Alexi Laiho

Alexi Laiho, regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of his time, was recognized for his technical prowess, lightning-fast riffs, and melodic solos that included aspects of neoclassical, shred, and death metal.

Table of Contents

1. Who Is Alexi Laiho?

Alexi Laiho (1979-2020) was a Finnish guitarist and musician. He was the founding member and lead guitarist of the melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, as well as a member of Sinergy and Kylähullut. Laiho was well-known for his technical guitar abilities as well as his contributions to the growth of the melodic death metal genre. He died on December 29, 2020.

2. 5 Facts About Alexi Laiho

He started Children of Bodom in 1993, and the band went on to record ten studio albums and garner several accolades and nominations.
He was renowned as one of the top guitarists in the world for his technical guitar talents, integrating aspects of neoclassical metal, thrash metal, and power metal.
Laiho’s technical guitar abilities were recognized when he was named “Best Metal Guitarist” by Guitar World magazine in 2008 and “Best Shredder” at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in 2014.
He was also a part of the supergroup Bodom After Midnight, which he founded after quitting Children of Bodom in 2020, and issued their first and only EP in 2021.
Laiho died on December 29, 2020, at the age of 41, after long-term health concerns, leaving behind a legacy as one of the metal scene’s most influential and brilliant artists.

3. Top 10 Best Songs

Alexi Laiho created and played many amazing songs during his career as the founder and lead guitarist of Children of Bodom, as well as a member of other bands. Here are a some of his most popular and well-liked songs:

“Hate Me!” – from the album “Hatebreeder” (1999)
“Downfall” – from the album “Hatebreeder” (1999)
“Everytime I Die” – from the album “Follow the Reaper” (2000)
“Needled 24/7” – from the album “Hate Crew Deathroll” (2003)
“In Your Face” – from the album “Are You Dead Yet?” (2005)
“Angels Don’t Kill” – from the album “Are You Dead Yet?” (2005)
“Are You Dead Yet?” – from the album “Are You Dead Yet?” (2005)
“Blooddrunk” – from the album “Blooddrunk” (2008)
“Not My Funeral” – from the album “Relentless Reckless Forever” (2011)
“Morrigan” – from the album “Hexed” (2019)

These songs that Alexi Laiho composed and performed during his career that gained a lot of exposure on metal and rock radio stations and were well-liked by fans and critics alike are worth listening to.

4. Is Alexi Laiho Best Guitarist?

Because musical aptitude and ability are extremely subjective, determining who the “best” guitarist is is tough. Alexi Laiho, on the other hand, was widely considered as an exceptionally brilliant and influential guitarist, particularly in the melodic death metal and neoclassical metal genres. Throughout his career, his technical prowess and inventive playing style, which included complex riffs, quick solos, and nuanced melodies, garnered him a dedicated fan following and critical praise. His reputation as a great performer continues to inspire and influence many artists today. He was constantly named among the finest guitarists in the world by music journals and websites. In the end, whether Alexi Laiho was the “greatest” guitarist is a question of personal preference, but his talent and effect on the metal music industry are clear.

5. How Did Alexi Laiho Pass Away?

Alexi Laiho died at the age of 41 on December 29, 2020. His family said in a statement that he died at his home in Helsinki, Finland, after suffering from long-term health problems. The particular reason of his death was not given in the first announcement, however his former bandmate Janne Wirman claimed in a subsequent interview that Alexi died from “alcohol-related disorders and a mixture of medicines.” Fans and the metal world were shocked and saddened to learn of his death, as they lamented the loss of a gifted artist and guitar prodigy.

6. What Did Alexi Laiho Suffer From?

The cause of death for Alexi Laiho has been revealed. He died of “alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreatic connective tissue,” according to his former Sinergy bandmate Kimberly Goss, to whom he was still legally married at the time of his death. Laiho also had a mixture of pain relievers, opioids, and sleeplessness medicine in his system. The 41-year-old apparently had long-term health concerns that contributed to his demise.

7. Did Alexi Laiho Know Music Theory?

Yes, Alexi Laiho understood music theory well, as seen by his sophisticated and inventive guitar playing. He frequently highlighted his love of classical music and his appreciation for composers like as J.S. Bach in interviews, and he attributed his understanding of music theory with allowing him to make more sophisticated and intriguing music. In addition, he was recognized for mixing unusual scales and modes into his playing, like as the Phrygian dominant scale, which he employed to great advantage in several of his works. While he was mostly self-taught as a guitarist, he did study music theory and composition and was able to apply his expertise to his playing and compositions.

8. Why Did Alexander Leave Children Of Bodom?

Alexi Laiho did not willingly depart Children of Bodom, which split in late 2019 following a farewell tour. Alexi Laiho and his comrades Henkka Seppälä and Jaska Raatikainen announced the band’s demise in a statement, citing a “unanimous decision” to disband the band after “many years of wonderful concerts and experiences.”

However, there were allegations of animosity between Alexi Laiho and his former comrades after the band’s separation. Henkka Seppälä indicated in an early 2021 interview with the Finnish music magazine Soundi that there were “musical disagreements” between Alexi and the rest of the band that contributed to the decision to disband the band, as well as personal concerns that made it impossible to continue working together. However, it’s important to note that this was only one side of the story, and without input from Alexi Laiho or other band members, it’s impossible to completely comprehend the reasons for the dissolution.

9. Did Alexi Laiho Have A Child?

Alexi Laiho did have a daughter, Milla Laiho, who was born in 2013. Milla’s mother is Alexi’s ex-partner, Kimberly Goss, a musician who was a member of the band Sinergy. Alexi Laiho was considered to be a reclusive guy who rarely discussed his personal life in public, but he was said to be a dedicated father to Milla. Many fans and members of the metal world offered their condolences to Milla and his family following his death, and his legacy as a skilled musician and loving father is still being cherished by his fans and colleagues.