Kasperi Heikkinen

Kasperi Heikkinen
Heikkinen with U.D.O. at Wacken Open Air 2015
Heikkinen with U.D.O. at Wacken Open Air 2015
Background information
Born (1980-08-04) 4 August 1980 (age 44)
Kajaani, Finland
GenresSymphonic power metal, heavy metal
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
Years active2002–present

Kasperi Heikkinen (born 1980) is a Finnish guitarist who is best known as a member of symphonic power metal band Amberian Dawn.[1] He played in the band from early 2007 until late 2012. He is also the guitarist for Finnish metal bands Merging Flare and Guardians of Mankind,[1] which is a Gamma Ray tribute band.[2] Heikkinen performed with German metal band U.D.O. from 2013 until 2017.[1][3] He currently resides in Helsinki.[1][4]

As a touring musician, Heikkinen has played on part of the German power metal band Gamma Ray's Majestic tour in 2006 following an injury to Henjo Richter.[5] On their most recent to the Metal-tour, Heikkinen replaced Henjo Richter once again for shows scheduled in Germany and Czech Republic in March 2010. He also shared stage with his fellow axemen Hansen and Richter making "a three guitar special" for the encore numbers at the Nosturi club in Helsinki, Finland on 29 March 2010.

In 2015, Heikkinen was brought into a new symphonic metal band called Beast in Black by fellow Finnish guitarist Anton Kabanen. Beast in Black released their debut album in November 2017 by the metal label Nuclear Blast.

Discography

Heikkinen and Heidi Parviainen with Amberian Dawn in 2009

With Merging Flare

  • Reverence, Disentertainment (2011)
  • Beyond The Blackhole/Under The Fire, Split-EP (Guardians of Mankind / Merging Flare), Imperiumi Records (2007)
  • Hell to Pay, Promo-EP (2005)
  • S/T, Promo-EP (2003)

With Amberian Dawn

With Elenium

  • Them Used Gods, Self Financed EP (2002)
  • For Giving For Getting, Rage of Achilles (2003)
  • Caught in Wheel, Kampas Records (2007)

With U.D.O.

  • Steelhammer, AFM Records (2013)
  • Decadent, AFM Records (2015)

With Beast in Black

  • Berserker, Nuclear Blast (2017)[6]
  • From Hell with Love, Nuclear Blast (2019)[7]
  • Dark Connection, Nuclear Blast (2021)[8]

Other

  • Conquest: The Harvest, self-financed (2011)
  • Heavy Metal Perse: "Eripura", Dethrone Music (2006), guest guitar solo on track #4 "Pahaksi Parkittu Lalli"
  • Heavy Metal Perse / Guardians of Mankind: Legenda Taikamiekasta/Kuninkaidenlaakso, Split-EP, Imperiumi Records (2004)
  • Omnium Gatherum: "Spirits And August Light", Rage of Achilles (2002), guest guitar solo on track #3 "The Perfumed Garden"
  • Dark Sarah: "Attack of Orym", Riena Productions (2023), guest guitar solo on track #3 "Invincible" and track #7 "Delirium"

Equipment

Heikkinen is on the artist roster of Ibanez[9] guitars and uses the following models:

  • Ibanez Jem77FP
  • Ibanez Jem77BRMR
  • Ibanez Jem77VBK
  • Ibanez Jem777LNG
  • Ibanez UV777PBK
  • Ibanez UV7PWH
  • Ibanez UV777GR
  • Ibanez UV77MC
  • Ibanez PGM100RE
  • Ibanez RGT320QRBB
  • Ibanez Rocket Roll (Flying V)

Heikkinen uses Mesa/Boogie amplification exclusively.

  • Mesa/Boogie TriAxis Preamp
  • Mesa/Boogie 2:50 Amp
  • Mesa/Boogie Rectifier 4x12 cabinet

Effects and accessories

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Kasperi Heikkinen Interview". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. 16 December 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  2. ^ "News on Blabbermouth". Archived from the original on 6 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Guitarist KASPERI HEIKKINEN Quits U.D.O. And DIRKSCHNEIDER". Blabbermouth.net. 17 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Kasperi Heikkinen on Metal from Finland". 29 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Gamma Ray in Helsinki 2006". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011.
  6. ^ "BEAST IN BLACK – Nuclear Blast USA".
  7. ^ "BEAST IN BLACK – from hell with love".
  8. ^ "BEAST IN BLACK – Dark Connection".
  9. ^ "Ibanez Artist Roster". Archived from the original on 3 March 2012.
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