The Waymaker is a 3-piece Epic Metal band from Finland and Sweden that formed in the summer of 2019 by Christian Liljegren & Jani Stefanovic. The band's sound can best be described as Epic Metal laced with bombastic touches and seasoned with everything from Heavy Metal to Symphonic Metal to Power Metal, and Rock with all melding together perfectly giving the listener a full on Metal feast.
The Waymaker is comprised of lead vocalist-Christian Liljegren(Narnia, Divinefire, Golden Resurrection, Audiovision, Wisdom Call), guitarist-Jani Stefanovic(Divinefire, Mehida, Essence Of Sorrow, ReinXeed), along with the talented lead vocalist-Katja Stefanovic(Random Eyes). Katja is married to Jani Stefanovic and not only has worked with Random Eyes but has done several solo albums in Finnish and English including 'I Never Knew', 'Father', 'The Embrace Of His Love'(instrumental CD), 'Lähelläsi'(Finnish), and 'Alive And Under His Wings'(Instrumental CD). Katja states: "At this moment, I'm working on something a bit different, more Pop & Metal(ish) than the albums that I've already done which are very soft and calmful. This new music will be released later and I'm very excited about it."
Christian: "In 2018, Jani Stefanovic contacted me after nearly 8-9 years since we closed Divinefire. We always had a good writing chemistry--a good balance to create something unique--and we both needed the break to find a new energy and creative force. It took a while but in 2019 the writing process went further and songs started to take shape. Personally, I wanted to use different voices--both female and male blended together--with Metal for the future. In 2020 Katja Stefanovic, Jani´s wife, joined and The Waymaker was born." Yes, this project features not just one but two lead vocalists including the world renown vocal work of Christian Liljegren along with the very talented & beautiful vocals of Katja Stefanovic.
In an interview at Heaven's Metal Christian explains about the band's name: "The band name was not easy to come up with, but we tried different things and then The Waymaker came up. Who is my Waymaker? Who is yours? Jesus Christ is my Waymaker but also we try to be Waymakers for each other, also for our kids and for each other as friends, brothers and sisters in this world. The name sounds good but it is also an important thing when we see so much chaos in this world. Who is your Waymaker? That is the question."
The Waymaker draws influences from such bands as Yngwie Malmsteen(debut album-'Rising Force'), Stratovarius, Masterplan, and even Kamelot.
The Waymaker is comprised of lead vocalist-Christian Liljegren(Narnia, Divinefire, Golden Resurrection, Audiovision, Wisdom Call), guitarist-Jani Stefanovic(Divinefire, Mehida, Essence Of Sorrow, ReinXeed), along with the talented lead vocalist-Katja Stefanovic(Random Eyes). Katja is married to Jani Stefanovic and not only has worked with Random Eyes but has done several solo albums in Finnish and English including 'I Never Knew', 'Father', 'The Embrace Of His Love'(instrumental CD), 'Lähelläsi'(Finnish), and 'Alive And Under His Wings'(Instrumental CD). Katja states: "At this moment, I'm working on something a bit different, more Pop & Metal(ish) than the albums that I've already done which are very soft and calmful. This new music will be released later and I'm very excited about it."
Christian: "In 2018, Jani Stefanovic contacted me after nearly 8-9 years since we closed Divinefire. We always had a good writing chemistry--a good balance to create something unique--and we both needed the break to find a new energy and creative force. It took a while but in 2019 the writing process went further and songs started to take shape. Personally, I wanted to use different voices--both female and male blended together--with Metal for the future. In 2020 Katja Stefanovic, Jani´s wife, joined and The Waymaker was born." Yes, this project features not just one but two lead vocalists including the world renown vocal work of Christian Liljegren along with the very talented & beautiful vocals of Katja Stefanovic.
In an interview at Heaven's Metal Christian explains about the band's name: "The band name was not easy to come up with, but we tried different things and then The Waymaker came up. Who is my Waymaker? Who is yours? Jesus Christ is my Waymaker but also we try to be Waymakers for each other, also for our kids and for each other as friends, brothers and sisters in this world. The name sounds good but it is also an important thing when we see so much chaos in this world. Who is your Waymaker? That is the question."
The Waymaker draws influences from such bands as Yngwie Malmsteen(debut album-'Rising Force'), Stratovarius, Masterplan, and even Kamelot.
"We live in a chaotic world where it is hard to find peace and your place.
The Waymaker wants to deliver music with a heavenly hope and guidance to as many as possible."
The Waymaker wants to deliver music with a heavenly hope and guidance to as many as possible."
In 2020 The Waymaker released their full-length debut self-titled album on Melodic Passion Records. The band also produced a Japan version which was release on King Record Co. Ltd. The recording was produced and mixed by Jani Stefanovic at 'Chaos By Harmony Studios'. The album was mastered by Multi Grammy, Gold & Platinum Award winning Thomas Plec Johansson(Gathering of Kings, Soilwork, Nocturnal Rites, Divinefire) at Panic Room Studios, Sweden. The album's cover art was done by Jani Stefanovic.
The production is solid with the overall sound of the album being similar to what we have seen from Christian's previous bands Divinefire & Golden Resurrection. However, vocalist-Katja Stefanovic takes the group's sound to a new level and into uncharted waters where we can now make comparisons to bands like Nightwish, HB, Within Temptation, S91, and even Ecthirion(Hannah Neale). The vocals of both Christian and Katja creates a strong dynamic within each song giving the listener much more to appreciate. Hopefully we will see more from Katja on future releases by the band.
This debut release includes a cover of Stryper's 1985 song "Soldiers Under Command" which features a solo by guitarist-C. J. Grimmark. "I’m very happy and proud to do this song as this song started the journey doing Metal with a divine message says Christian and continues: Together with Jani, Katja and also my good old friend C.J. Grimmark from Narnia, we really captured the fire in this song and show the way how to develop Melodic Metal into the future." - Christian Liljegren -
Liljegren describes the band as a new way of Melodic Metal that will bring Melodic Metal into the future. "We have a goal to take the listener further to develop Melodic Metal and combine different elements, and in my ears we have a unique modern sound. Of course, you can hear elements from the bands we have been involved in but designed in a new way of metal for 2020."
The production is solid with the overall sound of the album being similar to what we have seen from Christian's previous bands Divinefire & Golden Resurrection. However, vocalist-Katja Stefanovic takes the group's sound to a new level and into uncharted waters where we can now make comparisons to bands like Nightwish, HB, Within Temptation, S91, and even Ecthirion(Hannah Neale). The vocals of both Christian and Katja creates a strong dynamic within each song giving the listener much more to appreciate. Hopefully we will see more from Katja on future releases by the band.
This debut release includes a cover of Stryper's 1985 song "Soldiers Under Command" which features a solo by guitarist-C. J. Grimmark. "I’m very happy and proud to do this song as this song started the journey doing Metal with a divine message says Christian and continues: Together with Jani, Katja and also my good old friend C.J. Grimmark from Narnia, we really captured the fire in this song and show the way how to develop Melodic Metal into the future." - Christian Liljegren -
Liljegren describes the band as a new way of Melodic Metal that will bring Melodic Metal into the future. "We have a goal to take the listener further to develop Melodic Metal and combine different elements, and in my ears we have a unique modern sound. Of course, you can hear elements from the bands we have been involved in but designed in a new way of metal for 2020."
Jani Stefanovic was formerly the guitarist for the band Divinefire along side Christian Liljegren. Jani Stefanovic played guitars for Divinefire on all 5 of their releases. After 8 years of separation, Jani once again takes the position as lead guitarist reuniting the energy and chemistry that He and Christian had both had before. On this release, Jani digs deep into his bag of tricks playing everything from heavy driving riffs to melodic guitar work to Power Metal to Thrash to Neo-Classical play. Not only does Jani offer up many varied styles of guitar shredin' but also there are some tasty guitar solos strategically placed throughout as well. Yes, Jani's guitar work lights up and electrifies this 2020 release from beginning to end resulting in a full on molten metal melt down!
Lyrics are overtly Christ centered and thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"The Waymaker"
Lord, give me eyes to see
To follow Your will
You're the anchor of my soul
I need Your shelter
Waymaker - I will follow You
Waymaker - Your love is going through
"Kingdom of Heaven"
A voice calling in the wilderness
I'll send my messenger ahead of you
Prepare the way
Make straight paths for Him
Prepare the way for the King
"Marching On"
In this time
I have my only hope in Christ
The sacrifice
You paid the price for me and you
"The Rain Of Your Love"
I struggle, struggle to get out
Reasoning, everything's gonna be alright
But I'm afraid, I'm still afraid
Then I run, run to You, Oh God
Set me free, set me free into the light
Lord, give me eyes to see
To follow Your will
You're the anchor of my soul
I need Your shelter
Waymaker - I will follow You
Waymaker - Your love is going through
"Kingdom of Heaven"
A voice calling in the wilderness
I'll send my messenger ahead of you
Prepare the way
Make straight paths for Him
Prepare the way for the King
"Marching On"
In this time
I have my only hope in Christ
The sacrifice
You paid the price for me and you
"The Rain Of Your Love"
I struggle, struggle to get out
Reasoning, everything's gonna be alright
But I'm afraid, I'm still afraid
Then I run, run to You, Oh God
Set me free, set me free into the light
The Waymaker is here to stay and show the way of new exciting Scandinavian Melodic Metal for listeners of all things Metal. If you are into bands like Yngwie Malmsteen, Nightwish, Divinefire, and Golden Resurrection then you are going to love what The Waymaker brings to the table. Let's help support Metal music by doing your part in getting your copy of this exciting new self-titled album today!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Christian Liljegren(Narnia, Divinefire, Golden Resurrection, Audiovision, Wisdom Call) - Lead & Backing Vocals
Katja Stefanovic(Random Eyes, Solo Artist) - Lead & Backing Vocals
Jani Stefanovic(Divinefire, Mehida, Essence Of Sorrow, ReinXeed) - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, & Backing Vocals
Guest Musicians:
Alfred Fridhagen(ReinXeed, Golden Resurrection) - Drums
Carl Johan Grimmark - Guitar solo on "Soldiers Under Command"
Christian Liljegren(Narnia, Divinefire, Golden Resurrection, Audiovision, Wisdom Call) - Lead & Backing Vocals
Katja Stefanovic(Random Eyes, Solo Artist) - Lead & Backing Vocals
Jani Stefanovic(Divinefire, Mehida, Essence Of Sorrow, ReinXeed) - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, & Backing Vocals
Guest Musicians:
Alfred Fridhagen(ReinXeed, Golden Resurrection) - Drums
Carl Johan Grimmark - Guitar solo on "Soldiers Under Command"