The guitar world has mourned the loss of many legends, from Randy Rhoads to Eddie Van Halen, each leaving an indelible mark on music history. Among these titans, Alexi Laiho, the Finnish guitarist and vocalist of Children of Bodom and Bodom After Midnight, holds a special place. For GuitarWorld.com, and countless fans worldwide, Laiho’s passing in December 2020 was a deeply personal blow. He wasn’t just a musician; he was family.
Laiho, who tragically died at 41 due to health complications stemming from years of battling alcohol abuse, was more than just a shredder. He was a force of nature, a “Wild Child” on guitar, whose unique blend of brutality and melody redefined modern metal. Guitar World recognized his exceptional talent early on, championing him as a leading figure in the new wave of guitar heroes.
Our relationship with Alexi began in 2003, a decade after he and Jaska Raatikainen formed Inearthed, the precursor to Children of Bodom. Even in his early days, Laiho’s brilliance was undeniable. Brian Stillman perfectly captured Children of Bodom’s sound in Guitar World: “a crushingly brutal, yet melodically complex sound that combines million-mile-an-hour power chords with sweeping arpeggios, Vai-inspired solos and infectious leads.”
Alexi Laiho
(Image credit: Future)
From that moment, Alexi became a constant presence in Guitar World. We were captivated by his virtuosity and his captivating stage presence. He graced our pages numerous times, not just in interviews and photoshoots, but also as a contributor. He shared his expertise in guitar lessons, wrote a celebrity column for us between 2004 and 2005, and even interviewed Slayer’s legendary guitarist, Jeff Hanneman, for our September 2006 issue.
Alexi’s impact on the guitar world was undeniable. He was featured on the cover of the April 2005 Virtuoso Issue alongside Steve Vai and Zakk Wylde, a testament to his standing among guitar royalty. He earned accolades like a spot in our “50 Fastest Guitarists” in July 2008 and “100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All-Time” in March 2004. Guitar World was proud to dedicate significant coverage to Alexi, a musician who always embraced our support and shared his passion with our readers.
Born Markku Uula Aleksi Laiho on April 8, 1979, Alexi’s musical journey started early. He began playing violin at five, immersed in the world of classical music. However, a pivotal moment at age ten changed his musical trajectory forever. As he recounted to Guitar World in 2005, “I was 10 years old and watching MTV when the video for Steve Vai’s For the Love of God came on. That was the moment I knew I had to start playing.” Vai’s virtuosity ignited a fire in young Alexi, shifting his focus from classical melodies to the explosive energy of shred guitar.
This newfound passion was wholeheartedly supported by his parents. His father gifted him a white Tokai Stratocaster at 11, fueling his obsession. “Every day I’d run home from school and play it until my parents would almost have to physically knock me out to get me to sleep,” Alexi admitted. His dedication was absolute, leading him to prioritize guitar practice over school, a decision his mother understood and supported, recognizing his exceptional drive.
Alexi Laiho
(Image credit: Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns)
High school was where Alexi connected with drummer Jaska Raatikainen. Their shared love for metal led to jamming sessions and the formation of Inearthed. Even in these early days, Alexi’s “Wild Child” persona began to emerge, characterized by his intense dedication to his craft and his burgeoning stage presence.
Inearthed recorded three demos, gaining traction in the Finnish metal scene before a problematic record deal with a Belgian label. However, Spinefarm Records, a more prominent label, recognized their potential and offered a better contract. To escape the unfavorable Belgian deal, Alexi and the band cleverly announced Inearthed’s disbandment, only to “reform” immediately as Children of Bodom, signing with Spinefarm. This strategic move marked a significant turning point in Alexi’s career.
Children of Bodom’s debut album, Something Wild (1997), launched them into the international metal scene. Touring with bands like Hypocrisy and Covenant exposed them to the rock and roll lifestyle, something Alexi had only witnessed on MTV. “We’d never been anywhere with free booze before,” Alexi recalled. “That was great! We were riding on the bus with the other bands – it was a huge bus – and just having a great time. They accepted us very quickly, once they could see that we knew how to play and how to party.” This era solidified Alexi’s “Wild Child” image, both musically and personally.
Alexi Laiho
(Image credit: Joby Sessions / Future)
Children of Bodom’s popularity surged in the following years, establishing them as leaders in melodic death metal. This success was largely fueled by Alexi’s signature guitar style: blistering riffs, lightning-fast solos, and a commanding stage presence, all delivered with his iconic ESP guitars. Albums like Hate Crew Deathroll (2003), Are You Dead Yet? (2005), Blooddrunk (2008), and Relentless Reckless Forever (2011) cemented their status in extreme metal and brought Alexi the global recognition he deserved as a guitar virtuoso.
However, the “Wild Child” lifestyle had a darker side. While global success fulfilled Alexi’s musical ambitions, it also amplified his self-destructive tendencies. For much of his 25-year career, Alexi battled addiction and depression, leading to numerous dangerous incidents and health scares.
In 1998, at just 19, Alexi attempted suicide. “A friend found me on the floor and brought me to the hospital. I wasn’t in a good place,” he revealed in 2005. This was just the beginning of a long and difficult struggle. “Finally, a couple years after the pills, I had a complete mental breakdown and ended up in a hospital for a week. It was my third time. It was the worst I’d ever felt in my life.”
Alexi’s “Wild Child” reputation extended beyond his music into his personal life, often with detrimental consequences. In 2006, he broke his wrist falling off a car while intoxicated. A year later, a seemingly innocuous bowling incident resulted in a broken arm. “My friends were bowling, and drinking white Russians,” he recounted in 2008. “I got a strike, and I did a little dance or something, but since I was drunk, I slipped. Somehow, I flipped upside down and landed on my left shoulder. At first people were laughing, and I was even laughing, but then I was like, Oh shit, this doesn’t feel right. All of a sudden, my shoulder swelled up huge, and I knew I had broken my arm.” The injury was severe, requiring extensive physical therapy and temporarily hindering his guitar playing.
At first people were laughing, and I was even laughing. All of a sudden, my shoulder swelled up huge, and I knew I had broken my arm
Alexi Laiho
Despite these incidents, the “Wild Child” in Alexi was hard to tame. In 2008, he broke his shoulder again after being thrown from his tour bus bunk. However, the most serious wake-up call came in 2011 during the NAMM convention. He began vomiting blood and was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer. “I had a bleeding ulcer, and it was pretty fucking bad,” Alexi told Guitar World in 2011. “I was puking my guts out, and it wouldn’t stop… I had to stay in the hospital for four days or so. I was on a bunch of IV drips to keep me hydrated. It was the worst fucking thing ever. Seriously.”
This near-death experience forced Alexi to confront his destructive habits. “They told me there was no permanent stomach damage, but that I had to detoxify and get out of this habit of excessive drinking. It really made me see that you shouldn’t need to take five shots of whiskey before you become normal, you know?” While he attempted to moderate his drinking, the underlying struggles persisted.
Alexi Laiho
(Image credit: Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“I’m not saying I’m gonna stop forever. It’s just not something I’m thinking about now… I guess I always have to learn things the hard way. It just made me realize that I can’t go on that way and I have to take better care of myself.”
Children of Bodom continued to create music and tour until their disbandment in December 2019. Alexi then channeled his energy into Bodom After Midnight, recording new music and planning a debut album. His final live performance was with Bodom After Midnight in October 2020.
Alexi Laiho’s legacy extends far beyond his “Wild Child” persona. He was a phenomenal guitarist, a prolific songwriter, and a captivating performer. His influence on metal guitarists is undeniable, inspiring countless musicians to push their boundaries and embrace both technicality and melody. While his life was tragically cut short, his music and his “Wild Child” spirit will continue to resonate with generations of guitar players and metal fans worldwide.
