Children Of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho dies at 41
Alexi Laiho, the guitarist and frontman of the Finnish metal band Children Of Bodom, has passed away at the age of 41.
Napalm Records confirmed the news this week.
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Alexi Laiho passed away in his Helsinki home last week following a battle with long-term health issues. Laiho was best known as the frontman and guitarist for Children Of Bodom and the metal supergroup Bodom After Midnight.
Napalm Records released a statement to CNN on Monday confirming the news of his death.
“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Alexi Laiho,” the statement says.
Statement from Bodom After Midnight:
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Alexi Laiho. We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken for the sudden loss of our dear friend and band member.
Daniel, Mitja & Waltteri pic.twitter.com/AohWJpfnFg
— Napalm Records (@NapalmRecords) January 4, 2021
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Laiho and drummer Jaska Raatikainen formed Children of Bodom all the way back in 1993. Soon after, the band went on to become one of Finland’s most internationally acclaimed metal acts up until their farewell concert back in December 2019. To date, Children of Bodom have sold over 250,000 albums in their native Finland.
Additionally, Laiho created the supergroup Bodom After Midnight last year. Together, the band recorded three songs and shot a music video, set to arrive posthumously.
Laiho’s bandmates Daniel Freyberg, Mitja Toivonen and Waltteri Väyrynen released a joint statement following the news of his death.
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“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,” they say.
Over the years, Laiho has received various awards for his trailblazing career in metal music. Guitar World Magazine readers even voted Laiho the Best Metal Guitarist. As well, the guitarist led a group of one hundred guitar players at the 2015 Helsinki Festival. Together, they performed “100 Guitars From Hel,” a massive concert piece completely composed by Laiho.
Fans, friends and fellow musicians have taken to social media to honor Alexi Laiho and the legacy he leaves behind in metal music.
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Rest in peace, Alexi Laiho. Absolute legend, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/zKDxcnwjkb
— Niklas Jensen (@nikguin04) January 4, 2021
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
Holy fucking shit. 2020 took one last legend on its way out. Unreal.
Alexi was one of the most inspiring and influential artists in my life, especially during my more formative years. I don’t even know what else to say. This sucks.
RIP Alexi Laiho pic.twitter.com/Er0eVy2pFC
— Chris Kelly (@ChrisKGuitar) January 4, 2021
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
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
Our thoughts go out to Alexi Laiho’s family during this time.
