Alexi Laiho, the founding vocalist of influential Finnish steel band Children of Bodom, has died on the age of 41.
His passing was confirmed with “nice disappointment” by the supergroup Bodom After Midnight, who Laiho fashioned together with his former bandmate Daniel Freyberg final yr after Kids of Bodom introduced their dissolution in 2019.
Assertion from Bodom After Midnight:
It’s with heavy hearts and nice disappointment that we now have to announce the passing of Alexi Laiho. We’re completely devastated and heartbroken for the sudden lack of our pricey good friend and band member.
Daniel, Mitja & Waltteri pic.twitter.com/AohWJpfnFg
— Napalm Information (@NapalmRecords) January 4, 2021
“It’s with heavy hearts and nice disappointment that we now have to announce the passing of Alexi Laiho,” the assertion confirmed.
“We’re completely devastated and heartbroken for the sudden lack of our pricey good friend and band member. Daniel, Mitja & Waltteri.”
A subsequent assertion from his former bandmates mentioned Laiho had suffered from “long-term well being points” throughout his remaining years.
“Laiho had suffered from long-term well being points throughout his final years. Greater than 25 years of friendship. We misplaced a brother,” the assertion learn.
“The world misplaced an exceptional track author and one of many best guitarists of all time. Reminiscences and Alexi’s music will reside eternally.
“Our ideas are with Alexi’s household throughout this troublesome time. -Henkka, Janne and Jaska.”
Kelli Laiho-Wright, Laiho’s spouse, mentioned: “Alexi was essentially the most loving and sumptuous husband and father. Our hearts are eternally broke.”
We’re shocked and saddened by the information that Kids of Bodom guitarist Alexi Laiho has handed away. #rip #alexilaiho #ripalexilaiho #childrenofbodom pic.twitter.com/FOAYwkFnFF
— Monsters Of Rock® (@MonstersOfRock) January 4, 2021
“We’re all completely shocked and devastated”, added Laiho’s sister. “We ask for privateness and understanding throughout these exhausting occasions. My little brother’s funeral will happen privately.”
His explanation for loss of life has but to be introduced.
Laiho was born within the Finnish metropolis of Espoo in 1979 and fashioned Kids of Bodom with drummer Jaska Raatikainen in 1993 below the title of Inearthed.
The band launched their acclaimed debut album ‘One thing Wild’ in 1997 and drew widespread reward for his or her distinctive model of melodic loss of life steel. It was adopted by 1999’s ‘Hatebreeder’, earlier than their third album ‘Observe The Reaper’ noticed the group scoring their first gold licensed file in Finland.
Their subsequent 4 albums went on to prime the chart in Finland, serving to to safe their standing as one of many nation’s top-selling musical acts of all time.
Laiho was additionally thought of to be considered one of steel’s most acclaimed guitarists, with a 2016 public poll by Total Guitar declaring him because the style’s best participant of all time.
I’m speechless… R.I.P. Alexi Laiho. #ripalexilaiho #alexilaiho pic.twitter.com/GhtRDguGJH
— ??????? ????? (@Michael_Amott) January 4, 2021
Kids of Bodom’s final album got here in 2019 with ‘Hexed’, earlier than the band introduced their cut up and performed their remaining present in December of that yr.
Main tributes, Swedish steel guitarist Michael Amott shared a photograph of him and Laiho collectively, writing: “I’m speechless.”
