Interview with Janne Wirmen of

WARMEN

Courtesy of Century Media Records.

Conducted on February 4, 2002. When Janne called he sounded exhausted. He had already done a ton of interviews. As for me, I was on a tight schedule. So between the two of us, we agree that a short interview would do for us both.

Criticaltom: SOLO PROJECTS ARE A POPULAR IDEA THESE DAYS, BUT WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO DO THIS ONE?

Janne: I would like to write the all music for Children of Bodom, but I have to share. This band allows me to write more music. [Let me impress upon the reader that Janne Wirmen comes across as someone who is in love with composing music and nothing else! – Criticaltom]

Criticaltom: IS IT EASY FOR SOMEONE IN AN ESTABLISHED BAND TO GET A DEAL FOR A SOLO PROJECT?

Janne: Really easy for me because COB is on the same label, Spinefarm.

Criticaltom: THIS IS ACTUALLY YOUR SECOND ALBUM, ISN’T IT?

Janne: Yes, it is my second. The first was called, Unknown Soldier.

Criticaltom: HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT WRITING SONGS FOR AN ALBUM LIKE THIS? WHICH COMES FIRST, MUSIC OR LYRICS?

Janne: Music totally. I’m not involved in making the lyrics. The singers write the lyrics. I am just involved in writing music. That’s all I care about.

Criticaltom: whose idea was it to do “Alone,” Kim Goss? Are you a Heart fan?

Janne: Well, I’m a big fan the 80’s.

Criticaltom: ARE THERE ANY THEMES ON THIS RECORD THAT YOU WANT THE LISTENER TO PICK UP ON? THE MOZART CONNECTION?

Janne: Yeah. Of course, there is the Mozart thing.

Criticaltom: DOYOU SEE YOURSELF AS A SORT OF MODERN DAY COMPOSER LIKE MOZART?

Janne: Yeah, kinda. Of course, I play other stuff.

Criticaltom: WHAT ISSUES DO YOU CARE A LOT ABOUT?

Janne: No. I don’t have any kind of messages behind my songs. I only like to write my songs.

Criticaltom: WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING THING ABOUT DOING A PROJECT LIKE THIS?

Janne: Today I realized the most rewarding thing for me has been doing 12 reviews today and all the comments have been very positive. I didn’t have any expectations of the sales figures of Warmen because COB is my main band, but everything I’ve heard is positive.

Criticaltom: IT’S A VERY EXCITING RECORD. I LIKED IT MUCH BETTER THAN THE AVANTASIA ALBUM.

Janne: Thanks.

Criticaltom: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE COLLABORATOR ON “BEYOND ABILITIES”?

Janne: I have to say Sammi. He’s like 38 and my brother is 19. So they are like 18 years apart. We talk about why he isn’t playing for a bigger band, but he drinks too much. I also enjoy playing with my brother. He has only been playing for four years and it is exciting to see him put so much into it. [I mentioned that he must look up to his big brother. Janne seemed to like that comment . . . duh!

Criticaltom: IF YOU COULD PLAY/TOUR WITH ANY MUSICIAN IN ANY PERIOD, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Janne: A difficult one. I would have to say Stratovarius. For me, the reason I am doing this is their album Visions inspired me.

Criticaltom: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER HEARD YOU BEFORE?

Janne: Warmen has a nice combination of many different styles. Like we have this progressive stuff going on, some like Stratovarius, and some fast playing. It’s a mixture of everything nice.

Criticaltom: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR WARMEN?

We’re already planning to play some gigs in Finland. And maybe some festivals in Europe. We are planning to record a third album. I’m thinking we have such a nice line-up . . . COB will be my main band for a long time. So Warmen is kind of my way to impress myself. But it’s so much fun to do.

And so we said goodbye.