KenZiner is the brainchild of Finnish guitar-virtuoso Jarno Keskinen. After sending a demo-tape to Leviathan Records in 1994, the classically trained guitarist, with a love for heavy metal, caught the attention of one David T. Chastain. David offered to produce the first album, bringing in drummer Dennis Lesh (ex-Trouble, Chastain, Stygian) and singer Stephen Fredrick (Firewind, ex-Billy The Kid).

TIMESCAPE (1998) LIMB/INSIDE OUT/SPV

  1. Future Signs
  2. Into The Light
  3. Images Of The Past
  4. Dreamer
  5. Thru The End
  6. Timescape
  7. Walking In The Rain
  8. Seasons
  9. In The Silence
  10. Land Of Shadows

Line-up:

Jarno Keskinen - Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Bass and Keyboards

Stephen Fredrick - Vocals

Dennis Lesh - Drums

KenZiner's debut album is nothing short of an impressive listen from beginning to end. Jarno is a gifted musician who doesn't only do all the guitar-parts, he also plays bass and keyboards, in addition to co-writing all of the material. Axel Rudi Pell and Yngwie J.Malmsteen have really met some competition in this Finnish prodigy. Every song are melodic metal masterpieces, spiced up with some of the most breathtaking guitar-playing you'll ever hear. And to top this all off, KenZiner can give us Stephen Fredrick's stellar voice to boot. Simply put, this is neo-classical heavy metal at it's very best.

Killer tracks: Future Signs, Into The Light, Dreamer, Thru The End, In The Silence

THE PROPHECIES (1999) LIMB

  1. Live Forever

  2. The Razor's Edge

  3. Through The Fire

  4. Trail Of Tears

  5. Race With Time

  6. Eternity

  7. Dimensions - instrumental

  8. Like A Paradise

  9. Lost In A Fantasy

  10. The Prophecies

Line-up:

Jarno Keskinen - Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Bass and Keyboards

Stephen Fredrick - Vocals

Mikko Härkin - Keyboards and Keyboard solos

Brian Harris - Drums

KenZiner's second release is awesome. The record company label them as progressive power metal, but I tend to call it neo-classical metal. The music is guitar-virtuoso stuff through and through. Needless to say, Stephen Fredrick delivers vocally as usual too. But also the keyboard-playing on this album is stunning. I usually don't care much for keyboards, but Mikko Härkin just blows me away! No wonder why Sonata Arctica snagged this dude! David T. Chastain's production is crystal clear, and rounds the overall package off nicely.

Killer tracks: Live Forever, Race With Time, Eternity, Lost In A Fantasy

After these 2 albums, Jarno and Chastain had a dispute, and the band was put to rest. Jarno changed his name to Jaron Sebastian Raven, and started a new band called Virtuocity.

Mikko Härkin guest appearances:

Kotipelto - 'Waiting For The Dawn'

Divinefire - 'Hero'

 

Related artists:

Virtuocity, Firewind, Sonata Arctica, Random Eyes, Chastain