Over the years, generations have had their rock / metal guitarist that took their playing to an absurd level. All were graced with a talent that allowed them to master their craft way beyond the norm.
For the Silent Generation, there was Jimi Hendrix born in 1942. Repping the Baby Boomers, there was Eddie Van Halen (1955) and Randy Rhoads (1956). Moving into Generation X, there was Darrell Abbott (1966).
Then as the Gen X years were coming to a close as 1980 approached, along came Alexi Laiho (1979).
There are two common denominators in this list. One obviously being what some say were “Guitar Gods.” The other, each has moved onto another realm into the afterlife. Some left unfortunately and others tragically. In doing so, each has left an untouchable legacy.
The latest to depart this place called Earth was Laiho. He did so on December 29, 2020 at his home in Helsinki Finland.
Laiho was best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist and founding member of the melodic death metal band Children of Bodom.
With friction and tensions in the Bodom camp, it was announced CoB would disband after playing their final show on December 15, 2019 in Helsinki. The show was referred to as A Chapter Called Children of Bodom.
A year and two weeks later, Laiho was gone.
Fortunately, the final show concluding CoB’s impressive career was recorded.
This show will be released as a double live album with the support of Laiho’s estate. Appropriately, the title will be A Chapter Called Children of Bodom (Final Show in Helsinki Ice Hall 2019).
The album sees CoB deliver a crushing 18-song set from their two decade career. The band pulls material from their ten studio albums. Of the releases, 2003’s Hate Crew Deathroll saw the most action with “Bodom Beach Terror,” “Angels Don’t Kill,” “Needled 24/7” and the title track.
Three songs from Follow the Reaper, the title track, “Everytime I Die” and “Hate Me” see action.
Something Wild contributes two songs with “Lake Bodom” and “Deadnight Warrior.”
The Hatebreeder album contributes one track with “Downfall. As for Halo of Blood, Are You Dead Yet, Blooddrunk and I Worship Chaos all contribute their title tracks.
That leaves “In Your Face” from Are You Dead Yet? and “Shovel Knockout” from Relentless Reckless Forever.
With the set opener, “Under the Grass and Clove” from 2018’s Hexed, CoB was on fire. For the first time listener to CoB, it will be easy to understand Laiho’s standing and reputation as a guitarist. Once the tone was set in “Under the Grass and Clove,” there was no stopping the CoB machine.
Those in the CoB camp knew this was the band’s final show but they didn’t mail it in. They made sure the complete opposite happened. The energy level from the show is obvious.
Using the term blistering to describe CoB’s delivery is an understatement. The band’s playing is fierce, melodic, tight and highly polished.
For the fans that were there to witness this show were blessed with a night of unbelievable technical death metal. Those who will experience this album for the first time will be highly impressed.
A Chapter Called Children of Bodom is CoB’s bow to the metal world. If there was an album to be a band’s final curtain call, this is it.
The album is document of one night, not over several nights on tour. That’s what makes this Children of Bodom’s live album release that much more impressive.
A Chapter Called Children of Bodom is not an album for the casual listener. Plenty of time needs to be aside to listen from start to finish. This allows the listener to fully experience this magical night of CoB.
A Chapter Called Children of Bodom isn’t a stocking stuffer for the approaching holidays, it’s more of a throat punch. This live album can hold its own on the same shelf as classic live albums of the past.
Laiho may have left this world but he left a legacy of incredible music, riffs and technical abilities. A Chapter Called Children of Bodom punctuates Laiho’s career with an exclamation point.
The album hits the streets on Friday, December 15, 2023 via Spinefarm Records and is currently available as a pre-order in CD and various vinyl formats.
