Janne Wirman , longtime keyboardist for Children of Bodom, spoke about the tragic final years of vocalist Alexi Laiho , who died in December 2020 at the age of 41.
In an interview with Chris Akin Presents , the former keyboardist of the Finnish melodic death metal band reflected, without filters, on watching a bandmate and close friend succumb to addiction [transcription via Metal Injection ].
“In 2016, everything went to hell with Alexi. And the remaining time in the band is like watching your friend commit slow suicide. You know, with his addictions, that he shouldn't drink, that he shouldn't do this and that, and he keeps doing it daily, and you're like, 'Damn! This isn't going to end well.' So, it's not fun.”
Janne Wirman continued: “He didn’t want help; he refused our help. So, a grown man who has decided to die because of addiction, you can’t help a person like that. He’s already made up his mind. And I don’t think he wanted to die, but that’s what he was doing. So it’s madness. And you try to help. And he also told me this, and made it very clear that he will never be sober again, and that he will do whatever he has to.”
"Of course, there are things that could have been handled differently, but ultimately, if a grown man decides to die because of addiction, that's what he's going to do. If he's going to refuse all help and has already made up his mind, that's what's going to happen."
Shortly after, he added: “We’re at the very end of 2016 going into 2019. When he told me that, I started making other plans and distancing myself from the band. And it got very confusing. Actually, there’s a book coming out about Bodom that explains everything. But I announced I was leaving the band [around] 2018… So it got very confusing with Alexi. And then better times came. And it was a fucking mess.”
Children of Bodom book
Children Of Bodom will release their self-titled book on August 28th. The book narrates the band's entire history from the perspective of four members: Alexander Kuoppala (guitar), Henkka Seppälä (bass), Jaska Raatikainen (drums), and Janne Wirman (keyboards). The publication is a tribute to the band's journey and to the memory of their vocalist Alexi Laiho, who passed away in 2020.
The book will be available in two versions: the standard edition and the Signature Edition , which includes original autographs from the participating members. Both contain the same information. Pre-orders are now open.
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