Rockers Mourn the Death of Children of Bodom’s Alexi Laiho
Today, Jan. 4, it was revealed that Children of Bodom guitarist and vocalist Alexi Laiho died at the age of 41 in his home in Finland last week. The loss of such an illustrious guitar hero is a painful one and Laiho’s peers have begun to reflect on his passing on social media.
Born Markku Uula Aleksi Laiho on April 8, 1979, the musician rose to prominence with the highly melodic extreme metal act Children of Bodom, with which he released his first album, Something Wild, at just 18 years old. With the subsequent releases of the Hatebreeder, Follow the Reaper and Hate Crew Death Roll albums, Laiho instantly gained recognition as incredibly accomplished musician capable of weaving neoclassical melodies and power/glam metal pomp into the Finnish group’s pummeling assault of extremity.
In all, Children of Bodom put out 10 albums spanning 1997 through 2019, on which Laiho served as the primary writing force. Following the band’s breakup in 2019 after the simultaneous departure of three longtime members, Laiho formed the Bodom After Midnight offshoot and retained Bodom axeman Daniel Freyberg, who had joined in 2016. A 2021 full length debut was expected to be released as well.
View what members of the rock and metal community had to say about Laiho’s death below. Our condolences to the Laiho family, Alexi’s bandmates and all who knew the influential musician.
Children of Bodom
Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
So sad to hear about the passing of Alexi Laiho. We often toured together, he was truly an incredible talent. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/pcEpQxQRNL
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) January 4, 2021
Alex Skolnick (Testament)
Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer)
Mark Morton (Lamb of God)
Alexi Laiho was a monumental talent & a genuine, caring & thoughtful person.
He will be greatly missed.
Rest In Peace Alexi— Mark Morton (@MarkDuaneMorton) January 4, 2021
Trivium
We are saddened by the news of the passing of our dear friend, Alexi Laiho. His music was a big influence on Trivium, we toured with them & Amon Amarth back in 2005. Alexi & the band were always gracious to us. A modern day guitar hero & rightfully deserves that praise. RIP Alexi pic.twitter.com/XcQpGIj99q
— Trivium (@TriviumOfficial) January 4, 2021
Chris Kael (Five Finger Death Punch)
Matt Heafy (Trivium)
Rest In Peace to another musical hero.
Without Children Of Bodom’s Something Wild, Hatebreeder, and Follow The Reaper – Trivium likely wouldn’t be here.
You will be missed Alexi.
Favorite Bodom song of all time?
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Streams: 9am – 1pm, M-F https://t.co/YgoiEcsxT0 pic.twitter.com/umQ9frWGZc
— Matthew kiichichaos Heafy (@matthewkheafy) January 4, 2021
Herman Li (DragonForce)
Rest in Peace Alexi Laiho.
Alexi has been an incredible gift to the metal world with his amazing talent and monster guitar playing. I've always regarded Alexi as one of the best metal guitarists of this generation, together with his exciting approach and attitude. pic.twitter.com/cWgB5IQPCJ— Herman Li (@HermanLi) January 4, 2021
The Black Dahlia Murder
RIP Alexi Laiho pic.twitter.com/WslAcAENrY
— The Black Dahlia Murder (@bdmmetal) January 4, 2021
Mille Petrozza (Kreator)
Michael Amott (Arch Enemy, ex-Carcass)
Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth)
Floor Jansen (Nightwish)
A hero of my generation! Such a talent. He will be missed! RIP Alexi
by @BeckflashAndrea pic.twitter.com/xkTWhf8uUi
— Floor Jansen (@FloorJansen_) January 4, 2021
Gus G. (Firewind, ex-Ozzy Osbourne)
Amorphis
Marty Friedman (ex-Megadeth)
Absolutely gutted about Alexi Laiho`s very untimely passing. He had a lot more to left to say with his music.
— Marty Friedman (@marty_friedman) January 4, 2021
Tobias Sammett (Edguy, Avantasia)
Rest in Peace, Alexi Laiho. 41 is way too young. A lovely guy whose talent stood out from our generation of Metal musicians. I will always have the utmost respect for him, he will be sorely missed in the Metal world. My condolences and prayers go out to his family. pic.twitter.com/cEy4NnnVzJ
— Tobias Sammet (@tobiassammet) January 4, 2021
Sonata Arctica
R.I.P. Alexi Laiho
We are sad to hear of Alexi Laiho passing. You were a great musician and a real guitar hero. You will be remembered. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Sonata Arctica pic.twitter.com/d4InQEMtXH
— Sonata Arctica (@SonataArctica) January 4, 2021
Michael Wilton (Queensryche)
I am in shock – just heard of friend and renowned guitarist Alexi Laiho's passing. On behalf of myself and Queensryche we send our deepest condolences to his band mates, family and fellow friends. RIP brother pic.twitter.com/E60Nl0vt7v
— Michael Wilton (@MikeoftheRyche) January 4, 2021
Paolo Gregoletto (Trivium)
Glad we got to tour with them on this album. https://t.co/7mugqOmZIy
— Paolo Gregoletto (@TriviumPaolo) January 4, 2021
COB were at a high point in 2005 and this tour was totally sold out at just about every date. They absolutely shredded and sounded incredible night after night. This tour was tough for us after riding high on Ozzfest, the audience wasn’t really sure about the hype around us… pic.twitter.com/auYosbkObh
— Paolo Gregoletto (@TriviumPaolo) January 4, 2021
Alexi is a modern day guitar hero and rightly deserves the praise he is getting today for the music he left us with. #RIPAlexi
— Paolo Gregoletto (@TriviumPaolo) January 4, 2021
Nightwish
Rest In Peace Alexi Gone too soon. pic.twitter.com/QRqIuyedX1
— Nightwish (@NightwishBand) January 4, 2021
Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity)
Devastated to hear of Alexi Laiho's passing. We toured together many times throughout the years. What an incredible talent and all round super great dude. He will be missed. #alexilaiho
— Mikael Stanne (@MiklStne) January 4, 2021
Shagrath (Dimmu Borgir)
Jason Suecof (producer)
Simone Simmons (Epica)
RIP Alexi
— Simone Simons (@SimoneSimons) January 4, 2021
Brian Fair (Shadows Fall)
NO!!! Alexi was such an incredible soul. Always so much fun to be around. They took shads on our 2nd tour of Europe and it was one of the most memorable runs we ever did. I am truly heartbroken by this. Shred on in the beyond Alexi. Blessing to his family + friends #RIPAlexiLaiho https://t.co/uKzcn3bbHQ
— Brian Fair (@brianshadfall) January 4, 2021
Terry Butler (Obituary)
Ozzfest
Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper)
Decapitated
Samus Paulicelli (Decrepit Birth)
Chris Holmes (ex-W.A.S.P.)
Marshall Amps
A truly incredible player and long time Marshall user. ❤️ Our thoughts are with Alexi Laiho's family and @cobhc during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/VrxcLxMoiz
— Marshall Amps (@marshallamps) January 4, 2021
Orange Amplifiers
Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves)
I discovered Children of Bodom when I bought their first album Something Wild on import from Vintage Vinyl in 1999. I’d never heard anything like it. The band were teenagers like myself but played like virtuosos. It was mind bending. Alexi was at the heart of that. pic.twitter.com/qHJUq1iMsH
— Doc Coyle (@DocCoyle) January 4, 2021
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