Sad news today, as Alexi Laiho, the frontman of iconic Finnish metal group Children of Bodom, has died. He was just 41 years old.
Members of supergroup Bodom After Midnight, which also includes former Children of Bodom bandmate Daniel Freyberg, released a statement announcing Laiho’s death overnight.
“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Alexi Laiho,” the statement reads.
“We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken for the sudden loss of our dear friend and band member.”
Statement from Bodom After Midnight:
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Alexi Laiho. We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken for the sudden loss of our dear friend and band member.
Daniel, Mitja & Waltteri pic.twitter.com/AohWJpfnFg
— Napalm Records (@NapalmRecords) January 4, 2021
As reported by Louder Sound, Laiho passed away in his Helsinki home last week. No cause of death has yet been specified, but a statement posted on Facebook by Children of Bodom revealed that Laiho had long been suffering health issues in recent years.
Laiho founded Children of Bodom in 1993, and fronted the band all the way to their dissolution in 2019. From then on, he was a part of Bodom After Midnight.
View some tributes to Laiho below. Rest In Peace.
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. (Official) (@gusgofficial) January 4, 2021
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
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
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
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
