Sonata Arctica - Part Ways With Guitarist, Announce Replacement
Finnish Power Metallers Sonata Arctica have issued the following update:
"As many already know, our guitarist Jani Liimatainen has been absent from the line-up this spring and summer. The reason was his messing around with his compulsory military/civil/prison duty, or rather, complete failure to take care of it.
This matter, and everything that goes with it, caused a split between Jani and the other band members. This split was impossible to mend without Jani's help and co-operation.
Therefore we would like to make known the following: During fall of '06 and spring of '07, Jani's personal matters and actions drove us to a situation where we had no option but to ask Jani to leave the band.
Jani was notified of this in May, and the separation was amicable. We wanted to give Jani the chance to get his life together before making this public, which is why we didn't make this announcement earlier. We wish Jani well on his chosen path.
"Show must go on", so, facing the facts, we hereby humbly announce that Elias Viljanen is from this day forward a full and official member of Sonata Arctica.Throughout this summer, on many occasions, Elias has shown himself to be able to fill the big boots Jani left behind.
We hope our friends and our fans understand that this was the only choice left for us to make so that our band could continue. Sonata Arctica has always been, and always will be, more than the sum of its parts. The band has become for us a way of life, a lifeline that simply can not be cut off.
A long "Unia" -tour lies in front of us. We extend Elias a warm welcome to the Sonata family, and we hope the fans will, too. Sonata Arctica is whole again."
"As many already know, our guitarist Jani Liimatainen has been absent from the line-up this spring and summer. The reason was his messing around with his compulsory military/civil/prison duty, or rather, complete failure to take care of it.
This matter, and everything that goes with it, caused a split between Jani and the other band members. This split was impossible to mend without Jani's help and co-operation.
Therefore we would like to make known the following: During fall of '06 and spring of '07, Jani's personal matters and actions drove us to a situation where we had no option but to ask Jani to leave the band.
Jani was notified of this in May, and the separation was amicable. We wanted to give Jani the chance to get his life together before making this public, which is why we didn't make this announcement earlier. We wish Jani well on his chosen path.
"Show must go on", so, facing the facts, we hereby humbly announce that Elias Viljanen is from this day forward a full and official member of Sonata Arctica.Throughout this summer, on many occasions, Elias has shown himself to be able to fill the big boots Jani left behind.
We hope our friends and our fans understand that this was the only choice left for us to make so that our band could continue. Sonata Arctica has always been, and always will be, more than the sum of its parts. The band has become for us a way of life, a lifeline that simply can not be cut off.
A long "Unia" -tour lies in front of us. We extend Elias a warm welcome to the Sonata family, and we hope the fans will, too. Sonata Arctica is whole again."
| sonataarctica.info | |
| Band profile: | Sonata Arctica |
Comments page 2 / 2
‹‹
Back to News
- 1
- 2
Comments: 49
Visited by: 39 users
| flamesoficarus Posts: 135 |
|
| Stratowarrior Posts: 135  |
can't believe it!! it is true that tony writes all the songs off Sonata but the one i liked the best was jani. great guitar player. and some may say that elias is better but i think they are different guitar players but after tony, jani was the most loved band member in Sonata Arctica... hopefully it will be a better future for both jani and SA. sad but true!!! CHEERS.
---- power metal 'til death!!!!!!!!!
Loading...
|
| PrettyMao Posts: 86  |
This is really tragic... I think the last time I felt this sad about a member leaving a band was when Ginger Spice left the Spice Girls. Now that truly sucked! Although, her solo stuff was pretty good. Plus they are having a reunion tour now, I hope to go!
---- The Mao loves you all!!! **KISS**KISS**
Loading...
|
| =maD.Doc:. Melodeath Master Posts: 386  |
Written by PrettyMao on 07.08.2007 at 20:15 Please stop! Spice Girls!? You're making me sick!
Loading...
|
| PrettyMao Posts: 86 |
Written by =maD.Doc:. on 07.08.2007 at 22:53 I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were an N'sync fan.
---- The Mao loves you all!!! **KISS**KISS**
Loading...
|
| Lucas Mr. Noise Elite Posts: 13427  |
Written by PrettyMao on 08.08.2007 at 00:51 Gotta love the reaction of some metalheads when you start talking about pop music.. 
---- SLUDGE. DOOM. DEATH. Wait, what?  "The reason I'm running for president is because I can't be Bruce Springsteen." - Barack Obama
Loading...
|
| =maD.Doc:. Melodeath Master Posts: 386 |
Written by PrettyMao on 08.08.2007 at 00:51 You're the one who has N'Sync in the favourite band list here 
Loading...
|
| Nighthowls Paratrooper Posts: 315  |
This sucks, but I hope Jani goes solo or starts his own band that'll be some insane shit. I'm glad I got to see them live.
Loading...
|
| Nighthowls Paratrooper Posts: 315 |
Written by [user id=3160] on 08.08.2007 at 03:48 Yeah he will be missed and Unia fucking sucks, but you should listen to some of Elia's music it's pretty fucking good "his Metal pieces anyway"
Loading...
|
| bluemobiusx Account deleted |
|
| PrettyMao Posts: 86 |
Written by =maD.Doc:. on 08.08.2007 at 03:21 Yes, it is true. I enjoy their catchy pop beats and first-class choreography. JC was my favourite member, who is yours?
---- The Mao loves you all!!! **KISS**KISS**
Loading...
|
| =maD.Doc:. Melodeath Master Posts: 386 |
Written by PrettyMao on 08.08.2007 at 18:19 As you may already understand I hate shit like that. Music with no feeling at all. Hate that fucking shit. 
Loading...
|
| Carrion Account deleted |
|
| Gilardina Posts: 32  |
 mmm, that really sucks!!! SA wont be the same anymore, Jani was the soul of the band, and i hope the replacement elias, brings some fresh ideas to make some new good albums(not like "unia" i just dont like it). Anyway, Jani's leaving is a shame, lets wait to his solo album... hopefully...
---- and remember, as much as it seems to be real, is all in your mind...
Loading...
|
| ~Nagash~ Account deleted |
|
| FeskarN Posts: 872  |
Loading...
|
| Daru Jericho Posts: 2098  |
Heard about this a while ago. Poor Poor Jani. Watch Sonata struggle without him, although I've never heard the new dude. Sad Mr. Liimatainen had to leave a few months before I get to see Sonata live for the first time.
---- Aborted Misanthropic Smurf Puppy On Acid.
Loading...
|
| Prowler84 Posts: 843  |
so sad to hear..Sonata will never be the same again.The "progressive" touch of the band is now gone
---- Steve Harris isn't a God.God is a S.Harris!!
Loading...
|
| soyrock Posts: 9 |
- 1
- 2
Hits total: 4326 | This month: 5