Mike Khalilov

Mike Khalilov was born on May 7, 1986 in Baku, Azerbaijan. He later relocated to Brooklyn, New York with his parents and younger brother. Michael attended Brooklyn Tech High School in Brooklyn, NY and is currently living in Staten Island. Mike’s mother began to teach him to play piano when he was 10 years old, despite having little formal training herself. Mike continued to play throughout his teens, influenced by contemporary acts such as Stratovarius, Skyfire, Sonata Arctica, Angra, and Yngwie Malmsteen, as well as the classical composers Mozart and Haydn. Mike briefly played in the power metal band Majestic Symphony before joining with guitarist Robert Katrikh in his Yngwie Malmsteen cover band, Until Destiny. Until Destiny recorded a demo in 2005 which has yet to be released.

Mike is also the founder of the band Empyreon with bass player Phil Coard, and drummer Frank Godla, co-founder of the website Metal Injection (www.metalinjection.net). [http://www.metalinjection.net] In the winter of 2006, Empyreon released their first 4 track EP, “Eternal Nightmare.”

Mike was the guest keyboard player for Dååth in January and February of 2007, accompanying them on their US tour with Job for a Cowboy, Psyopus, and the Acacia Strain.

In May 2008, Mike was selected by Timo Tolkki (formerly of Stratovarius) to be the keyboard player for Revolution Renaissance.

Michael currently uses the Yamaha DX7 and Roland JV-2080 synthesizers.