The metal world was shocked and saddened earlier this week by the news of the passing of metal guitar legend, Children of Bodom’s ALEXI LAIHO. As one of the most influential guitarists of his generation, the loss of his unquestionable impact is felt around the globe by metal musicians who he inspired.
Members of Immortal Guardian are just a few of those who admired and were impacted by Laiho‘s musical leadership.
In recognition of his monumental career and effect on them as fans and songwriters, Immortal Guardian guitarist Gabriel Guardian, vocalist Carlos Zema and drummer Justin Piedimonte along with friends Mary Zimmer (Helion Prime), Semir Özerkan (Oceans of Slumber), and Rex VanCandy are sharing a tribute video covering Children of Bodom’s track “Downfall”.
Gabriel Guardian comments:
“This is our tribute to one of the greatest metal guitar players who ever lived: Alexi Laiho. This man influenced me in ways no other guitar player ever has. Alexi set the bar for all of us! Him and Santana are my top 2 favorite guitar players of all time. I watched all his live videos/DVDs religiously as a kid and was so influenced by all the legendary music Children of Bodom and Sinergy made to be like them. Those dual guitar/keyboard leads set the vibe/bar for me for many many years learning how to play music. I’m so sad to see the world has one less guitar legend. His music helped me get through some of my darkest days and he inspired me to make metal music from day one.
Big thanks to my friends who collaborated with me to make this tribute happen. We are all Bodom fans and had so much fun making this video. We are all so saddened by the news and we coped with it by doing what we do best, playing music. I hope where ever Alexi is, he can hear our tribute and feel the infinite amounts of love all his fans have for him. Until we meet again… RIP Alexi Laiho (WildChild)”
One of the most renowned guitarists in the world, ALEXI LAIHO, has passed away. The musician, most notably known as the front man of Children of Bodom, died in his home in Helsinki, Finland, last week. Laiho had suffered from long-term health issues during his last years.
[photo credit: Terhi Ylimäinen]
Alexi Laiho and drummer Jaska Raatikainen founded Children of Bodom in 1993, and the band was one of the most internationally acclaimed metal acts in Finland up until their very last farewell concert in December of 2019. Last year Alexi Laiho put together Bodom After Midnight, who recorded three songs and shot one music video, which will be released later on posthumously.
Besides Children of Bodom, Laiho was known for acts such as Warmen, Sinergy, Kylähullut and The Local Band. Awarded with a Metal Hammer Golden Gods and several other international prizes, the guitarist was also the main star, leading a group of one hundred guitar players at Helsinki Festival in 2015 in “100 Guitars From Hel” – a massive concert piece he composed.
“We are crushed by the sudden passing of our dear friend and band member. Words cannot describe this shock and the profound sadness that we feel”, Daniel Freyberg, Mitja Toivonen and Waltteri Väyrynen from Bodom After Midnight state.
The talented guitarist and musician relished his roles as stepdad in his patchwork family, and as uncle and godfather. Especially during the last years, the important family ties brought a welcomed balance to his life and the active touring. Laiho was particularly close with his big sister, parents and his sister’s daughter. Laiho’s sister says:
“We are all absolutely shocked and devastated. We ask for privacy and understanding during these hard times. My little brother’s funeral will take place privately.”
Alexi Laiho will also be deeply missed by his family in Australia.
“Alexi was the most loving and magnificent husband and father. Our hearts are eternally broken”, Kelli Wright-Laiho says.
THE LOCAL BAND, the Finnish covers act featuring Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM), Jussi69 (THE 69 EYES), Olli Herman (RECKLESS LOVE) and Archie Kuosmanen (SANTA CRUZ), played a one-off show this past Friday, December 27 at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland. The group’s setlist consisted of 1980s “hair metal” classics, around 30 songs for which have been rehearsed, including tracks originally written and recorded by VAN HALEN, GUNS N’ ROSES, POISON and MÖTLEY CRÜE.
“This is a fun break from everything that we normally do,” the band’s founder, Jussi69, told Ilta-Sanomat.
“We do not have any plans for the future,” he added.
“Alexi and the rest of us all have other commitments of our own.
“This is a one-time-only concert. At least for now.
“For us, this is just for fun.
“This is a Christmas present for our fans.”
THE LOCAL BAND‘s setlist was as follows:
01. Shout At The Devil (MÖTLEY CRÜE)
02. Looks That Kill (MÖTLEY CRÜE)
03. Yankee Rose (DAVID LEE ROTH)
04. Fallen Angel (POISON)
05. Slave To The Grind (SKID ROW)
06. Too Young To Fall In Love (MÖTLEY CRÜE)
07. Round & Round (RATT)
08. Guitar battle: Alexi Laiho vs. Arttu “Archie” Kuosmanen
09. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love (VAN HALEN)
10. Nothin’ But A Good Time (POISON)
11. Wanted Dead Or Alive (BON JOVI)
12. Unskinny Bop (POISON)
13. Panama (VAN HALEN)
14. Nightrain (GUNS N’ ROSES)
15. Rock And Roll All Nite (KISS)
Check out fan-filmed video footage below.
CHILDREN OF BODOM will make its triumphant return to North America this February. The band has announced a six-week major market headlining tour that will kick off on February 14 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada and hit 32 markets across the U.S. and Canada before wrapping with a two-night stand at New York City’s Irving Plaza on March 28 and March 29. The tour will feature support from folk metal heroes TÝR and represents CHILDREN OF BODOM‘s first Stateside headlining run since the release of the band’s new LP, “Halo Of Blood”.
November
1 – Porto, Portugal – Club Hard **
2 – Santiago de Compostella, Spain – Sala Capitol **
3 – Bilbao, Spain – Rock Star **
5 – Toulouse, France – Le Bikini **
6 – Istres, France – Usine **
7 – Lausanne, Switzerland – Les Docks **
8 – Milan, Italy – Live Club **
10 – Vienna, Austria – Arena **
12 – Bucharest, Romania – Turbohalle **
13 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Universiada Hall **
15 – Thessaloniki, Greece – Prinicpal Club **
16 – Athens, Greece – Gagarin 205 **
18 – Belgrade, Serbia – Dom Omladine **
19 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Kino Siska **
20 – Bratislava, Slovakia – Majestic Music Club **
22 – Budapest, Hungary – Petöfi Csarnok **
23 – Zlin, Czech Repbulic – Winter Masters Of Rock **
24 – Cracow, Poland – Klub Studio **
25 – Warsaw, Poland – Stodola **
* special guests: INSOMNIUM and MEDEIA
** special guests: DECAPITATED and Medeia
Source: Bravewords.com CHILDREN OF BODOM frontman Alexi Laiho is featured in a new interview with BW&BK’s Carl Begai. An excerpt is available below:
No Children Of Bodom release would be complete without a few cover songs waiting in the wings as bonus tracks or b-sides. Halo Of Blood sports two; ROXETTE’s ‘Sleeping In My Car’, and BANANARAMA’s ‘Cruel Summer’ complete with guest solo by ANNIHILATOR guitarist Jeff Waters. Old hat for COB after 15 years in the game, and it supposedly never gets boring doing up new cover songs.
“Fuck no, and I don’t think that’s ever going to happen because the fact of the matter is we have so much fun doing cover songs,” Laiho states, blunt and straightforward. “Sometimes we try and pick the most retarded songs we can find, like disco or something, and once again it’s a challenge to do something like that. Take a disco song and dress it up in metal, but we want to make it sound professional. It’s supposed to be funny, but it’s not supposed to be a total joke.”
Halo Of Blood also breaks the COB tradition of crap (or at least questionable) cover art, which has graced their last three albums (Are You Dead Yet?, Blooddrunk, Relentless Reckless Forever). Like his bandmates, Laiho is completely satisfied with the final product.
“’It’s pretty fucking awesome (laughs). I’m really happy with the artwork, and I’m supposed to say that because it’s the new album, but I really mean it. It fits the album perfectly, and even if you hadn’t heard the album or you didn’t know anything about Children Of Bodom, it definitely sticks out and grabs your attention.”
Children Of Bodom will launch their European tour at the end of September, running through the end of November. The tour starts in Sweden and goes through Norway, Denmark, Germany, Benelux, UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, CzechRepublic and Poland. Before hitting Europe, Children Of Bodom tour through North America, Japan and Finland.
Tour dates:
September
25 – Stockholm, Sweden – Tyrol *
26 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Brewhouse *
27 – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller *
28 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio *
29 – Hamburg, Germany – Hamburg Metal Dayz *
October
1 – Cologne, Germany – Live Music Hall *
2 – Berlin, Germany – Postbahnhof *
3 – Osnabrück, Germany – Halle Gartlage *
4 – Antwerp, Belgium – Trix *
5 – Leipzig, Germany – Werk 2 *
7 – Bourenmouth, England – Academy *
8 – Bristol, England – Academy *
10 – Dublin, Ireland – Vicar Street *
12 – Sheffield, England – Academy *
13 – Newcastle, England – Academy *
14 – Manchester, England – Academy *
15 – London, England – Shepherd’s Bush Empire *
17 – Saarbrücken, Germany – Garage *
18 – Straubling, Germany – Metal Invasion *
19 – Alsfeld, Germany – Stadthalle *
20 – Tilburg, Netherlands – O13 *
21 – Stuttgart, Germany – LKA Longhorn *
23 – Paris, France – Le Zenith **
24 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 **
26 – Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz 1 **
27 – Madrid, Spain – La Riviera **
29 – Sevilla, Spain – Sala Custom **
30 – Lisbon, Portugal – Paradise Garage **
November
1 – Porto, Portugal – Club Hard **
2 – Santiago de Compostella, Spain – Sala Capitol **
3 – Bilbao, Spain – Rock Star **
5 – Toulouse, France – Le Bikini **
6 – Istres, France – Usine **
7 – Lausanne, Switzerland – Les Docks **
8 – Milan, Italy – Live Club **
10 – Vienna, Austria – Arena **
12 – Bucharest, Romania – Turbohalle **
13 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Universiada Hall **
15 – Thessaloniki, Greece – Prinicpal Club **
16 – Athens, Greece – Gagarin 205 **
18 – Belgrade, Serbia – Dom Omladine **
19 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Kino Siska **
20 – Bratislava, Slovakia – Majestic Music Club **
22 – Budapest, Hungary – Petöfi Csarnok **
23 – Zlin, Czech Repbulic – Winter Masters Of Rock **
24 – Cracow, Poland – Klub Studio **
25 – Warsaw, Poland – Stodola **
* special guests: INSOMNIUM and MEDEIA
** special guests: DECAPITATED and Medeia
Source: Bravewords.com
In a recent chat with BW&BK’s Carl Begai, CHILDREN OF BODOM frontman Alexi Laiho talked about the band’s move from Universal to Nuclear Blast for their new album, Halo Of Blood:
BW&BK: Was the move a case of the band’s contract running out, or feeling like a number on a large label like Universal rather than an actual living, breathing band trying to make a living?
Laiho: “It was both, really. The contract expired and we did want to move to a smaller label. Nuclear Blast was one of our top choices because it’s a real metal label, and as far as priorities go Children Of Bodom is a bigger goddamn priority than we were at Universal. That makes a big difference at the end of the day.”
BW&BK: Was being part of the Universal roster beneficial for the band? Once you cross the threshold from smaller labels (Spinefarm, Nuclear Blast) to the big leagues there really is the danger of becoming just another name on a long list of record company projects.
Laiho: “It actually did help in many areas, but the problem was that the label kept changing all the time in certain countries. For one album there would be a Universal sub-label in the States or Germany, and they did a great job for that one album, but then we’d have to deal with a whole set of different people for the next album and they didn’t give a flying fuck about us. We never knew who the hell we were going to work with, so that was the main problem we had at Universal.”
BW&BK’s Halo Of Blood review can be found at this location.
Children Of Bodom will launch their European tour at the end of September, running through the end of November. The tour starts in Sweden and goes through Norway, Denmark, Germany, Benelux, UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, CzechRepublic and Poland. Before hitting Europe, Children Of Bodom tour through North America, Japan and Finland.
Tour dates:
September
25 – Stockholm, Sweden – Tyrol *
26 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Brewhouse *
27 – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller *
28 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio *
29 – Hamburg, Germany – Hamburg Metal Dayz *
October
1 – Cologne, Germany – Live Music Hall *
2 – Berlin, Germany – Postbahnhof *
3 – Osnabrück, Germany – Halle Gartlage *
4 – Antwerp, Belgium – Trix *
5 – Leipzig, Germany – Werk 2 *
7 – Bourenmouth, England – Academy *
8 – Bristol, England – Academy *
10 – Dublin, Ireland – Vicar Street *
12 – Sheffield, England – Academy *
13 – Newcastle, England – Academy *
14 – Manchester, England – Academy *
15 – London, England – Shepherd’s Bush Empire *
17 – Saarbrücken, Germany – Garage *
18 – Straubling, Germany – Metal Invasion *
19 – Alsfeld, Germany – Stadthalle *
20 – Tilburg, Netherlands – O13 *
21 – Stuttgart, Germany – LKA Longhorn *
23 – Paris, France – Le Zenith **
24 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 **
26 – Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz 1 **
27 – Madrid, Spain – La Riviera **
29 – Sevilla, Spain – Sala Custom **
30 – Lisbon, Portugal – Paradise Garage **
November
1 – Porto, Portugal – Club Hard **
2 – Santiago de Compostella, Spain – Sala Capitol **
3 – Bilbao, Spain – Rock Star **
5 – Toulouse, France – Le Bikini **
6 – Istres, France – Usine **
7 – Lausanne, Switzerland – Les Docks **
8 – Milan, Italy – Live Club **
10 – Vienna, Austria – Arena **
12 – Bucharest, Romania – Turbohalle **
13 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Universiada Hall **
15 – Thessaloniki, Greece – Prinicpal Club **
16 – Athens, Greece – Gagarin 205 **
18 – Belgrade, Serbia – Dom Omladine **
19 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Kino Siska **
20 – Bratislava, Slovakia – Majestic Music Club **
22 – Budapest, Hungary – Petöfi Csarnok **
23 – Zlin, Czech Repbulic – Winter Masters Of Rock **
24 – Cracow, Poland – Klub Studio **
25 – Warsaw, Poland – Stodola **
* special guests: INSOMNIUM and MEDEIA
** special guests: DECAPITATED and Medeia
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