Children of Bodom book promises to reveal, without filters, the story of the Finnish band that redefined melodic death metal. Keyboardist Janne Wirman confided this information to the website This Day In Metal (transcription via Blabbermouth ). Furthermore, the book, which will be published by the British publisher Rocket 88, features testimonials from the band members themselves—Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä , Jaska Raatikainen , and Alexander Kuoppala —as well as other former members, friends, and close colleagues from the road.
Oral history with memories, laughter and tears.
Structured as an oral history, the book delves into more than three decades of the band's career, spanning from their early days with Alexi Laiho to their final internal conflicts and melancholic end. Finnish author Timo Isoaho , a personal friend of Children of Bodom, conducted the interviews during meetings marked by memories, laughter, and tears.
An honest account of the band's rise and fall.
According to Janne, the goal was to document everything without romanticizing it. Therefore, the focus was on showing both the fun and successful times, as well as the moments when everything fell apart. The work makes it clear that Alexi's addiction emotionally drained the band and caused the collapse of personal and professional relationships within the group.
The book will have two deluxe editions, including one autographed by the band members. Additionally, those who pre-order will have their name printed in the publication, available on the official website .
The final show and the impact of the pandemic.
The decision to tell this story now comes after years of silence since the band's last performance in December 2019. At that time, the atmosphere already showed signs of exhaustion—not only professionally, but also emotionally. For the remaining members, the last show represented a mixture of relief and farewell. Initially, the idea was to hold a world tour to conclude the band's career, but the pandemic interrupted those plans. In the end, the recording of that show—released as the live album A Chapter Called… Children Of Bodom —became the band's last official chapter.
Alexi Laiho's addiction and the band's collapse.
Behind the scenes, the band was facing an unsustainable situation. In 2016, Janne revealed that Alexi called him for a private conversation. At that moment, bluntly, the vocalist and leader of the band said: “I’m going to drink myself to death.” Wirman tried to intervene, but already knew that something had profoundly changed. Laiho repeated this decision in 2018, refusing any form of treatment or medical help. For his friends, it was like watching someone walk towards the end with full awareness.
Even so, the members continued trying to keep the band alive. Alexi even managed to stay sober on some tours, but always relapsed. In 2019, tensions increased when he tried to register the name Children of Bodom on his own, which led to his departure and the sale of his share in the company that managed the band. The separation became inevitable.
Despite everything, Alexi continued exchanging cordial messages with his former colleagues in the following months. However, his health continued to decline. He died in December 2020, a victim of liver failure aggravated by alcohol and medication use. Alexi was only 41 years old.
The family's perspective on Alexi Laiho
His sister, Anna Laiho , was direct when speaking about her brother: although he was a generous person and always ready to help others, he decided to face his demons alone. "He wanted to make his own choices. For good or for bad."
The official Children of Bodom book is more than just a tribute. It presents a raw, painful, and honest account of the highs and lows of one of the greatest bands in Finnish metal history. Thus, it's a fitting farewell to a legacy built on sweat, talent, and tragedy.
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