Emppu Vuorinen is a Finnish composer and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the lead guitarist and one of the founding members of the power metal band Nightwish. He was born on June 24, 1978 in Kitee, Finland.
Vuorinen began playing guitar at the age of 11 and was heavily influenced by bands like Iron Maiden and Deep Purple. He joined Nightwish in 1997 and recorded three studio albums with them before leaving in 2001. After his departure from Nightwish, Emppu formed the band Altaria with vocalist Marko Pukkila and bassist Jukka Koskinen. They released their debut album Unholy in 2003 and have released three more albums since then.
In addition to his work with Altaria, Vuorinen has also worked as a session musician for bands such as Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, and Children of Bodom. He also works as a solo artist and has released three solo albums since 2007. His solo work is often characterized by its acoustic and classical influences.
Vuorinen is also known for his philanthropic work, having established the Emppu Vuorinen Foundation in 2011. The foundation works to promote musical education and has provided instruments and equipment to music schools in Finland. In addition, he has also been involved in a number of charitable projects, including donating proceeds from one of his solo albums to a children's charity.
Emppu Vuorinen is an accomplished musician who has made an indelible mark on the Finnish music scene. His work with Nightwish and Altaria has made him a household name in the power metal community, while his solo work has showcased his versatility as a musician. His philanthropic work has also earned him widespread admiration and respect.
