Category Archives: Children Of Bodom

Children Of Bodom Members Open Up About The Demise Of The Band

Posted by caemanamelio on

In a new interview with Helsingin Sanomat, Children Of Bodom drummer Jaska Raatikainen, bassist Henkka Seppälä, and keyboardist Janne Wirman opened up about the demise of the band and their relationship with their late frontman Alexi Laiho. The group came forward because they feel “the fans have a right to know what happened.”

The trio said the following:

“Alexi was the only one to do interviews about the band breaking up, and his versions diverged from the truth. The fans have a right to know what happened.”

According to them, the band ultimately broke up due to Laiho‘s battles with substance abuse:

“Addiction is an illness, and he destroyed our trust in him with his actions in our business venture. But he apologized for a lot of things, and we did work together even after the band broke up.”

They went on to say that Laiho was having financial issues in 2017 and that he decided to resign in 2018 after going “bankrupt.” That situation did improve, but other issues arose. Laiho refused to go to rehab and was also dealing with health complications, including diabetes.

The band eventually agreed to do a final album and some farewell tours, but when they were scheduled to meet, Laiho didn’t show up. He then sent various “fuck off” messages following some misunderstandings. He also allegedly tried to take control of the band’s trademark, before the other members served him a “formal legal notice of loss of confidence together with a demand that he sign over the application for registering the rights to the name ‘Children of Bodom’ to the LLC.”

The trio went on to say that Laiho went off the rails during a 2019 tour in Russia. They say he was “hitting the bottle like back in 2008” to deal with sadness brought on by a sickness in his family. However, he did sober up for the closing dates of the trek. Later that year, the band played their final show in Helsinki, Finland and Laiho moved forward with his Bodom After Midnight project.

Notably, Seppälä added that they did reunite to work on a new merch store in 2020 and that they were friendly with one another:

“When we were about to launch our new shop, we asked Alexi to come on board with a one-fourth share in a number of products like before, and he was closely involved right up to the end of his life.”

You can read more over at Helsingin Sanomat.

Finnish Radio Station SuomiRock Honors The Late Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom) With “Lifetime Achievement Award”

Posted by caemanamelio on

Finnish radio station SuomiRock recently honored the late Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom) with a “lifetime achievement award.” The frontman’s sister, Anna, accepted the award and she had the following to say about it:

“Thank you very much, both from Alexi and from the whole family. It’s really great that Alexi’s precious musical heritage is being honored in such a wonderful way.”

[via Blabbermouth]

Family Of Late Children Of Bodom Frontman Alexi Laiho Call Out Kimberly Goss For Revealing His Cause Of Death

Posted by caemanamelio on

As previously reported, Kimberly Goss recently revealed that late Children Of Bodom and Bodom After Midnight frontman Alexi Laiho died as a result of “alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreas connective tissue” and that he “had a cocktail of painkillers, opioids and insomnia medication in his system.” She was able to obtain the information due to the fact that she was the musician’s legal widow, since they never officially divorced after getting married in 2002. Now, Laiho’s widow Kelli Wright-Laiho and his sister have both called out Goss for sharing the private information.

Laiho’s sister said the following:

“I confirm that my brother broke up with Kimberly Goss decades ago and he had several valid reasons to do so (I will not go through the details here). Their so-called ‘close friendship’ after breaking up exists only inside Kimberly´s mentally unstable head and everyone who knows Aleksi is well aware of that. This ‘friendship’ was totally unilateral. My brother never, not even once, said ANYTHING positive to me about Kimberly. Someone might wonder why Aleksi was still married to her if he hated her so much. The reason is very simple, it was because Kimberly threatened him to take 50% of his money if he divorces her. Leaving marriage valid was not the best decision, but he was clever enough to make a will, excluding Kimberly of his inheritance. Everything will go to our parents.

What is to be noticed is that Kimberly Goss currently prevents our family from burying Aleksi’s ashes and the situation has been this ever since the funeral took place on 28.1.2021. You see, this is how Kimberly Goss uses her legal rights as a widow, preventing griefing mother and father bury their own son. Her selfish and narcissistic explanation is that she wanted to take part in the funeral and still wants to be present when the ashes are buried. But our family does not want this monster anywhere near us. And last but not the least, publishing the details of Aleksi’s death is something Kimberly did against our family’s will and without our consent. I believe Aleksi would not wanted that either since he always wanted to keep his private life out of publicity. Our family’s opinion about publishing the details of the death was told to Kimberly very clearly and knowing this, she decided to do that.”

Wright-Laiho then added:

“Alexi’s phenomenal big sister sets the record straight after the disgusting release of Alexi’s private medical records 🤬🔥. So fucking proud to be apart [sic] of this family!!!”

Goss has since responded as well:

“I don’t know what to do. I’ll be damned if I do and damned if I don’t. I feel as though my hand is being forced by people who are spreading unthinkable lies about me. Lies that have resulted in me receiving gruesome threats of death/rape/ torture by fans who believe these falsehoods.

Lies that I’m a ‘gold-digger’ who Alexi ‘hated’. This can be easily disproven through the beautiful text and video messages he sent me daily, right until the last day of his life. Messages so sweet, yet so heartbreaking at the same time. Heartbreaking because you can see how ill he was. I tried everything I could to help him. I often messaged people in Helsinki to check in on him because I was so worried.

I’m only human and I’m nearing my breaking point. I feel desperate to clear my name, but I know the only way to do so definitively would be to release his beautiful video messages to me. His closest friends in Helsinki have seen these, but that’s apparently not enough to stop this slandering by a few delusional people. These messages are private, not meant for the world to see. I don’t want to release them, but more importantly, I don’t want to fear for my life every time I go outside. I take these threats very seriously. While most are empty, history has taught us that some fans are crazy enough to follow through. Dimebag was murdered by a fan who thought he was the reason Pantera broke up.

So do I let the people taunting me, win? My limits are being tested. I don’t want to stoop to their level, but how else do I get these threats to stop? The timeline of events clearly show that I’m not the one who started this public feud, but I have an obligation to defend myself against threats. It was HIS choice not to divorce me. Facts just seem to evade to certain people. I’m so broken.”

[via Metal Injection]

Cause Of Death Revealed For Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom)

Posted by caemanamelio on

Alexi Laiho’s cause of death has now been revealed. The late Children Of Bodom and Bodom After Midnight frontman died as a result of “alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreas connective tissue.” He was also said to have “had a cocktail of painkillers, opioids and insomnia medication in his system.” The news was confirmed by Kimberly Goss, who married Laiho in 2002 and never officially divorced him.

Goss issued the following statement:

“This morning I received the final forensic report with the official cause of Alexi’s passing. As his legal widow, I am privy to this information. The certificate reads in Finnish, “Alkoholin aiheuttama maksan rasvarappeutuminen ja haiman sidekudostuminen”. The English translation is, “Alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreas connective tissue”. Furthermore, he had a cocktail of painkillers, opioids and insomnia medication in his system.

The loss of this extraordinarily talented and beautiful soul is a tragedy that was entirely preventable. He had so many good years left in him. Imagine all the amazing music we could still be getting if he had just accepted help. I plead with anyone who is struggling with alcoholism or any other substance abuse problem, to please seek support. You do not have to meet this same fate. If people are trying to help you, remember that they are doing it out of love and concern, so please do not push them away. Please do not surround yourself with enablers who promote your addictions. Let this be a cautionary tale that no one is invincible.

I do not want his death to be in vain. My hope is to eventually start a memorial foundation or charity in his native, Finland to help others struggling with these same demons. This needs to be an open conversation, not a source of shame. We are all human, we all suffer, but help is out there. If his story can save even ONE life, then something good can come out of this horrible loss we have all endured.

Rest in peace, beloved Wildchild”

Listen To Previously Unreleased Live Recordings Of The Late Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom) Singing Death’s “Within The Mind” And “Defensive Personalities”

Posted by caemanamelio on

Journalist and author Björn “Nalle” Österman has paid tribute to the late Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom) and the late Chuck Schuldiner (Death) by releasing live audio of Laiho singing Death’s “Within The Mind” and “Defensive Personalities” during a March 1, 2002 memorial concert for Schuldiner at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland. Laiho performed the tracks with a supergroup called Evil Chucks. That band consisted of guitarist Mitja Harvilahti (Moonsorrow), guitarist Janne Perttilä (Moonsorrow, Barren Earth), bassist Oppu Laine (Amorphis, Chaosbreed, Barren Earth), drummer Nalle Österman (Gandalg, Chaosbreed), and several guest vocalists.

[via Blabbermouth]

Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom) Passes Away

Posted by caemanamelio on

Bodom After Midnight and former Children Of Bodom vocalist/guitarist Alexi Laiho has sadly passed away at the age of 41. The musician died at his home in Finland last week after previously battling long-term health issues.

Bodom After Midnight issued the following statement:

“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.”

Laiho’s sister continued:

“We are all absolutely shocked and devastated. We ask for privacy and understanding during these hard times. My little brother’s funeral will take place privately.”

His widow Kelli Wright-Laiho also added:

“Alexi was the most loving and magnificent husband and father. Our hearts are eternally broken.”

Children Of Bodom also commented:

“One of the most renowned guitarists in the world, Alexi Laiho, has passed away. The musician, most notably known as the front man of Children of Bodom, died in his home in Helsinki, Finland, last week. Laiho had suffered from long-term health issues during his last years.

More than 25 years of friendship. We lost a brother. 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.

-Henkka, Janne and Jaska”

Ex-Children Of Bodom Frontman Alexi Laiho’s “Chaos, Control & Guitar” Biography Is Now Available In English

Posted by caemanamelio on

An updated edition of Alexi Laiho’s “Chaos, Control & Guitar” biography has been released in English. A description of the book, which was written by Petri Silas, can be read below:

“Alexi Laiho is one of the most internationally successful metal musicians in Finland. When a punk rocker’s attitude to life is combined with dazzling technical know-how on the electric guitar, a larger-than-life story begins to unfold. Relentless practice, horror movies, and vintage cars. Hard rock and even harder partying. These are the elements that Alexi ‘Wildchild’ Laiho is known for. In his candid biography, the best metal guitarist in the world reveals for the first time what he loves, what he hates, and what he fears. A veritable Hitchhiker’s Guide to Alexi, ‘Chaos, Control & Guitar’ is the only authorized biography of the first four decades in the life of the former Children Of Bodom and current Bodom After Midnight frontman.”

Former Children Of Bodom Members On Their Departure: “We Couldn’t Find A Shared Viewpoint During These Last Few Years”

Posted by caemanamelio on

Children Of Bodom recently played their final show with bassist Henkka T. Blacksmith, drummer Jaska Raatikainen, and keyboardist Janne Wirman and now the three former members have issued a new statement on their departure. According to them, the group “couldn’t find a shared viewpoint during these last few years.”

Blacksmith, Raatikainen, and Wirman said the following:

“Dear fans,

2019 is coming to an end, so it’s a good time to take a look back before turning our gaze toward a new year. For us, 2019 was eventful, and a big part of that was playing our last COB gig in December.

We have received a lot of questions about what we’re going to do next and why we quit. Since this decision has sparked up a conversation and false rumors, we want to talk about why we ended up making it, one more time.

There is no argument behind the band’s name trademark or its use. We have a joint agreement. Alexi Laiho sold his share of the company and this meant that the three of us became owners of the COB brand. Although plans for our future are open, what is certain is that we will never do anything to disrespect this brand and the long career we’ve built together.

Also, we definitely want to set the record straight with the misconception that we quit because we have families or wanted to retire. Music is our profession and our lives, and all our families know that. They are proud of what we do, and they completely have our back. It should also go without saying that we as individuals are not retiring.

Success brings with it the responsibility to take a stand on decisions unrelated to music as well. These decisions were very difficult for us. We were five band members, each with their own roles, but we couldn’t find a shared viewpoint during these last few years.

The reason for writing this is not to point fingers but to clear things up. We are and always will be proud of what COB achieved together.

Happy holidays and best wishes for 2020!

Henkka, Janne and Jaska“

Frontman Alexi Laiho and guitarist Daniel Freyberg are planning to continue with new members, but it is unknown what name they will perform under.

Watch Footage From Children Of Bodom’s Final Show With Their Current Lineup

Posted by caemanamelio on

Last night (December 15), Children Of Bodom played their final show with bassist Henkka T. Blacksmith, drummer Jaska Raatikainen, and keyboardist Janne Wirman at the Jäähalli in Helsinki, Finland. You can find footage from the concert below. As previously reported, frontman Alexi Laiho and guitarist Daniel Freyberg plan to move forward with new members, but it is still unknown if they will be able to keep the Children Of Bodom name.

[via Blabbermouth]