Tony Kakko
Encyclopedia
Toni Kristian "Tony" Kakko (born May 16, 1975) is a Finnish musician, composer and vocalist. He is mainly known as the vocalist, primary songwriter, and creative force in the band Sonata Arctica
since 1996.
, Finland
and joined Sonata Arctica
in 1996, after studying keyboards for two years and singing informally in local festivals. He assumed both the keyboards and the vocals, but after the release of the band's first album, decided to concentrate on singing with the joining of Mikko Härkin
. The bands Queen
, Stratovarius
, Children of Bodom
and Nightwish
are amongst his biggest musical influences. Kakko also states the season of winter
as one of his influences. His singing style is clean and generally high-pitched, he sings in the tenor
s range, but has begun to scream on later releases with Sonata
, especially The Days of Grays
, but also some screams in the background on Unia
.
Tony appeared as a guest male vocalist in Nightwish's 2001 remake of their song "Astral Romance", which appeared on the EP Over the Hills and Far Away
. He also sang backing vocals on the song "Over the Hills and Far Away" and sang a duet with Tarja Turunen
on the live version of "Beauty and the Beast." Tony appears on stage with Tarja performing "Beauty and the Beast," on Nightwish's live DVD From Wishes to Eternity
.
Tony also performed guest vocals in the song "Wasted Time" from Heavenly
's album Virus and did backing vocals for Before the Bleeding Sun
, the fifth album of the Finnish band Eternal Tears of Sorrow
. More recently, he has been involved with a project Northern Kings
, in which he, along with Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto
(Charon
), Marco Hietala
(Tarot
, Nightwish
) and Jarkko Ahola (Teräsbetoni
) sings covers of classics from decades past.
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
since 1996.
Biography
Kakko was born in KemiKemi
Kemi is a town and municipality of Finland. It is located very near the city of Tornio. It was founded in 1869 by royal decree, because of its proximity to a deep water harbour....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and joined Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
in 1996, after studying keyboards for two years and singing informally in local festivals. He assumed both the keyboards and the vocals, but after the release of the band's first album, decided to concentrate on singing with the joining of Mikko Härkin
Mikko Härkin
Mikko Härkin is a Finnish power metal keyboardist, who has performed with Sonata Arctica and Kenziner.-History:...
. The bands Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
, Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
and Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
are amongst his biggest musical influences. Kakko also states the season of winter
Winter
Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climates, between autumn and spring. At the winter solstice, the days are shortest and the nights are longest, with days lengthening as the season progresses after the solstice.-Meteorology:...
as one of his influences. His singing style is clean and generally high-pitched, he sings in the tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
s range, but has begun to scream on later releases with Sonata
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
, especially The Days of Grays
The Days of Grays
The Days of Grays is the sixth full-length studio album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica. The album was released on September 16 in Finland, September 18 in Europe and September 22 in North America through Nuclear Blast...
, but also some screams in the background on Unia
Unia
Unia , released on May 25, 2007, is the fifth full-length studio album by the power metal band Sonata Arctica, following the album Reckoning Night. The first single from the album was "Paid in Full", released on April 27, 2007. The album has more progressive metal styles than their previous work...
.
Tony appeared as a guest male vocalist in Nightwish's 2001 remake of their song "Astral Romance", which appeared on the EP Over the Hills and Far Away
Over the Hills and Far Away (album)
Over the Hills and Far Away is the first EP by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released in 2001 by both Spinefarm Records and Drakkar Records...
. He also sang backing vocals on the song "Over the Hills and Far Away" and sang a duet with Tarja Turunen
Tarja Turunen
Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen Cabuli is a Finnish singer-songwriter and composer. She is a full lyric soprano and has a vocal range of three octaves....
on the live version of "Beauty and the Beast." Tony appears on stage with Tarja performing "Beauty and the Beast," on Nightwish's live DVD From Wishes to Eternity
From Wishes to Eternity
From Wishes to Eternity - Live is a live DVD/VHS/CD by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was recorded in Tampere, Finland on 29 December 2000. The CD was released as a limited edition of 10.000 copies, available only in Finland. In the late 2005, Spinefarm managed to release it in Europe...
.
Tony also performed guest vocals in the song "Wasted Time" from Heavenly
Heavenly (French band)
Heavenly, a power metal/neo-classical metal band from Paris, France, was formed in 1994 by vocalist Benjamin Sotto and drummer Max Pilo. They were originally a cover band and played under the name of 'Satan's Lawyer' before evolving into a full-fledged Helloween-influenced power metal outfit, and...
's album Virus and did backing vocals for Before the Bleeding Sun
Before the Bleeding Sun
Before the Bleeding Sun is the fifth studio album released by the Finnish symphonic death metal band Eternal Tears of Sorrow. The album counts guest performances from Marco Hietala , Jarmo Kylmänen , Sfinx and Tony Kakko .According to the band, The album is damn heavy but still more diverse and...
, the fifth album of the Finnish band Eternal Tears of Sorrow
Eternal Tears of Sorrow
Eternal Tears of Sorrow is a Finnish symphonic death metal band formed in Pudasjärvi in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland...
. More recently, he has been involved with a project Northern Kings
Northern Kings
Northern Kings is a Finnish symphonic metal cover supergroup, made up of four musicians who have already become well known in their existing bands: Jarkko Ahola from Teräsbetoni, ex-Dreamtale, Marco Hietala from Nightwish and Tarot, Tony Kakko from Sonata Arctica and Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto from...
, in which he, along with Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto
Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto
Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto is a Finnish musician. He was in the band Charon until the summer of 2011 as a vocalist and songwriter and currently he is in the band Harmaja as a vocalist, guitar player and songwriter and also in the band Northern Kings as a vocalist...
(Charon
Charon (band)
Charon was a Finnish gothic metal band from Raahe, Finland.-Biography:Charon was founded in 1992 by Mario Tepšić, Teemu Hautamäki, Pasi Sipilä, and Jasse Hast and was originally a brutal death metal act. After releasing three promo albums and two demos, all self-released, the band signed a record...
), Marco Hietala
Marco Hietala
Marko Tapani "Marco" Hietala is a heavy metal vocalist and bassist. Internationally, he is most known as the current bassist, male vocalist and composer, of the symphonic metal band Nightwish...
(Tarot
Tarot (band)
Tarot is a heavy metal band from Finland. They are most famous for the song “Wings of Darkness” from the 1986 album Spell of Iron. While having enjoyed a broad underground popularity in Finland, the band has never been very famous elsewhere until gaining new success in the recent years when their...
, Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
) and Jarkko Ahola (Teräsbetoni
Teräsbetoni
Teräsbetoni is a Finnish heavy metal band. Their first album, Metallitotuus was released in 2005 and has so far sold more than 32,000 copies. Teräsbetoni has been strongly influenced by bands such as Manowar...
) sings covers of classics from decades past.
Sonata Arctica
- Friend 'till the End (Demo) - 1996
- Agre Pamppers (Demo) - 1996
- PeaceMaker (Demo) - 1997
- FullMoon (Demo) - 1999
- EclipticaEclipticaEcliptica is the first full-length album by the power metal band Sonata Arctica. It was released in 1999 through Spinefarm Records in Europe and through Century Media in the United States...
- 1999- UnOpened (Single) - 1999
- SuccessorSuccessor (album)Successor is an EP by Sonata Arctica, released through Spinefarm Records on August 7, 2000.-Track listing:# "FullMoon" − 4:00# "Still Loving You" − 4:33# "I Want Out" − 3:52# "San Sebastian" − 4:46...
(EP) - 2000
- SilenceSilence (Sonata Arctica album)Silence is the second full-length album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica, released in 2001 through Spinefarm Records. It is the only studio album to feature keyboardist Mikko Härkin, who left the band for personal reasons before Winterheart's Guild was recorded, as well as the first to...
- 2001- OrientationOrientation (EP)Orientation is Sonata Arctica's second EP released on August 22, 2001 through the label Spinefarm Records.-Track listing:# "Black Sheep"# "Mary-Lou "...
(EP) - 2001 - Wolf & Raven (Single) - 2001
- Last Drop Falls (Single) - 2001
- Orientation
- Songs of SilenceSongs of SilenceSongs of Silence is a live album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica. Both Japanese and Korean versions have an exclusive cover art and one bonus track, and their first edition had a bonus CD containing 3 tracks.-Disc one:# "Intro"# "Weballergy"...
(Live album) - 2002 - Winterheart's GuildWinterheart's GuildWinterheart's Guild is Sonata Arctica's third album, released in 2003 through Spinefarm Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Tony Kakko# "Abandoned, Pleased, Brainwashed, Exploited" – 5:37# "Gravenimage" – 6:58# "The Cage" – 4:37...
- 2003- TakatalviTakatalviTakatalvi is Sonata Arctica's third EP released on November 21, 2003 through the label Spinefarm Records. It was rereleased on 27 January 2010, with an extended playlist and updated artwork.-Original Track listing:# "San Sebastian"...
(EP) - 2003 - Victoria's Secret (Single) - 2003
- Broken (Single) - 2003
- Don't Say a Word (EP) - 2004
- Takatalvi
- Reckoning NightReckoning NightReckoning Night is the fourth full-length studio album by the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica, as well as the first to feature keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg.-Track listing:...
- 2004- Don't Say a Word (Single) - 2004
- Shamandalie (Single) - 2004
- The End of This ChapterThe End of This ChapterThe End of This Chapter is the name of Sonata Arctica's first compilation album, named after the track . It was released in August 2005 in Japan, but European release dates indicate May 3 2006.-Track listing:...
(Compilation) - 2005 - For the Sake of RevengeFor the Sake of RevengeFor the Sake of Revenge is a live album and DVD recorded by the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica. It was recorded at Shibuya AX, Tokyo, Japan on February 5, 2005...
(Live album and DVD) - 2006 - The Collection 1999-2006 (Compilation) - 2006
- Replica 2006 (Single) - 2006
- UniaUniaUnia , released on May 25, 2007, is the fifth full-length studio album by the power metal band Sonata Arctica, following the album Reckoning Night. The first single from the album was "Paid in Full", released on April 27, 2007. The album has more progressive metal styles than their previous work...
- 2007- Paid in Full (Single) - 2007
- The Days of GraysThe Days of GraysThe Days of Grays is the sixth full-length studio album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica. The album was released on September 16 in Finland, September 18 in Europe and September 22 in North America through Nuclear Blast...
- 2009- The Last Amazing GraysThe Last Amazing Grays"The Last Amazing Grays" is the first single from Sonata Arctica's album The Days of Grays, released in Finland exclusively on August 26, 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records. It features the video edit of the song "Flag in the Ground" which is the first video from the album...
(Single) - 2009
- The Last Amazing Grays
- Live In Finland (Live album and DVD) - 2011
Northern Kings
- RebornReborn (Northern Kings album)-Northern Kings:*Marco Hietala - vocals*Tony Kakko - vocals*Jarkko Ahola - vocals*Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto - vocals-Musicians:*Two Finger Choir: Backing Vocals*Vili Ollila: Piano, Keyboards, Programming*Erkka Korhonen: Lead & Rhythm Guitars...
- 2007 - RethronedRethronedRethroned is the second album by Finnish symphonic metal band Northern Kings. It was released on November 19, 2008, as a CD in Finland and to download via the European iTunes Store. Upon release, the album entered the Finnish charts at number 16. The album was released in Japan on February 25,...
- 2008
Guest appearances
- NightwishNightwishNightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
- Over the Hills and Far AwayOver the Hills and Far Away (album)Over the Hills and Far Away is the first EP by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released in 2001 by both Spinefarm Records and Drakkar Records...
- 2001 - NightwishNightwishNightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
- From Wishes to EternityFrom Wishes to EternityFrom Wishes to Eternity - Live is a live DVD/VHS/CD by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was recorded in Tampere, Finland on 29 December 2000. The CD was released as a limited edition of 10.000 copies, available only in Finland. In the late 2005, Spinefarm managed to release it in Europe...
(DVD) - 2001 - HeavenlyHeavenly (French band)Heavenly, a power metal/neo-classical metal band from Paris, France, was formed in 1994 by vocalist Benjamin Sotto and drummer Max Pilo. They were originally a cover band and played under the name of 'Satan's Lawyer' before evolving into a full-fledged Helloween-influenced power metal outfit, and...
- VirusVirus (Heavenly album)Virus is the fourth full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. The advanced Japanese release occurred on September 21, 2006, by Avalon Records.-Track listing:All songs by Benjamin Sotto, except "The Joker" by Charley Corbiaux...
- 2006 - Eternal Tears of SorrowEternal Tears of SorrowEternal Tears of Sorrow is a Finnish symphonic death metal band formed in Pudasjärvi in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland...
- Before the Bleeding SunBefore the Bleeding SunBefore the Bleeding Sun is the fifth studio album released by the Finnish symphonic death metal band Eternal Tears of Sorrow. The album counts guest performances from Marco Hietala , Jarmo Kylmänen , Sfinx and Tony Kakko .According to the band, The album is damn heavy but still more diverse and...
- 2006 - Timo RautiainenTimo RautiainenTimo Aulis Rautiainen is a Finnish heavy metal singer, guitarist and songwriter. He is best known as the singer and songwriter of Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus. He has also sung in the bands Lyijykomppania and Aku Ankkuli.His occupation is a teacher, which is quite uncommon for heavy metal...
- Sarvivuori - 2006 - Raskaampaa Joulua - 2006
- Nuclear Blast All-Stars: Into the LightNuclear Blast All-Stars: Into the LightInto the Light is a compilation album from Nuclear Blast Records to commemorate their 20 years as a record label. Produced by Rage guitarist Victor Smolski, with singers Tobias Sammet , Peter "Peavy" Wagner , Tony Kakko , Mats Levén , Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer , Hansi Kürsch , Andi Deris , Oddleif...
- 2007 - Odin's Court - Deathanity - 2008
- ApocalypticaApocalypticaApocalyptica is a band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén...
- Live Vocalist (Finland and Japan) - 2008,2009 - Elias ViljanenElias ViljanenElias 'E.Vil' Viljanen is a Finnish musician, known for being the guitarist for Sonata Arctica since 2007. Viljanen joined Sonata Arctica in spring 2007 in order to replace Jani Liimatainen, who left the band in August 2007 to fulfill his civil duties in Finland...
- Fire-HeartedFire-HeartedFire-Hearted is the third studio album by metal musician Elias Viljanen as solo artist. The album features Marco Hietala and Tony Kakko on vocals. Also contributing is Jari Kainulainen on bass, Henrik Klingenberg on keyboards and Mikko Sirén on drums...
- 2009 - StratovariusStratovariusStratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
- PolarisPolaris (Stratovarius album)-Japanese track listing:On 7" Vinyl Collector's Edition:- Reception :-2010 Re-Release:On May 21, 2010, Polaris was re-released along with a live album called "Polaris Live" with the following track listing:# Destiny# Hunting High and Low# Speed of Light...
- 2009 - EpicaEpica (band)Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen, respectively. All six members write...
- Design Your UniverseDesign Your UniverseDesign Your Universe is the fourth full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released on October 16, 2009.-Pre-release and production:The band entered Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany on March 2, 2009....
- 2009 - Van CantoVan CantoVan Canto is an a cappella metal band from Germany, founded in 2006 and composed of five singers and a drummer. Although the group is often classified as an a cappella ensemble, they use real drums in their music, instead of vocal percussion or beatboxing....
- Tribe of ForceTribe of Force- Personnel :*Dennis Schunke – lead vocals*Inga Scharf – lead vocals *Stefan Schmidt – lower rakkatakka vocals, wahwah solo guitar vocals *Ross Thompson – higher rakkatakka vocals...
- 2010 - PowerglovePowerglove (band)Powerglove is an American power metal band. They are known to play metal versions of classic video game themes. The band is named after the Power Glove, a NES controller accessory.-Early years, Total Pwnage and Metal Kombat :...
- Saturday Morning ApocalypseSaturday Morning ApocalypseSaturday Morning Apocalypse is the second studio album by metal/power metal band Powerglove, released September 28, 2010 through E1 Music. This album strays from Powerglove's usual brand of video game metal, and instead centers around TV, cartoon, and movie themes the band grew up with. This is the...
- 2010