Former Children of Bodom Members Say Alexi Laiho Wouldn’t Have Wanted a Tribute Show
Last year, the metal world was shaken to learn that Alexi Laiho, frontman of high-flying Finnish metal act Children of Bodom, had died at the age of 41. Many musicians have paid tribute to Laiho in various ways, but as of yet, there has not been a tribute show in his honor. And now, in a new interview, former members of Children of Bodom have explained that they don’t think Alexi would’ve wanted one.
Speaking to Chaoszine, as transcribed by Blabbermouth, former CoB members drummer Jaska Raatikainen, bassist Henri “Henkka T. Blacksmith” Seppälä, and keyboard player Janne Wirman were asked about the possibility of an Alexi Laiho tribute concert. Wirman was the first to say he didn’t see it happening:
“Well, it’s a tricky question, and then even the three of us, we have not really discussed about it.
“The way I personally feel about this is Alexi would not like a tribute show. Alexi would like just Children of Bodom playing a show. And even though he would be replaced, which is a really hard thing for us, and it’s a really hard thing in the whole world of heavy metal vocals and guitar playing… I know from experience with Alexi and going to tribute shows and stuff like that that he wouldn’t [want there to be a tribute show for him].
“So, we have no passion to try to put together a tribute show for Alexi. We might play a show someday. Never say never… But for us, it would not feel natural to try to put a [tribute] show together right now.”
Seppälä chimed in, confirming:
“It would be weird to play a tribute show for Alexi. And like [Janne] said, I’m pretty sure that he would want somebody else to be there to play a tribute show for him. It would feel awkward to play a tribute show. I’m not against if some other people play Children of Bodom music for his memory… And every time I see somebody [covering our songs], we always share them because that’s the best thing to do. Alexi’s music will live forever.”
So there you have it: there probably won’t be an Alexi Laiho tribute show, but it’s because Laiho himself wouldn’t have dug it.
Check out the full interview below:
