Hiili Hiilesmaa

Kai "Hiili" Hiilesmaa (born December 1966) is a Finnish record producer and musician. He is the vocalist of the rock band The Skreppers, former drummer of the doom metal band KYPCK and former keyboardist of the rock band Daniel Lioneye. He has worked with several internationally recognized rock groups, including his near 20-year association with Finnish band HIM.^[1][2][3]

Hiili Hiilesmaa
Hiilesmaa performing with KYPCK in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Kai Hiilesmaa
Born	December 1966 (1966-12) (age 58)
Origin	Helsinki, Finland
Genres	Hard rock, gothic rock, progressive metal, death-doom, melodic death metal, folk metal, shock rock, industrial metal, alternative metal, black metal, doom metal, sludge metal
Occupation(s)	Record producer, musician
Instrument(s)	Vocals, drums, keyboards
Years active	1995–present
Website	hiilihiilesmaa.com

Hiilesmaa began producing music professionally in 1995, recording with such bands as HIM, Amorphis and Apocalyptica. His trademarks include heavy, overdriven guitar sounds and experimental synthesiser programming. In 2013, Hiilesmaa addressed his preference for analog recording, saying "I prefer analog these days. Not only the sound, it asks more attitude to work with analog. Also you must make up your mind faster. There is no 'undo' in analog, which is often good."^[4]

Partial production discography

The 69 Eyes

• Devils (2005)
• Angels (2007)

Amorphis

• "Elegy" (1995)
• "My Kantele" (1997)
• "Far from the Sun" (2003)

Ancara

• Chasing Shadows (2009)

Apocalyptica

• Inquisition Symphony (1998)
• "Cult" (2000)

Eilera

• Precious Moment (2005)
• Fusion (2007)

HIM

• 666 Ways to Love: Prologue (1996)
• Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666 (1997)
• Love Metal (2003)
• And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004 (2004)
• Venus Doom (2007)
• Shatter Me with Hope (Sword of Democles version) from the "Heartkiller" CD single (2010)
• "XX – Two Decades of Love Metal (2012)
• Tears on Tape (2013)

Lordi

• "The Monsterican Dream" (2004)

Moonspell

• Darkness and Hope (2001)
• The Antidote (2003)

Poisonblack

• Of Rust and Bones (2010)

Ruoska

• Rabies (2008)

Samantha Scarlette

• Violent Delights + Violent Ends (2014)^[5]

Sentenced

• "Crimson (1999)
• "The Cold White Light" (2002)
• "The Funeral Album" (2005)