Esa Holopainen (born 1 October 1972) is a Finnish musician, currently the main songwriter, occasional lyricist, founding member and lead guitarist of the Finnish heavy metal band Amorphis.[1] He is one out the two longest standing members of the band (the other being Tomi Koivusaari) and one of the four original members in the band (the others being Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari and Olli-Pekka Laine).

Esa Holopainen
Esa Holopainen live at Jurassic Rock 2008
Esa Holopainen live at Jurassic Rock 2008
Background information
Born (1972-10-01) 1 October 1972 (age 51)
GenresThrash metal, death metal, death/doom, melodic death metal, progressive metal, folk metal
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1987–present
LabelsNuclear Blast (with Amorphis)

He was also formerly the guitarist of the bands Violent Solution (1990) and Chaosbreed (2003–2004).[2]

Holopainen did the guitar solo on "Dambuster" from Hellroad Caravan by Mannhai.

His influences include Ritchie Blackmore, David Gilmour, John McLaughlin and Petri Walli of Kingston Wall.[3] Holopainen uses ESP guitars and Koch amplifiers.[3]

Discography edit

With Violent Solution edit

  • Period of Depression (demo, 1990)
  • Paralysis / Individual Nightmare (EP, 1990)[4]

Solo edit

  • Silver Lake by Esa Holopainen (album, 2021)

With Amorphis edit

With Chaosbreed edit

  • Unleashed Carnage (EP, 2003)
  • Brutal (album, 2004)[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Hill, Gary. "Biography-Amorphis". Allmusic. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  2. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Biography-Chaosbreed". Allmusic. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Esa Holopanien". Amorphis. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  4. ^ "Esa Holopainen". Past Bands. Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Esa Holopainen". Active Bands. Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved 20 July 2012.