Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho dies suddenly aged 41

The frontman of Finnish band Children of Bodom, Alexi Laiho, has died suddenly at 41 years old.

Fans of the group were in shock at the unexpected news and paid tribute to the musician after hearing of his passing.

Metal band guitarist Laiho had been consistently rated as one of the best guitarists in the world and his death was announced by his co-stars from supergroup Bodom After Midnight.

They released a statement on independent label Napalm Records’ Twitter account which read: “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.”

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The sad news was signed by Laiho’s bandmates Daniel Freyberg, Mitja Toivonen and Waltteri Väyrynen.

Metal fans were saddened by the news and paid tribute to Laiho.

Laiho’s music career featured more than 25 years in Children of Bodom, which he founded in 1993 with Jaska Raatikainen and which he stayed with until they officially broke up at the end of 2019.

The award-winning musician featured in a number of polls rating the world’s best guitarists and metal stars.

He was also the guitarist in Sinergy, The Local Band, and Kylahullut, and had played with Thy Serpent, Impaled Nazarene, and Warmen and Hypocrisy.

In 2020, he formed supergroup Bodom After Midnight and had begun to record music with them which is due to be released posthumously.

At Helsinki Festival in 2015, he had led a group of 100 guitarists in a concert piece he composed.

Laiho was said to have been suffering from long term health issues.

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