Well... It is now, It was his main project before joining Sonata.

Yep.  He's done 3 solo albums though.

For anyone interested. Lion Music are re-releasing Elias' first solo album.  This includes a live DVD.

http://www.lionmusic.com/cd/takingthelead.htm

 
Tampere’s Elias Viljanen is a Finnish guitar hero blessed with Concorde-fast fingers. Viljanen has association with Depravity, Mess, Sigillum Diaboli, E.vil and Black Metal combo Astral. His recording and live band, dubbed Evil Spirit, comprises guitarist Jukka Talasmäki, guitarist / keyboard player Jari Koivisto, Recall bassist Rami Herckman with Tomi Ylönen of Recall, Roundsun and Snowblind on drums.

Debut album, 2002’s ‘Taking The Lead’ issued through Finnish label Lion Music’, was recorded at Phantom Studios in Tampere. The August 2005 album, ‘The Leadstar’, included guest players fellow guitarist Lars Eric Mattson, Jani Kemppinen on keyboards, Jaan Wessman on bass and Janne Juutinen of Masterstroke and Lacu Lahtinen of Snakegod and Hanoi Rocks on the drums. Oddly this record included a cover version of Lionel Richie’s Pop ballad ‘Hello’.

In mid-2007 he joined Sonata Arctica, replacing Jani Liimatainen on guitar.
 

Elias Viljanen - Fire-Hearted

 

Elias Viljanen - One Tonight	Small | Large