Share the post "The metal world mourns the death of Children of Bodom’s Alexi Laiho (tributes)"
Earlier this morning it was revealed that Finnish guitarist, composer, and vocalist Alexi Laiho – best known for founding and performing in Children of Bodom until the band split in 2019, along with his work with Bodom After Midnight (ex-Children of Bodom, ex-Santa Cruz, Paradise Lost), Warmen, Sinergy, Kylähullut, The Local Band and other acts – had died last week in his home in Helsinki, Finland. “Laiho had suffered from long-term health issues during his last years,” confirmed a message released by Napalm Records, Bodom After Midnight’s label. No official cause of death has been shared, Alexi was 41.
Speaking on the tragic news, Bodom After Midnight’s Daniel Freyberg, Mitja Toivonen and Waltteri Väyrynen stated that they were “crushed by the sudden passing” of their friend and band member. “Words cannot describe this shock and the profound sadness that we feel,” they added. Laiho and Freyberg formed Bodom After Midnight after Children of Bodom came to an end, inking a worldwide (excluding Japan) deal with Napalm Records just last month. With this morning’s heartbreaking news, Napalm Records also noted that Alexi and Bodom After Midnight recorded three songs and shot one music video last year, which “will be released later on posthumously.”
“More than 25 years of friendship. We lost a brother,” said Children of Bodom’s Henkka Blacksmith, Janne Wirman and Jaska Raatikainen. “The world lost a phenomenal song writer and one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Memories and Alexi’s music will live forever. Our thoughts are with Alexi’s family during this difficult time.”
The announcement of Laiho’s passing has no doubt sent a somber shockwave throughout the metal community, with metallers all across the world reacting to the terrible news. “Alexi Laiho was a monumental talent & a genuine, caring & thoughtful person,” said Lamb of God’s Mark Morton. “He will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace Alexi.”
Queensrÿche guitarist and songwriter Michael Wilton posted, “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.”
Testament shredder Alex Skolnick shared, “Sad news. #AlexiLaiho created new possibilities in extreme metal with technically sophisticated solos that held their own alongside the best in more popularized metal genres. Didn’t know him well, but we had appearances together over the years. A good guy, far too young to go RIP.”
Tobias Sammet (Avantasia, Edguy) expressed his feelings, “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.”
Horror rocker Wednesday 13 wrote, “Waking up to the news of my friend Alexi Laiho passing. The talent from this amazing Soul will live on forever. We had so much more Music to make together. Rest In Peace brother.”
President and CEO of Dean Guitars Evan Rubinson tweeted, “Alexi Laiho was one of my all-time favorite guitar players. I remember my father flying me up to Chicago as a teenager to see Children of Bodom & then a year later meeting alexi @DeanGuitars when he offered me a cig at 14 & my mom yelled at him haha #RIP #alexilaiho #guitarist.”
“Rest In Peace to another musical hero,” said Trivium’s Matt Heafy. “Without Children Of Bodom’s Something Wild, Hatebreeder, and Follow The Reaper – Trivium likely wouldn’t be here. You will be missed Alexi.”
“NO!!! Alexi was such an incredible soul,” declared Shadows Fall’s Brian Fair. “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.”
“A hero of my generation! Such a talent. He will be missed! RIP Alexi,” added Nightwish singer Floor Jansen.
The outpouring of love for Alexi goes on and on. See more tributes below.
RIP
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
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
I always wanted to meet Alexi Laiho.
We were brought together by @marty_friedman and shared the mic on a track from the Inferno album.
Hard way to start the week.
R.I.P. Alexi Laiho pic.twitter.com/QI468qY83l— Danko Jones (@dankojones) January 4, 2021
RIP Alexi Laiho 💔 pic.twitter.com/EDDZBjSg6R
— Revocation (@Revocation) January 4, 2021
We had the privilege to share the stage together. Incredible talent and brilliant guitar player.
You will be missed.
R.I.P. Alexi Laiho https://t.co/AGCYZYAhKm— Decapitated (@decapitated) 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
Rest In Peace Alexi 😢 Gone too soon. pic.twitter.com/QRqIuyedX1
— Nightwish (@NightwishBand) January 4, 2021
Dammit. Do yourself a favor and jam some Bodom today. https://t.co/FnDEy0aLGc
— Aaron Pauley (@aaronpauley) January 4, 2021
Very sad news for the guitar community. https://t.co/piKG4yNUQg
— Joe Bonamassa (Official) (@JBONAMASSA) January 4, 2021
no words. rest in peace wildchild. #ripalexilaiho pic.twitter.com/noICEdThHE
— daniel dekay |🔴LIVE| (@daniel_dekay) January 4, 2021
RIP Alexi Laiho pic.twitter.com/WslAcAENrY
— The Black Dahlia Murder (@bdmmetal) January 4, 2021
R.I.P. Alexi Laiho. It’s devastating to hear the news. One of the greatest guitarists of my generation is gone way too soon. This photo is from the day we met. It was in Tokyo summer 2003, for the cover of Young Guitar magazine. It was my first major cover shoot, so… pic.twitter.com/4lMTOL2My6
— Gus G. (@gusgofficial) January 4, 2021
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
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.
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
RIP Alexi 🖤
— Simone Simons (@SimoneSimons) January 4, 2021
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
Previously quoted tweets:
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
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
Sad news. #AlexiLaiho created new possibilities in extreme metal with technically sophisticated solos that held their own alongside the best in more popularized metal genres. Didn’t know him well, but we had appearances together over the years. A good guy, far too young to go
RIP https://t.co/Njxdpclrko pic.twitter.com/hUz45dClu1— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) 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
Waking up to the news of my friend Alexi Laiho passing 💔. The talent from this amazing Soul will live on forever. We had so much more Music to make together. Rest In Peace brother. ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/fCCiXsVV3J
— wednesday 13 (@officialwed13) January 4, 2021
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?
–
Streams: 9am – 1pm, M-F https://t.co/YgoiEcsxT0 pic.twitter.com/umQ9frWGZc
— Matthew kiichichaos Heafy (@matthewkheafy) January 4, 2021
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
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
Featured concert shot by Johnny Perilla
