazine. Notice that Jordan, the highest name in the left column, is #2. The fact that Vitalij's photo is there, "champion" is listed beside his name, with a handwritten thank you note to the readers of the magazine for voting him, blah blah blah, indicates to me that he was voted #1. The parentheses I'm guessing tell where the particular player was ranked the last time they held the poll.

The list doesn't seem to be Vitalij's favorites, but the ranked favorites of readers of Burrn Magazine (obviously for shredders). I would imagine the guitarist list would include Malmsteen, Romeo, Tolkki, Liimatainen, Laiho, etc.

Objective? Certainly not. Amusing, entertaining, time-wasting, yes. :)

[Liquid Shadow]

Oh, ok. I missed that he was actually #1.