Children of Bodom

Phrases like "Black metal", "death metal", "thrash metal", "progressive metal” have been used to describe the uncompromising aggression of the popular Finnish rock group Children of Bodom - all of them depicting a full-on, hardcore band screaming incendiary lyrics over demonic guitars. Formed by childhood friends Alexi Laiho (singer) and Jaska Raatikainen (drummer) in 1993, they were originally called IneartheD and released their first album, Something Wild, in 1997 after changing their name to Children of Bodom (Lake Bodom is near their home in Espoo). Touring Europe to promote it, the band gradually built a dedicated following enhanced by their second album Hatebreeder (1998), including the successful single “Downfall”. However, it was their third album, Follow the Reaper (2000), which really established them as an international force to be reckoned with. The release of Hate Crew Deathroll (2002) triggered their first world tour and consequent breakthrough in the USA. Are You Dead Yet? (2004) saw them incorporating a simpler, more industrial sound. Despite a shoulder injury incapacitating Alexi Laiho, they came back strong in 2007 with Blooddrunk followed by covers album Skeletons in the Closet (2009), which included distinctive versions of tracks by Britney Spears, Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden. They supported their well-reviewed 2013 LP Halo of Blood by touring with Rob Zombie. Longtime rhythm guitarist Roope Latvala exited before 2015’s I Worship Chaos, and 2019’s Hexed would be their last album before the passing of Laiho on December 29, 2020.