Markus Toivonen

Markus Toivonen
Markus Toivonen performing in 2016
Markus Toivonen performing in 2016
Background information
Born (1979-11-15) 15 November 1979 (age 44)
Helsinki, Finland
GenresFolk metal
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1995–present
LabelsSpinefarm
Member ofEnsiferum
WebsiteEnsiferum's website

Markus Toivonen (born 1979 in Helsinki) is the founding member of the Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum. Markus founded the band in 1995 and is the sole original member to have lasted the distance to Ensiferum's present incarnation. His role in the band is guitarist and primary songwriter. He has always contributed backing vocals and since the departure of Jari Mäenpää in 2004 has taken up a greater role behind the microphone, sharing the clean vocal parts with new bass player Sami Hinkka, with Mäenpää's replacement Petri Lindroos handling the harsh vocals.

Markus also plays in a side band called Speden Timantit and has been a member of the short-lived black/death metal outfit Soulstream.