News from Kai's Facebook.
There you can find an explanation what has been going on past few weeks.My dear friend Jukka cannot perform on the new upcoming Nightwish album.I am now practicing with band and we try to make the best out of this situation.There's no drama behind this. Thanks!
-Kai
8.8.2014.
3 day Nightwish rehearsals over.We got 10 songs pre recorded as demos. Tomorrow a gig with Max on the Rock in Hietsku Rock. Then 2 days off and rehearsals in Helsinki with Wintersun for Summer breeze which is next Saturday. From there i go back to record the new Nightwish album nr 8.
Cheers and thanks once more for the positive messages which means a lot to me.
18.8.2014.
New drumheads,all cleaned up and ready to setup. Thanks Mappe for lending these beauties! Nightwish album nr 8 recordings starting this wednesday. Wish me luck! :) cheers!
21.8.2014.
Today it starts. Nightwish album nr 8 recordings.All setup and ready to play now.
23.8.2014.
My kitview from the front. Yes , i know it doesn't look that " heavy metal " from the front with only one bassdrum, but this is just for the recording as it is much easier to use acoustic sound on the album just using 1 kickdrum and this was the wish of the man who records the album. Playing live it's always 2 kicks of course. We have 7 songs ready now as we started to record on Thursday evening. Yesterday i got 5 songs. Very smooth and relaxed atmosphere. Jukka came also yesterday to meet us and listen to the tracks. Nightwish album nr 8 is getting together today as i have 4 more songs to play today. The songs are great!!! :) cheers!!
The drumparts for the new Nightwish album are now done and we move on to Bass,Guitar and Keyboards. This has been incredible and at the same time very odd experience to sit on drumthrone with this amazing band and people! Jukka has been here with us for the last 2 days. I am very honoured to be part of this great new album. Thanks guys and thanks Jukka!!!
Cheers!!
26.8.2014.
More cymbals and drumheads please!! Thank you Levytukku!Meinl cymbals /Norbert Saemann and Evans drumheads for the amazing support!!
Levytukku Oy
Kai Hahto and teleportation.
Ben went to the Plate a lot at the store on the way to the Meinl Cymbals, and Evans Drumheads & HQ Percussion, midsized. Kai is stint drummer of Nightwish will start on Tuesday. Yesterday he was here. Now he is in Germany with Wintersun. Kai is on the schedule, I do not believe that he will perform all without teleportation. Another option to consider is the theory of cloning. Hahto has more than one? And what is the mysterious phenomenon of contention with him?
Here are the detailed explanation what cymbals i used on the upcoming Nightwish album. Thanks Norbert Saemann and Meinl cymbals!
Meinl Cymbals
Finnish Meinl Artist Kai Hahto has just finished recording the drumtracks for the upcoming Nightwish studio album. He'll be also the drummer on the band's upcoming worldtour next year.
The cymbals which Kai has used for the recordings are (from left to right):
18" Byzance china
17" Byzance medium thin crash
18" Byzance medium thin crash
14" Byzance heavy hihat brilliant
8" Byzance splash
10"/12" Generation X electro stack
10" Byzance splash brilliant
21" Byzance Serpents ride
18" Byzance medium thin crash
17" Byzance medium thin crash
14" Byzance medium hihat
18" Byzance china
2.10.2014.
I am here in London for the next 6 days with Nightwish.
Album getting together.Excited! Cheers!!
6.10.2014.
Today i experienced some of the most emotional moment ever as childrens choir sang on top of the upcoming Nightwish album. What a wonderful moment!
7.10.2014.
Ethnic percussion day at the studio with Nightwish was amazing!! From the left Paul Clarvis( man that Hans Zimmer uses a lot in his film scores),some random Finnish drummer, Pip Williams and Stephen Henderson( guy who played percussion on Star Wars empire strikes back, Joni Mitchell, Diana Ross, Kung Fu panda etc. What legends and what professionals i get to witness. Life is unexpected sometimes!
8.10.2014.
Thank you London and Thank you Nightwish! Amazing 6 days behind and now on my way back home. Cheers!
Floor Jansen's thoughts about the orchestral sessions. I agree, goosebumps all the way!
14.10.2014.
On my way to a studio with Nightwish. Last few percussion parts to play. Album about to be recorded. Cheers!!
15.10.2014.
Going back home from the studio with Nightwish. This album will be a monster. Wow!!!!
15.11.2014.
At Finnvox studios with Mikko and Tero to listen to the new Nightwish mixes. Mikkokin likes. :) Outstanding performance groups take over the sound.
17.11.2014.
This is what i did yesterday. Played drums outside in the cold. Nightwish video number 1 in the works. This will be fabulous. :)
26.11.2014.
4 days working with Nightwish promoshoot and video. Long days but the result will be worth it in the end. What a great 4 days it has been. Thank you!! It was great to see my dear friend Jukka as well yesterday who came to meet us. Tomorrow back to Vaasa and my students.
15.1.2015.
Going to Helsinki today for the weekend. Nightwish album listening sessions for the media on Friday and Saturday. Cheers!
17.1.2015.
Yesterday Finnish media got a chance to hear the new Nightwish album. Today listening session for foreign media. Cheers!
18.1.2015.
Me and Mr Vesa Vierikko who was acting in my scene for the upcoming Nightwish video! This man is a legend!!
6.1.2015.
Since morning i have been scrolling youtube and facebook as somebody posted Nightwish upcoming single which is out 13 feb.without any permission from band itself. This is the downside of Internet we see again. Anybody can post whatever they want without permission. Also heard that this person has been found and i hope the person gets what he/she ordered.
I am going to play some extra backbeats in the evening with Max on the Rox as we are playing in El gringo-Vaasa to get this frustrating feeling out of my system!!!!
6.2.2015.
Since morning i have been scrolling youtube and facebook as somebody posted Nightwish upcoming single which is out 13 feb.without any permission from band itself. This is the downside of Internet we see again. Anybody can post whatever they want without permission. Also heard that this person has been found and i hope the person gets what he/she ordered.
I am going to play some extra backbeats in the evening with Max on the Rox as we are playing in El gringo-Vaasa to get this frustrating feeling out of my system!!!!
7.2.2015.
I am going to give my 2 cents about this sharing before releasing episode what has been going on with the Nightwish single without bands permission. For some people it seems it's ok and we should just shut the fuck up be happy someone even listens to it, shares it, shows some interest. Yes, it took " only" 2 years of hard work that included a lot of people who put 100% behind every aspect we call music. Yes,its 21 th century and albums are being shared, yes. But shouldn't there be the artist first who releases the first copy. After that it's up to people to share it , buy it etc. It's out of our hands after that. But in this case music has been taken from us and been released without our "yes, there you have it". Let's put it this way and take a movie like Transformers where a lot of money was invested to make the best possible product. Then somebody takes that product and share it with a bad quality and sound. Wouldn't that piss off at least a bit the people who invested and made the " experience" in the first place.? Maybe i am fucking stupid and don't just understand the 21st century thinking of some people, or maybe i am so old i have lost track of time and the spirit of today? Eithet way, i was being taught to respect what's others before i am given permission to use my " thinking" should i invest in this or not. Just my 2 cents...
12.2.2015.
Going to Helsinki for the Nightwish video premiere. Finally we see the final version on a big screen and tomorrow it will be out for everybody else to see as well. A big thanks to Ville Lipiäinen and he's crew and all the actors who put 100% for this video. Thank you!
13.2.2015.
Nightwish Wembley arena standing tickets sold out in 10 minutes... Wow!
16.2.2015.
As a breakfast Dream Theater new dvd-Breaking the fourth wall and 1000 Nightwish cards to sign.. Cheers!!!
24.2.2015.
Nightwish upcoming tour drumkit( one of them) just arrived to me. Totally custom made Pearl Masterworks kit with special features. Feeling like a kid in Christmas eve! wink emoticon
Thank you Pearl Finland -Risto Niemi and Pearl Europe-Frank Jacobs!!!
Cheers!
I have been endorsing Meinl Cymbals since 2005 and haven't thought otherwise since as they put 100% of everything they do. Here is a preview of one of the cymbal( Meinl byzanze 20" Heavy ride) i will be using for the upcoming Nightwish tour. I am waiting for the whole setup to arrive. A huge thanks to Norbert Saemann and everybody at Meinl for the support and their great cymbals! Thank youuuuu!
Meinl Cymbals
A few months ago Nightwish drummer Kai Hahto asked me if the band's logo could be engraved into his cymbals which he's going to take out on the road with the band this year? Nothing easier as that. This here is one of the cymbals, a Byzance 20" Heavy Ride, which I am sending out to Finland this week where the band starts rehearsals for their upcoming world tour. (- norbert)
2.3.2015.
I get a lot of "complaints" why don't you come and play to our coutry/city every time a new tour is announced. Part of the reason is that the routing we are making on that specific tour is that we try to avoid unnecessary driving( as it demands gas for the bus which we have pay)and also there are other things involved. Bus drivers has strict rules how long can they drive and sometimes we have to pay for 2 drivers as the other needs to have a break from driving( i guess law has something to do with this as well and then is a thing called album sales as well. If we see that this country has 50 albums sold then we see that there is no interest in that country for us. ( this is not the only reason) we always try to make it to most of the places and make a few extra gigs where we only get paid the expenses but not profit( just for the experience and give fans in that area a show we have never played before) For instance the London show we wanted to give a full show instead of club dates. It doesn't mean we don't care about any other city in U.k. We would love play all around but sometimes it is logistically and financially impolssible. Touring is not cheap and the bigger the production the bigger expenses. Hope you understand...
7.3.2015.
Travelled to Helsinki with all this new fine gear. Nightwish rehearsals for the next few weeks.A lot of new notes to be imprinted in this small brain. cheers!
9.3.2015.
Nightwish rehearsals 3/9. So far it has been me, Tuomas and Emppu. Marco joining us tomorrow and finally on thursday we have everybody here.The new drumkit sounds great!!!!
12.3.2015.
Nightwish Rehearsal day 6/11.. Finally we had everybody in the same room. Still a lot of work to do but there is light in the end of the tunnel and the light is not from a train coming at you. Cheers!
16.3.2015.
After rehearsing 9 days with Nightwish we moved to a bigger place and finally get to see the stage setup with all the new backdrops and other cool features.2 Days to go with rehearsals and then we pack everything and ship the gear to North America. I just have to say that this show will be something that people of North America should come and witness. Starting from New York April 9 th! So spread the word and hope to see you at the shows!! smile emoticon Cheers!
18.3.2015.
Nightwish rehearsals over and finally got to see the stage setup and the upcoming north american setup.. Just have to say.. Wow!!!! smile emoticon looking forward to start the live shows. Some special treats for the fans coming!
19.3.2015.
One more week until it's released..
25.3.2015.
Finally confirmed that Nightwish will play 25 th September 2015 in Rock in Rio!! Great news!
27.3.2015.
Good Morning! Today is the release for the Nightwish new album "Endless forms most Beautiful" finally in Finland. Thank you everybody who has put their hearts to this release.Cheers!!!
Outside the cool-looking sheets hanging from the Forum, the following 2 weeks. Huh. :)
28.3.2015.
From yesterday before the signing session in Forum-Helsinki. Good Times!
Finally all the different versions in my hands. The earbook is just astounding package!:)
31.3.2015.
The first pairs just arrived from Balbex today for the upcoming North American tour that starts next week. A huge thanks to Janne Honkanen-Komppisorvaamo and Balbex!! I am very happy with this model!!
Also a big thanks to Mr Tuomas Tahvanainen for the Kai hahto logo and to mr Toxicangel for the rest!!
I salute you!
1.4.2015.
Our first show in New york is just one week away and selling really well so buy your tickets in advance please. See you on the road!
4.4.2015.
Bye bye home,family and friends in Vaasa. I am in a train to Helsinki and tomorrow we fly to New York and start the North American tour with Nightwish. See you in 6 weeks! Cheers!