Black Clouds Cover The Metal World, Alexi Laiho Dies

JAKARTA - Alexi Laiho, founder and vocalist of the most influential Finnish metal band Children Of Bodom, has died at the age of 41.

Laiho's departure was sadly confirmed by supergroup Bodom After Midnight, which he formed with fellow former Children Of Bodom girl Daniel Freyber.

The band was founded last year after Children Of Bodom ended their existence in 2019.

"It is with very heavy and sad hearts that we announce the departure of Alexi Laiho," the statement read.

"We are completely devastated and heartbroken at the sudden loss of our friends and band members. Daniel, Mitja & Waltteri."

The cause of Laiho's death has not been announced.

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

Laiho was born in Espoo, Finland in 1979 and formed Children Of Bodom with drummer Jaska Raatikainen in 1993 under the name Inearthed.

The band released their phenomenal debut album Something Wild in 1997. With their unique siganture of the melodic death metal genre, the band received a lot of praise.

The album was followed up by Hatebreeder (1999), then followed by the third album Follow The Reaper which set their first gold certified record in Finland.

The next four Children Of Bodom albums topped the charts in Finland. This is what helped secure their status as one of the best-selling bands of all time in the country.

Laiho is also considered as one of the most phenomenal metal guitarists. In a 2016 Total Guitar poll, he was named the greatest guitar player of all time in the genre.

As for Children of Bodom's last album, Hexed, was released in 2019 before the band announced their breakup and played their final show in December of that year.

As a tribute, Swedish guitarist Michael Ammot shared a photo of himself with Laiho together. It says: I'm speechless.

I'm speechless ... RIP Alexi Laiho. #ripalexilaiho #alexilaiho pic.twitter.com/GhtRDguGJH

- 𝕸𝖎𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖊𝖑 𝕬𝖒𝖔𝖙𝖙 (@Michael_Amott) January 4, 2021

Goodbye Alexi Laiho.