NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Alexi Laiho

Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho (born Markku Uula Aleksi Laiho) is the lead guitarist in the bands Children of Bodom (where he is also the vocalist), Sinergy and Kylähullut. He has also played with Thy Serpent and Impaled Nazarene on occasion, in addition to Warmen. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 323 Ã— 599 pixels Full resolution (595 Ã— 1104 pixel, file size: 512 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Alexi Laiho ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Founded 1972 Province Southern Finland Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki Area - Of which land - Rank 528 kmÂ² 312 kmÂ² ranked 279th Population - Density - Change - Rank 229,443 (2005) 729 inh. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Melodic death metal, (also referred to as Gothenburg metal, melodeath, and post-death) is a subgenre of death metal. ... Power metal is a style of heavy metal music typically with the aim of evoking an epic feel, combining characteristics of traditional metal with thrash metal or speed metal, often within symphonic context. ... This article is about the musical genre. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... Lead guitar refers to a role within a band, that provides melody or melodic material, as opposed to the rhythm of the rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 1993. ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Spinefarm Records is a Helsinki, Finland based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. ... For nuclear detonations, see nuclear explosion. ... Century Media Records is an independant metal record label with offices in the USA, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Sinergy is a power/speed metal supergroup from Finland, formed in an effort to present a balls-out female-fronted metal band to the world, by American vocalist Kimberly Goss, who was keyboarding for Dimmu Borgir at the time, and In Flames lead guitarist Jesper StrÃ¶mblad in 1998. ... KylÃ¤hullut is a Finnish punk rock band consisting of Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), Tonmi Lillman (ex-To/Die/For), and Vesku Jokinen (Klamydia). ... Impaled Nazarene is a Finnish black metal band that incorporates elements from thrash metal, hardcore punk and grindcore. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... Sinergy is a power/speed metal supergroup from Finland, formed in an effort to present a balls-out female-fronted metal band to the world, by American vocalist Kimberly Goss, who was keyboarding for Dimmu Borgir at the time, and In Flames lead guitarist Jesper StrÃ¶mblad in 1998. ... KylÃ¤hullut is a Finnish punk rock band consisting of Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), Tonmi Lillman (ex-To/Die/For), and Vesku Jokinen (Klamydia). ... Thy Serpent in 2000 Thy Serpent is a black metal band from Espoo, Finland. ... Impaled Nazarene is a Finnish black metal band that incorporates elements from thrash metal, hardcore punk and grindcore. ... Warmen is a Finnish progressive metal/neo-classical metal band assembled by keyboard player Janne Viljami Wirman - also known as Warman. ...

Biography

Born April 8, 1979 in the city of Espoo, Finland , Alexi began his musical training at the age of five by learning the piano and switching to the violin at the age of seven. However, influenced by the music his older sister Anna listened to (heavy metal bands such as W.A.S.P., Poison and Stone), he ended up dropping the classical instrument at the age of 11, in favor of guitars. A taped live performance of Steve Vai's song "For the Love of God" (from the Passion and Warfare album) was especially influential in Alexi's decision to become a guitarist. He soon began taking lessons at the Finnish Pop & Jazz Conservatory in order to study the instrument, at which he also studied the piano. The development of his playing style was heavily influenced by Stone's Roope Latvala (who many years later became his band-mate in Sinergy and then in Children of Bodom). Other guitarists who influenced his sound were Zakk Wylde, Dimebag Darrell, Slash, Jeff Waters, Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Paul Gilbert. His vocal influences came mostly from Phil Anselmo (from Pantera) and Mille Petrozza (from Kreator). April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Founded 1972 Province Southern Finland Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki Area - Of which land - Rank 528 kmÂ² 312 kmÂ² ranked 279th Population - Density - Change - Rank 229,443 (2005) 729 inh. ... A short grand piano, with the top up. ... The violin is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. ... â€œHeavy metalâ€ redirects here. ... W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 . ... Poison is an American glam metal band which originally achieved popular success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. ... Stone were a heavy metal band who formed in Helsinki, Finland in the mid-80s. ... Steven Siro Vai (born June 6, 1960 in Carle Place, New York) is a Grammy Award winning guitarist, composer, vocalist, and record producer. ... Passion and Warfare is a 1990 instrumental album from guitarist Steve Vai. ... A short grand piano, with the top up. ... Roope Latvala (born June 25, 1970) is a Finnish guitarist who currently plays with the bands Children of Bodom and Sinergy. ... Zakk Wylde (born Jeffrey Phillip Wiedlandt on January 14, 1967 in Bayonne, New Jersey) is a lead guitarist, pianist, singer and songwriter, best known for his role as founder of Black Label Society and guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. ... â€œDimebagâ€ redirects here. ... Saul Hudson (born July 23, 1965), more widely known as Slash, is an English/American guitarist best known as the former lead guitarist of Guns N Roses and as the current lead guitarist of Velvet Revolver. ... Jeff Waters (born February 13, 1966), is the guitarist and mastermind of the thrash metal band Annihilator. ... Yngwie Johann Malmsteen (IPA pronunciation: //) (born Lars Johann Yngve LannerbÃ¤ck on June 30, 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish guitarist, composer and bandleader. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Paul Brandon Gilbert (November 6, 1966) is a guitarist best known for his work with Racer X and Mr. ... Philip Hansen Anselmo (born June 30, 1968 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a heavy metal vocalist and musician, currently performing with Down. ... For other uses, see Pantera (disambiguation). ... Miland Mille Petrozza (born December 18, 1966) is a German guitarist and singer. ... Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany. ...

Early career

After taking part of an experimetal music band named T.O.L.K. with friends from the conservatory, Alexi founded in 1993 the black/neo-classical metal band IneartheD together with drummer Jaska Raatikainen and then-bassist Samuli Miettinen, IneartheD became Children of Bodom when Alexi supposedly quit the band and formed a "new" band in order to escape an ongoing contract and sign with Spinefarm Records. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of the heavy metal music very influenced by classical music in its style of playing and composing. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Spinefarm Records is a Helsinki, Finland based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. ...

At the age of sixteen, Alexi quit school in order to be able to dedicate himself fully to Children of Bodom. In 1997 he joined Thy Serpent, but did not remain for enough time in the band to record an album. For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

With the release of Children of Bodom's debut Something Wild missing the Top 40 in the Finnish chart at #44, the band played a concert with Impaled Nazarene in Russia, and Alexi was invited to join the latter band as a lead guitarist. Alexi joined Impaled Nazarene and remained with them until 2001, but never held much interest in the band. Something Wild is a musical album released in 1997 by Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ...

Later career

In 1999, Alexi was invited to join Sinergy by Kimberly Goss, as the lead guitarist and support keyboard player. In 2001, Roope Latvala joined Sinergy, and a "master against disciple" situation was created, resulting in several guitar battles on the solos of Sinergy's songs. This article is about the year. ... Sinergy is a power/speed metal supergroup from Finland, formed in an effort to present a balls-out female-fronted metal band to the world, by American vocalist Kimberly Goss, who was keyboarding for Dimmu Borgir at the time, and In Flames lead guitarist Jesper StrÃ¶mblad in 1998. ... Kimberly Goss (born February 15, 1978, Los Angeles, California) is the vocalist and founding member of the Finnish-based heavy metal band Sinergy. ...

Alexi was a guest musician on a song by To/Die/For ("In the Heat of the Night") and on a few songs by Norther, he also co-produced the debut album of the band Griffin, all between 2001 and 2002. To/Die/For is a Finnish Gothic metal band from the town of Kouvola, assembled in 1999. ... Norther is a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland whose style incorporates elements of heavy metal, black metal and power metal. ... Griffin is a metal band from Norway. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

In September of 2002, Alexi's custom Jackson guitars (one of them bearing the famous "Wildchild" sticker) were stolen by an unidentified thief while he was asleep with Latvala after a night partying with the other members of the band after a horrible concert. Alexi needed new instruments, but Jackson had just been sold to the Fender Musical Instrument Company and wouldn't be able to build a custom guitar for Alexi for at least one year. ESP Guitars, however, told Alexi they could build a replacement in three months, and he signed with the company. The Jackson logo Jackson is a guitar manufacturer originally owned and operated by Grover Jackson, a partner of Wayne Charvel of Charvel Guitar Repair. ... ESP Company, Limited ), located in North Hollywood, California, is a prominent manufacturer of electric guitars and basses, originally from Japan. ...

In 2004, Alexi founded a side-project called Kylähullut, which was assembled together with Tommi Lillman (ex-Sinergy) and Vesa Jokinen (from Klamydia). The band was created merely for the entertainment of the musicians, and takes a carefree approach to their music. The band's discography includes a 4-track EP and a full-length 12-song album. Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... KylÃ¤hullut is a Finnish punk rock band consisting of Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), Tonmi Lillman (ex-To/Die/For), and Vesku Jokinen (Klamydia). ... Vesa Vesku Jokinen is the lead singer in Finnish punkrock band Klamydia, which hails from Vaasa on the Finnish west coast. ... Klamydia(finnish for Chlamydia) is a Finnish punk rock band from the town of Vaasa, assembled in 1988 by Vesa Vesku Jokinen. ...

Alexi's life is dedicated almost entirely to music, and whenever he is not on tour with one of his bands, he is playing video games, drinking, or practicing. His main hobby is cars; he was taught how to drive by his father at the age of 10. Alexi owns a Pontiac Firebird, a 1974 Dodge Monaco and a Buick. In February of 2002 Alexi married Kimberly Goss, front-woman of the band Sinergy, during a private ceremony in Finland. Prior to the marriage, they dated for four years. In 2004 they separated, because — as Alexi put it — "things just weren't working out." They are still married for legal reasons. â€œComputer and video gamesâ€ redirects here. ... </gallery> The Pontiac Firebird was a pony car built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. ... The Dodge Monaco was a full-size automobile built and sold by the Dodge division of the Chrysler Corporation (now DaimlerChrysler) between 1965 to 1978 and 1990 to 1992. ... Buick is a brand of automobile built in the United States, Canada, China and in Spain by General Motors Corporation. ... Kimberly Goss (born February 15, 1978, Los Angeles, California) is the vocalist and founding member of the Finnish-based heavy metal band Sinergy. ...

More than once, Alexi has referred to his band-mates as "probably the only real friends I ever had" or saying "Those motherfuckers aren't my friends...They are my brothers.". He has the letters "COBHC" (Children of Bodom Hate Crew) tattooed on his hand as an homage to Ozzy Osbourne, who has a similar tattoo with the letters O-Z-Z-Y. A couple of fans from across the world have reproduced the tattoo on their hands; a few of the more passionate ones reached the extreme of cutting it directly into their skin with knives and razors. Alexi has been featured on the cover of Young Guitar Magazine several times, as well as being on the cover of Guitar World along with master guitarists Steve Vai and Zakk Wylde. The "Wildchild" nickname comes from a song by the band W.A.S.P.. His first guitar was a Tokai Stratocaster. Ozzy redirects here. ... Young Guitar Magazine is a popular Japanese guitar magazine which is respected by musicians from around the world for its seriousness and dedication to cover only music that is considered pure heavy metal and rock n roll. ... Two issues of Guitar World featuring Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix on the covers, and the accompanying CDs (May 2005, October 2005) Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. ... Steven Siro Vai (born June 6, 1960 in Carle Place, New York) is a Grammy Award winning guitarist, composer, vocalist, and record producer. ... Zakk Wylde (born Jeffrey Phillip Wiedlandt on January 14, 1967 in Bayonne, New Jersey) is a lead guitarist, pianist, singer and songwriter, best known for his role as founder of Black Label Society and guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. ... W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 . ... A Tokai Guitar Tokai Guitars Company Ltd. ... A Fender Stratocaster with rosewood fingerboard and three-tone sunburst finish. ...

In April of 2005 Alexi generated a considerable amount of unrest in the metal guitar community when, in an interview with Guitar World magazine, he referred to popular prog metal act Dream Theater as "super lame" going on to say "It's not even music; it's sports." The magazine also referred to Dream Theater as Laiho's "favorite whipping boys." In January 2006 issue of the same magazine, reader Brad Bailey asked "Why did you make those lame comments about Dream Theater in GW? You're a fine player, but comments like those just make people lose respect for you. Did you know it caused a big stir?" to which Laiho responded "Fuck. Well, apparently it did. First of all, I think it's really funny that people trash bands and musicians every day on the internet, and nobody gives a shit. But once you say something like that - which wasn't even too bad - in a magazine, all of a sudden you're the biggest dick on the earth. But truthfully, I don't know why I said that. I was having a bad day or something. Obviously, John Petrucci is a better player than I am and it isn't my place to talk shit about him." Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band comprising James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy. ... John Petrucci (born July 12, 1967, Kings Park, Long Island, New York) is an American guitarist best known as a founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. ...

Guitar endorsements

In January 2003, ESP Guitars announced a line of Alexi Laiho Signature Models. The US version guitars are a slightly different shape than what Alexi usually plays, as the RV shape is a copyrighted Jackson shape. So to avoid a lawsuit, ESP made the bottom horn slightly larger and also put in a cut-away to get to the lower frets. Another difference, to the dismay of Alexi's fans is the use of solid black or yellow pintripes on the paint finish instead of his traditional pinstriped design which ESP have replicated for his guitars. The guitar comes in two finishes: black w/yellow stripe and white w/black stripe. The guitar has a neck-thru 25.5” design, using a 3-pc maple neck with a 24-fret ebony fingerboard and pearl saw-tooth inlays, although Alexi on his own guitar has custom scythe inlays on some of his white guitars. The ESP Alexi includes white binding on neck and head, the ESP custom shop version comes with a natural maple neck while the LTD is painted, and it comes with professional-quality components including a Floyd Rose original tremolo, Gotoh tuners, and a single EMG HZ H-4 pickup. As of 2007, a cheaper model (the Alexi- 200) is also available, in either solid black or white finish. It's a bolt on, 25.5" Scale with the body made out of basswood, with a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. It features a Floyd Rose Licensed bridge and one EMG-ESP LH-300 bridge pickup. There is also a Limited Edition Alexi signature guitar (the ESP Alexi-600SE) which is black and pink. ESP Company, Limited ), located in North Hollywood, California, is a prominent manufacturer of electric guitars and basses, originally from Japan. ... Floyd Rose Original Floyd Rose is the organization that licenses, distributes and manufactures the Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo invented by Floyd D. Rose. ... EMG-85: one of the most popular active EMG pickups EMG, Inc. ...

Technical

Equipment

Current ESP Custom Shop Guitars This article is about the guitar manufacturer. ... The Jackson Randy Rhoads was the signature electric guitar model of guitarist Randy Rhoads, and is now produced by Jackson Guitars. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Stone were a heavy metal band who formed in Helsinki, Finland in the mid-80s. ... Roope Latvala (born June 25, 1970) is a Finnish guitarist who currently plays with the bands Children of Bodom and Sinergy. ... The Jackson Randy Rhoads was the signature electric guitar model of guitarist Randy Rhoads, and is now produced by Jackson Guitars. ...

When Jackson was sold to Fender, Alexi was told that it would take one year for him to have a new custom guitar made. In comparison, ESP offered a deal that would take only three months, so he switched his endorsement to ESP. Alexander Kuoppala and Henkka Blacksmith also changed their endorsement. The Jackson logo Jackson is a guitar manufacturer originally owned and operated by Grover Jackson, a partner of Wayne Charvel of Charvel Guitar Repair. ... It has been suggested that Fender Amplifier History be merged into this article or section. ... ESP Company, Limited ), located in North Hollywood, California, is a prominent manufacturer of electric guitars and basses, originally from Japan. ... Alexander Kuoppala (born April 11, 1974) was the rhythm guitarist from the band Children of Bodom from 1995 to 2003. ... Henri Blacksmith SeppÃ¤lÃ¤ is the bassist from the band Children of Bodom. ...

Alexi has five ESP RV guitars with these specifications in common: All Neck-thru Alder Bodies, Maple necks with White Bindings, 25.5 scale, 24 fret Ebony fretboards, Original Floyd Rose Tremolo systems, single volume control pots and mini switches (each have one for the active electronics except the XXX guitar), Gotoh tuners, single EMG Humbuckers in bridge positions (which he has recently replaced with Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackouts), MM04 or Jackson JE-1000 active gainboost electronics. Seymour Duncan is a company that is most famous for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. ...

... Peavey may refer to: peavey tool, A logging tool used to move timber Hartley Peavey, the founder of the Peavey Electronics Corportation. ... ENGL is a German company that makes high end tube amplifiers for electric guitars. ...

Tunings

Something Wild is a musical album released in 1997 by Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. ... Hatebreeder is the second album from the Finnish metal band Children of Bodom. ... Follow The Reaper is the third album by the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. ... I love Kelly Bob!!=]* Hate Crew Deathroll is the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodoms fourth album, which was released under the Century Media label. ... Dropped C tuning: CGCFAD, also known as simply as drop C, is a guitar tuning style in which the lowest (sixth) string is tuned down two tone (dropped) to C rather than E as in standard tuning (EADGBE). ... I love Kelly Bob!!=]* Hate Crew Deathroll is the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodoms fourth album, which was released under the Century Media label. ... Are You Dead Yet? is the fifth album by the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. ...

Discography

With Children of Bodom

Something Wild is the debut album by the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, released in 1997. ... Hatebreeder is the second album from the Finnish metal band Children of Bodom. ... Tokyo Warhearts is a live album by the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom which was recorded on the year of 1999, when the band only had two albums released. ... Follow The Reaper is the third album by the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. ... I love Kelly Bob!!=]* Hate Crew Deathroll is the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodoms fourth album, which was released under the Century Media label. ... Trashed, Lost & Strungout is an EP released by the melodic death metal band Children of Bodom and Spinefarm Records. ... Are You Dead Yet? is the fifth album by the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. ... Living Dead Beat Sixpounder Silent Night, Bodom Night Hate Me! Were Not Gonna Fall Angels Dont Kill Deadbeats I (drum solo) Bodom After Midnight / Bodom Beach Terror (medley) Follow the Reaper Needled 24/7 Clash of the Booze Brothers (solo battle) In Your Face Hate Crew Deathroll Are...

Singles

Downfall is a single released in 1998 by the melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. ... In Your Face is a single released in 2005 by the melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. ...

With Sinergy

Beware the Heavens is the first album by the power metal band Sinergy, it was released in the year of 1999. ... To Hell and Back is the second album by the progressive metal band Sinergy, it was released in the year of 2000. ... Suicide By My Side is the third album by the power metal band Sinergy, it was released in the year of 2002. ...

With Kylähullut

Keisarinleikkaus (Ceasarean section) is a 4-track EP released in 2004 by the Finnish punk rock band KylÃ¤hullut. ... Turpa TÃ¤ynnÃ¤ (Hammered) is a musical album released in 2005 by the Finnish punk rock band KylÃ¤hullut. ...

With Impaled Nazarene

Guest appearances

Contents