Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we salute the modern heroes who carried the torch of virtuosic guitar into a new era. Today, we pay tribute to one of the most revered, influential, and fiercely talented metal guitarists of his generation: the one and only Alexi “Wildchild” Laiho. As the electrifying frontman, lead guitarist, and creative heart of the pioneering Finnish melodic death metal band, Children of Bodom, Alexi was a true force of nature, known for his breathtaking technical skill, his aggressive and unique vocal style, and a charismatic stage presence that was pure rock and roll fire.
The Lake Bodom Sound
The sound that Alexi Laiho forged with Children of Bodom was a unique and powerful fusion of extremes. It combined the speed and harsh, guttural vocals of death and black metal with the powerful riffs, melodic sensibilities, and soaring guitar harmonies of traditional heavy metal and power metal. A key element of their sound was the prominent use of keyboards, which often played intricate, harmonized lines with the guitar, creating a rich, neo-classical, and almost baroque texture that became a signature of their style.
As a frontman, Alexi was a rare talent, seamlessly handling the dual duties of delivering his aggressive, raspy vocals while simultaneously executing incredibly complex and demanding lead guitar parts. He was the complete package: a brilliant composer, a phenomenal guitarist, and a true, larger-than-life rock star.
Anatomy of a Reaper
The legend of Alexi Laiho is built on a foundation of phenomenal, world-class guitar technique. He was a true modern shredder who brought the virtuosic fire of the ’80s masters into the heavier, more aggressive context of ’90s and 2000s metal.
Virtuosic Technique: He had absolute command over the entire shred vocabulary. His alternate picking was blistering, precise, and relentless. He was a master of clean, lightning-fast sweep-picked arpeggios, often based on diminished and minor patterns that gave his solos their signature neo-classical flavour.
Aggressive Phrasing: His playing was pure, unadulterated attitude. His solos were full of aggressive, wide vibrato, screaming pinch harmonics, and wild whammy bar abuse, all delivered with a punk rock sense of abandon.
His choice of gear was as sharp and aggressive as his playing. He is forever associated with his iconic V-shaped guitars, and his long and famous partnership with ESP Guitars produced many of his signature models, often adorned with his signature pinstripes or a “scythe” graphic.
A crucial element of his searing tone was his unique pickup and preamp combination.
He often used a single passive humbucker (like an EMG-HZ) paired with an onboard active boost circuit. This allowed him to hit the front of his amplifier with an incredibly strong signal, creating a super-tight, articulate, and screaming high-gain tone. For amplification, he was a long-time devotee of Marshall amplifiers, using models like the JCM800 and JVM series to produce his classic, cutting, and aggressive British metal sound.
Essential Laiho: The Hate Crew Hymns
Alexi Laiho’s discography with Children of Bodom is a masterclass in modern melodic death metal and virtuosic guitar playing. To understand his incredible impact, these three tracks are absolutely essential.
“Downfall”
A true anthem from their legendary Hatebreeder album, “Downfall” is the quintessential Children of Bodom track. It features an iconic and unforgettable keyboard and guitar harmony intro, a powerful and driving riff, and a perfectly constructed, blazing neo-classical solo that showcases Alexi’s incredible speed and melodic genius.
“Are You Dead Yet?”
Showcasing a more modern, groovier, and brutally heavy side of the band, this track is pure, distilled aggression. The riff is simple but crushing, and the solo is a perfect example of Alexi’s signature attitude, filled with wild whammy bar dives, screaming harmonics, and pure, unadulterated fire.
“Everytime I Die”
This slower, more atmospheric track from the classic Follow the Reaper album demonstrates the incredible melodic depth behind the aggression. Alexi’s solo is not just a display of speed but a beautifully composed and incredibly emotional statement, full of soulful bends and a memorable, haunting melody, proving he was a complete and versatile musician.
Alexi Laiho was one of the most important and influential metal guitarists of his generation, a true guitar hero for the new millennium. His tragic and untimely passing left a massive void in the music world, but his legacy is immortal. He brought a new level of technical virtuosity and rock star charisma to extreme metal, and through his incredible body of work, the spirit of the “Wildchild” will forever live on.
Cover Photo Credit “Alexi Laiho en plein effort.” by mzagerp is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
