COB Interviews
- Thread starter COBHC Webmaster
- Start date
MadYarpen
Member
- Feb 24, 2008
- 217
- 18
- 18
Indeed, instead they sit and think "ok guys, now what did Joonas say is the best for this band?"
predator2353
Member
- Mar 1, 2010
- 899
- 14
- 28
Well it's a forum. Everyone can express his opinion. Shit, if the albums don't sell well, then they'll pay enough attention to their fans. Just like RRF, the album was crap, nothing can change that, and what did they do? "Well yeah, the album sounds nordic, black metalish, kinda like our old albums", because that's what people want to hear
predator2353
Member
- Mar 1, 2010
- 899
- 14
- 28
Well, or get bad reviews, you know what I mean. People are always gonna compare it to the old stuff.
nunofrg
Member
- Dec 23, 2009
- 542
- 8
- 18
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazi..._Bodoms_Alexi_Laiho_Fast_and_Slow.aspx?Page=1
alexi stopped using the lee jackson, lacks on low end for his needs..
alexi stopped using the lee jackson, lacks on low end for his needs..
razor001666
been where, done what?
sleeper666
MetalMutha
Thanks!
------------------
Edit: I have a slight problem with the article calling Alexi 'newly-rehabilitated', because if he's still drinking, there's no way he's solved his alcohol problem (and what he's describing definitely sounds like straight-out alcoholism to me.)
Otherwise it's an interesting piece.
------------------
Edit: I have a slight problem with the article calling Alexi 'newly-rehabilitated', because if he's still drinking, there's no way he's solved his alcohol problem (and what he's describing definitely sounds like straight-out alcoholism to me.)
Otherwise it's an interesting piece.
<Arcane>
Active Member
I can confirm it. He really said "dissolving". The translation is correct. I wonder why you of all people don't get. Aren't you actually a specialist for weird phrases, metaphors and stuff? You describe everything by heart, with colors, trees and lakes, often with no logic behind it but now you really don't get it?
Dissolving into a cloud of red smoke doesn't have any emotion or logic in it, it's just... weird. It's not even a metaphor. When someone dies he doesn't turn into red smoke, unless he's being pushed into engine driven ripper blades. If the song is about someone's liver giving away for too much booze then it's a weird metaphor. I don't know how his friend died tho, it was probably something more spectacular and I don't mean to insult... my friend did leave a stain of blood and died in a mythical and spectacular fashion... I guess Alexi's just really good with these idioms and sayings. Blue moon is also one of them, once every blue moon... but it serves also as a cool fantasy metaphor in the song title.
I don't know how his friend died tho, it was probably something more spectacular and I don't mean to insult... my friend did leave a stain of blood and died in a mythical and spectacular fashion... I guess Alexi's just really good with these idioms and sayings. Blue moon is also one of them, once every blue moon... but it serves also as a cool fantasy metaphor in the song title.
Marowak
Member
- Sep 19, 2012
- 207
- 0
- 16
Don't think this one has been posted yet.
http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=91925
http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=91925
Ok, this cycle again. All the same questions in every interview, all the same answers. People just google out what other interviewers asked, and ask the same. Alexi knows this and gives the same answers. Same thing with every new album.
It's amazing how they're bringing out all the elements with this album, the music and artwork that would've made me melt with excitement. It's just I wrote down all those things here for several times and this time they've all come true. I told them with these solutions they'd do the biggest favour to themselves and the fans, so I'm happy Alexi finally woke up after years of slumber and remembered WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT with this band's music and art. It seems this album could be another iconic album like Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper.
Let's hear the rest of the songs now... can they keep up the level of the two songs we've heard...
It's amazing how they're bringing out all the elements with this album, the music and artwork that would've made me melt with excitement. It's just I wrote down all those things here for several times and this time they've all come true. I told them with these solutions they'd do the biggest favour to themselves and the fans, so I'm happy Alexi finally woke up after years of slumber and remembered WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT with this band's music and art. It seems this album could be another iconic album like Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper.
Let's hear the rest of the songs now... can they keep up the level of the two songs we've heard...
Marowak
Member
- Sep 19, 2012
- 207
- 0
- 16
Considering the amount of press he gets bombarded with every album release, I can't say I blame him for giving out "stock" answers. It's boring as hell, but that's just how it is.
He said in the interview I posted that he just wants it to be out. I think that's the ultimate feeling we all have. We just want to hear the damn thing.
He said in the interview I posted that he just wants it to be out. I think that's the ultimate feeling we all have. We just want to hear the damn thing.
Yeah, well. The Japanese already have descriptions of all the songs in a mag. But there's not even hope of getting it translated; the cultural and language barrier is too high.
Dissolving into a cloud of red smoke doesn't have any emotion or logic in it, it's just... weird. It's not even a metaphor. When someone dies he doesn't turn into red smoke, unless he's being pushed into engine driven ripper blades. If the song is about someone's liver giving away for too much booze then it's a weird metaphor.
Maybe it doesn't have any logic to it because it's something he was dreaming.....
sleeper666
MetalMutha
http://www.metalpaths.com/interviews/2013/05/20/interview-children-of-bodom-henkka-blacksmith/
Interview: Children Of Bodom (Henkka Blacksmith)
Posted on May 20, 2013
We are happy that we can still make the music as we want to and nobody is giving us orders on how to make the music. We just make the music as weve always done, 15 years ago.
Roughly a month before the release of Halo Of Blood, Metalpaths had the chance to chat with bassist Henkka Blacksmith from Children Of Bodom. New album, new label, touring, Metallica, covers, photo books and applications, everything is in here just a few days before the release of their brand new and very promising record by Stella Papaspyropoulou
Hello Henkka! How have you been?
Ive been good. I came today at the Nuclear Blast office to do some interviews and a few weeks ago we did a music video and a couple of months ago we finished our album
children-of-bodom-interview-3Nice! So, you are about to release your 8th album now. Can you tell me a few words about it? How would you say it compares to your previous albums?
Well, everything was done in the same way as always, so in a way it doesnt differ at all. But it really does, because being part of the songs for half a year and growing with the songs, really get to know them so well that you dont really know how they actually sound like outside. But I remember there were a couple of times when I was really surprised; theres one very sad song and then a very slow song, like slower than anything weve ever done before. Those are the surprising ones, they are my favorite ones.
It will be interesting to hear a slow song from you!
Yeah! Weve always had one slow song, but this is even slower. I really like it!
If Im not mistaken, Jaska has described the new material as dark and a little blackish. Would you agree with that?
Yeah, many of the songs have a really dark and black metal vibe going on. I agree, but its not all the songs like that, just some of them.
I found very funny what he said, because it was something like you were waiting Alexi to turn up in corpsepaint.
Yeah (laughs). Some of the songs, like the title-track Halo Of Blood, are quite fast. It sounds like old Norwegian black metal a little bit. And then we were just laughing at the idea that Alexi would come with corpsepaint. But he didnt.
I had the chance to listen only a few riffs in the trailer you released on YouTube, but from the little I heard I think it goes back a bit to Hatebreeder.
children-of-bodom-interview-2
Ive heard from a couple of people the same. I dont know
Well have to wait and listen to the whole thing.
Yeah, yeah. I heard that many people like the Hatebreeder album, so thats a good thing!
I read that in Halo Of Blood will be featuring a guest appearance of Jeff Waters. Can you tell me a bit about this?
Yeah. He did one solo for the album. I think Alexi played in one of his records earlier so then they were just joking that he has to play at one point for ours as well. And this time he did it! He played a solo for one track. I havent heard it though.
Another thing now. For many years you were with Spinefarm Records and last June you sighed with Nuclear Blast, which is one of the biggest metal labels. How is that going for you?
Its going really well so far! Our early, first three albums were licensed through Nuclear Blast, so weve been working with these guys before and this is actually how everything started. Thats how we got into Europe and so on. We know these guys and now that our record deal with Universal is over, we just checked our options and we found out that Nuclear Blast is the best for us. The new album isnt even out, but were very happy with the guys, so were looking forward to get this thing going.
Cool! I would like you to tell me a few things about the artwork, really. The truth is that I was waiting a long time for a white cover.
Ive been waiting for the white one too and finally we managed to have one. We went back to Sami Saramäki who has done our Follow The Reaper, Hate Crew Deathroll and Are you Dead Yet? covers. He made the cover just like we wanted and we are really happy and were happy that people like it, too.
Yeah, its really nice! I like that it looks like its snowy, like a lake actually
Yeah! Lake Bodom in the wintertime.
Last year you had your 15th anniversary and you did a tour. I would like to ask you, looking back at your career, what do you think stands out more?
I dont know I mean theres the tour with Slayer; thats one of the biggest dreams of every heavy metal musician I guess. We did a couple of times a headline in Open Air, which was amazing. These are the things that stand out from the rest of the stuff. But to be able to do it for so long, its quite amazing, and with almost the same line-up.
children-of-bodom-2013
That was my next question actually, cause youve been in Children Of Bodom from the start. How do you feel the band and you life have changed in all this time?
Well, all my life has been this. I was 14 when I joined the band, so it is quite much. It has affected my life a lot. I cant even imagine how my life would be without the band, Ive been growing with the band all this time. But how the band has changed I dont know Maybe everything is just more organized I would say, now that theres a big label and a lot of business behind. We are happy that we can still make the music as we want to and nobody is giving us orders on how to make the music. We just make the music as weve always done, 15 years ago. Maybe the only difference is that we have more schedules.
Last year you also participated for the first time in 70000 Tons Of Metal. Can you tell me your impressions of that cruise?
children-of-bodom-interview-5
I think it was fun! Its 4 days, 20 bands or maybe more, 3 or 4 stages and everybody plays twice on different stages. And there were a lot of bands from Finland, so there were many friends there. I like the fun and the Caribbean weather, so I was just hanging out there, went to see other bands, hang out with friends. I had a lot of fun!
Would you do it again?
I would do it again, yeah.
As far as touring is concerned, these recent years you are going through a very good period in your career. Youve been to many places and youve participated in huge summer festivals, but what do you prefer? The festivals or smaller clubs?
Both of them are good sights, of course, but still I would go for small shows, because I just love the intense feeling, the atmosphere, people are closer to you and you can see their faces; its more interactional with the fans I would say. I would choose small ones, but then festivals are cool, theres lot of people, and you usually meet a lot of other bands, too.
If you had the chance to play with any band, which band would you choose?
Metallica!
Lets jump to another issue now. Last summer you released a photo book, which was a real candy for your fans. How did you come up with this idea?
We had a photographer with us for some time and then we just talked with him and said that we should make a photo book one day. And then he kept coming on our tours for a couple of years. I think photo books are always cool. Of course it had to be done in a nice way and last year we finally made it in a real book and now its still out for sale. Everybody who doesnt have it can check from hatecrew.com.
children-of-bodom-interview-4
And about the Mobile Backstage? How did you organize that?
Our management approached us with this application thats kind like a fan set community and we decided to go for it! Its quite easy to handle. I think its fun. Sometimes, when we are not on tour, its tricky to update. But always when on tour, with stuff to talk about, its easier to update. And lately, Ive been putting these interviews in there, which are really popular I guess.
Do you believe that this is the future of interacting with the fans? Instead of the old message boards and the newsletter?
I dont know if its the future, but its definitely part of the future. Now Mobile Backstage is quite easy because there are so many people. Its easier to interact. In a way it is a message board, its just in application form. I like these things.
If I remember correctly, you are in charge of updating the Mobile Backstage?
Im not in charge but Ive been helping.
So, a little bit about the covers. You do crazy covers! One of my personal favorites is the Credence Clearwater Revival.
Thats my favorite!
How do you choose them?
Its hard to choose them. Everybody just brings some ideas here and there and we try to figure out whats the least difficult to do or the impossible to do. It is difficult. We never have enough ideas.
Have you ever considered doing a cover that the fans maybe proposed?
We actually did this for the Japanese Burn magazine. The readers of the magazine get to vote which track we should do for the Japanese edition. And then we did it!
Which one was it?
Its the Loudness song Crazy Nights
If Im not mistaken, you study Political Science at the University of Helsinki?
children-of-bodom-interview-6
Yeah, Political History. I graduated last summer!
Congratulation!
Thank you! Thank you!
Was it difficult for you to combine the band and the studies?
Not really. Well, of course it took more time for me to graduate, than the other people. But it wasnt a problem, it was more like a hobby anyway, a change from the touring life.
Well, now that you are about to release Halo Of Blood, I guess that a tour is in order? What are your next plans?
Our next plans are to do a lot of interviews this week. Then we go to some festivals in June and in the States to do the Mayhem Fest tour. Then we come back to Europe and were gonna do a full headlining European tour in October-November.
Will we have the chance to see you in Greece?
I think there is a show in Athens. Maybe there might be a second show, but Im not really sure.
Ive been in the one you did in 2011 and it was crazy!
Yeah I remember! It was really crazy! I hope its gonna be the same.
I hope, too! Well, thank you for your time. Do you have anything to say to your fans in Greece and the readers of Metalpaths?
Like you said, the show was crazy last time, so Im really looking forward to come to your country again. Weve been there 4 times and its always been crazy. No matter the financial crisis, we are coming anyway!
Interview: Children Of Bodom (Henkka Blacksmith)
Posted on May 20, 2013
We are happy that we can still make the music as we want to and nobody is giving us orders on how to make the music. We just make the music as weve always done, 15 years ago.
Roughly a month before the release of Halo Of Blood, Metalpaths had the chance to chat with bassist Henkka Blacksmith from Children Of Bodom. New album, new label, touring, Metallica, covers, photo books and applications, everything is in here just a few days before the release of their brand new and very promising record by Stella Papaspyropoulou
Hello Henkka! How have you been?
Ive been good. I came today at the Nuclear Blast office to do some interviews and a few weeks ago we did a music video and a couple of months ago we finished our album
children-of-bodom-interview-3Nice! So, you are about to release your 8th album now. Can you tell me a few words about it? How would you say it compares to your previous albums?
Well, everything was done in the same way as always, so in a way it doesnt differ at all. But it really does, because being part of the songs for half a year and growing with the songs, really get to know them so well that you dont really know how they actually sound like outside. But I remember there were a couple of times when I was really surprised; theres one very sad song and then a very slow song, like slower than anything weve ever done before. Those are the surprising ones, they are my favorite ones.
It will be interesting to hear a slow song from you!
Yeah! Weve always had one slow song, but this is even slower. I really like it!
If Im not mistaken, Jaska has described the new material as dark and a little blackish. Would you agree with that?
Yeah, many of the songs have a really dark and black metal vibe going on. I agree, but its not all the songs like that, just some of them.
I found very funny what he said, because it was something like you were waiting Alexi to turn up in corpsepaint.
Yeah (laughs). Some of the songs, like the title-track Halo Of Blood, are quite fast. It sounds like old Norwegian black metal a little bit. And then we were just laughing at the idea that Alexi would come with corpsepaint. But he didnt.
I had the chance to listen only a few riffs in the trailer you released on YouTube, but from the little I heard I think it goes back a bit to Hatebreeder.
children-of-bodom-interview-2
Ive heard from a couple of people the same. I dont know
Well have to wait and listen to the whole thing.
Yeah, yeah. I heard that many people like the Hatebreeder album, so thats a good thing!
I read that in Halo Of Blood will be featuring a guest appearance of Jeff Waters. Can you tell me a bit about this?
Yeah. He did one solo for the album. I think Alexi played in one of his records earlier so then they were just joking that he has to play at one point for ours as well. And this time he did it! He played a solo for one track. I havent heard it though.
Another thing now. For many years you were with Spinefarm Records and last June you sighed with Nuclear Blast, which is one of the biggest metal labels. How is that going for you?
Its going really well so far! Our early, first three albums were licensed through Nuclear Blast, so weve been working with these guys before and this is actually how everything started. Thats how we got into Europe and so on. We know these guys and now that our record deal with Universal is over, we just checked our options and we found out that Nuclear Blast is the best for us. The new album isnt even out, but were very happy with the guys, so were looking forward to get this thing going.
Cool! I would like you to tell me a few things about the artwork, really. The truth is that I was waiting a long time for a white cover.
Ive been waiting for the white one too and finally we managed to have one. We went back to Sami Saramäki who has done our Follow The Reaper, Hate Crew Deathroll and Are you Dead Yet? covers. He made the cover just like we wanted and we are really happy and were happy that people like it, too.
Yeah, its really nice! I like that it looks like its snowy, like a lake actually
Yeah! Lake Bodom in the wintertime.
Last year you had your 15th anniversary and you did a tour. I would like to ask you, looking back at your career, what do you think stands out more?
I dont know I mean theres the tour with Slayer; thats one of the biggest dreams of every heavy metal musician I guess. We did a couple of times a headline in Open Air, which was amazing. These are the things that stand out from the rest of the stuff. But to be able to do it for so long, its quite amazing, and with almost the same line-up.
children-of-bodom-2013
That was my next question actually, cause youve been in Children Of Bodom from the start. How do you feel the band and you life have changed in all this time?
Well, all my life has been this. I was 14 when I joined the band, so it is quite much. It has affected my life a lot. I cant even imagine how my life would be without the band, Ive been growing with the band all this time. But how the band has changed I dont know Maybe everything is just more organized I would say, now that theres a big label and a lot of business behind. We are happy that we can still make the music as we want to and nobody is giving us orders on how to make the music. We just make the music as weve always done, 15 years ago. Maybe the only difference is that we have more schedules.
Last year you also participated for the first time in 70000 Tons Of Metal. Can you tell me your impressions of that cruise?
children-of-bodom-interview-5
I think it was fun! Its 4 days, 20 bands or maybe more, 3 or 4 stages and everybody plays twice on different stages. And there were a lot of bands from Finland, so there were many friends there. I like the fun and the Caribbean weather, so I was just hanging out there, went to see other bands, hang out with friends. I had a lot of fun!
Would you do it again?
I would do it again, yeah.
As far as touring is concerned, these recent years you are going through a very good period in your career. Youve been to many places and youve participated in huge summer festivals, but what do you prefer? The festivals or smaller clubs?
Both of them are good sights, of course, but still I would go for small shows, because I just love the intense feeling, the atmosphere, people are closer to you and you can see their faces; its more interactional with the fans I would say. I would choose small ones, but then festivals are cool, theres lot of people, and you usually meet a lot of other bands, too.
If you had the chance to play with any band, which band would you choose?
Metallica!
Lets jump to another issue now. Last summer you released a photo book, which was a real candy for your fans. How did you come up with this idea?
We had a photographer with us for some time and then we just talked with him and said that we should make a photo book one day. And then he kept coming on our tours for a couple of years. I think photo books are always cool. Of course it had to be done in a nice way and last year we finally made it in a real book and now its still out for sale. Everybody who doesnt have it can check from hatecrew.com.
children-of-bodom-interview-4
And about the Mobile Backstage? How did you organize that?
Our management approached us with this application thats kind like a fan set community and we decided to go for it! Its quite easy to handle. I think its fun. Sometimes, when we are not on tour, its tricky to update. But always when on tour, with stuff to talk about, its easier to update. And lately, Ive been putting these interviews in there, which are really popular I guess.
Do you believe that this is the future of interacting with the fans? Instead of the old message boards and the newsletter?
I dont know if its the future, but its definitely part of the future. Now Mobile Backstage is quite easy because there are so many people. Its easier to interact. In a way it is a message board, its just in application form. I like these things.
If I remember correctly, you are in charge of updating the Mobile Backstage?
Im not in charge but Ive been helping.
So, a little bit about the covers. You do crazy covers! One of my personal favorites is the Credence Clearwater Revival.
Thats my favorite!
How do you choose them?
Its hard to choose them. Everybody just brings some ideas here and there and we try to figure out whats the least difficult to do or the impossible to do. It is difficult. We never have enough ideas.
Have you ever considered doing a cover that the fans maybe proposed?
We actually did this for the Japanese Burn magazine. The readers of the magazine get to vote which track we should do for the Japanese edition. And then we did it!
Which one was it?
Its the Loudness song Crazy Nights
If Im not mistaken, you study Political Science at the University of Helsinki?
children-of-bodom-interview-6
Yeah, Political History. I graduated last summer!
Congratulation!
Thank you! Thank you!
Was it difficult for you to combine the band and the studies?
Not really. Well, of course it took more time for me to graduate, than the other people. But it wasnt a problem, it was more like a hobby anyway, a change from the touring life.
Well, now that you are about to release Halo Of Blood, I guess that a tour is in order? What are your next plans?
Our next plans are to do a lot of interviews this week. Then we go to some festivals in June and in the States to do the Mayhem Fest tour. Then we come back to Europe and were gonna do a full headlining European tour in October-November.
Will we have the chance to see you in Greece?
I think there is a show in Athens. Maybe there might be a second show, but Im not really sure.
Ive been in the one you did in 2011 and it was crazy!
Yeah I remember! It was really crazy! I hope its gonna be the same.
I hope, too! Well, thank you for your time. Do you have anything to say to your fans in Greece and the readers of Metalpaths?
Like you said, the show was crazy last time, so Im really looking forward to come to your country again. Weve been there 4 times and its always been crazy. No matter the financial crisis, we are coming anyway!
sleeper666
MetalMutha
sleeper666
MetalMutha
Children of Bodom Frontman Alexi Laiho Talks Halo of Blood, Mayhem Fest + Jeff Hanneman
by Full Metal Jackie May 21, 2013 8:18 AM
Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho was the guest on Full Metal Jackies radio show this past weekend. Laiho spoke all about the bands new disc, Halo of Blood and his songwriting process, as well as how he has grown as a guitarist. He also discussed playing this summers Mayhem Festival and remembering Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman at this years Golden Gods awards. If you missed Full Metal Jackies show, check out her interview with Alexi Laiho below:
Halo of Blood is coming out June 11, a heavy record I must say. You guys have been working on this one for a while so Im sure youre excited that were getting close to having it out there.
Absolutely, weve been working on it forever well it feels like forever so I just want to get the damn thing out there as soon as possible.
Youve ranked on lists of Fastest Guitarists or Best Heavy Metal Guitarists what aspects of your ability requires the most practice or the most work?
Well technique-wise, I guess pretty much everything. The thing is that Ive been practicing all the different techniques for so many years that I pretty much have them down so now its just more like maintenance and concentrating on the musical content of my playing. When I play a solo I want it to be something that compliments the music and serve the music as opposed to showing off showing off is very important too but it cant be all about that. [Laughs]
Alexi, you guys have been on so many different types of tours. Whats your favorite part about doing a festival package?
A festival package is cool, like Mayhem this time around theres so many bands that we did tour with before, years ago so we get to hang out with old friends. Theres a lot of new bands that Ive always wanted to tour with and see live like Rob Zombie, who Ive only seen live once so its super cool to actually tour with him. Just the fact that festivals tend to bring more people out so I guess thats the main aspect.
From the festivals Ive seen you be a part of in the past, Bodom always seems to be the band that gets into a lot of trouble.
[Laughs] Yeah, we used to be like that. I dont know trouble just follows us somehow.
In what ways have you grown as a musician in the two years since the last album and how did that define the direction of Halo of Blood?
Its kind of hard to say how I have grown as a musician or songwriter, as a person not so much. [Laughs] Honestly I like the solos better on this record that I did and songwriting-wise, its really hard to say but what Ive heard from a lot of people is that that theres more old-school Bodom elements in the music that there were on the previous one or on Blooddrunk for example. I guess that goes to show that Im more openminded or something.
Do you go into writing a new album with a new vision or direction of where youd like to go?
No, not at all. Its just when I write music I need to clear my mind and just block everything out of my head just to make sure that the music that comes out is genuine and real.
Is it something where you sit and start writing then it goes where your creativity takes you?
Yeah, its exactly like that. Sometimes I have to just sit around for hours before something happens but thats the way it is. If I start thinking about pleasing a certain type of crowd or what would the press like or the fans like then I would just end up writing stuff thats not genuine and not instantaneous just too thought out and Im not that kind of dude. I need it to be very spontaneous.
It seems fitting that some important people in the metal community were together at the Golden Gods the very day Jeff Hanneman died. What was the camaraderie like that night?
It was pretty intense, it was a weird vibe for sure. On the other hand, it was a good thing everybody was together in the same place when that happened but I got to tell you it was strange because I saw certain Slayer members and I know the guys its like those situations where its like what are you going to say? I knew Jeff but obviously not like they did, so many people that knew him were together that day.
It was surreal. I think we were all sort of in disbelief, even the next day, like wow, this is really real.
Thats the thing, it hasnt really sank in yet.
What can we expect beyond Mayhem from Bodom?
Right after Mayhem we do Japan and right after that we do a full European tour, which is going to be about nine and a half weeks long so thats going to take us pretty much to the end of the year and then after that I dont know. I think we have about a year of nonstop touring which is awesome.
by Full Metal Jackie May 21, 2013 8:18 AM
Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho was the guest on Full Metal Jackies radio show this past weekend. Laiho spoke all about the bands new disc, Halo of Blood and his songwriting process, as well as how he has grown as a guitarist. He also discussed playing this summers Mayhem Festival and remembering Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman at this years Golden Gods awards. If you missed Full Metal Jackies show, check out her interview with Alexi Laiho below:
Halo of Blood is coming out June 11, a heavy record I must say. You guys have been working on this one for a while so Im sure youre excited that were getting close to having it out there.
Absolutely, weve been working on it forever well it feels like forever so I just want to get the damn thing out there as soon as possible.
Youve ranked on lists of Fastest Guitarists or Best Heavy Metal Guitarists what aspects of your ability requires the most practice or the most work?
Well technique-wise, I guess pretty much everything. The thing is that Ive been practicing all the different techniques for so many years that I pretty much have them down so now its just more like maintenance and concentrating on the musical content of my playing. When I play a solo I want it to be something that compliments the music and serve the music as opposed to showing off showing off is very important too but it cant be all about that. [Laughs]
Alexi, you guys have been on so many different types of tours. Whats your favorite part about doing a festival package?
A festival package is cool, like Mayhem this time around theres so many bands that we did tour with before, years ago so we get to hang out with old friends. Theres a lot of new bands that Ive always wanted to tour with and see live like Rob Zombie, who Ive only seen live once so its super cool to actually tour with him. Just the fact that festivals tend to bring more people out so I guess thats the main aspect.
From the festivals Ive seen you be a part of in the past, Bodom always seems to be the band that gets into a lot of trouble.
[Laughs] Yeah, we used to be like that. I dont know trouble just follows us somehow.
In what ways have you grown as a musician in the two years since the last album and how did that define the direction of Halo of Blood?
Its kind of hard to say how I have grown as a musician or songwriter, as a person not so much. [Laughs] Honestly I like the solos better on this record that I did and songwriting-wise, its really hard to say but what Ive heard from a lot of people is that that theres more old-school Bodom elements in the music that there were on the previous one or on Blooddrunk for example. I guess that goes to show that Im more openminded or something.
Do you go into writing a new album with a new vision or direction of where youd like to go?
No, not at all. Its just when I write music I need to clear my mind and just block everything out of my head just to make sure that the music that comes out is genuine and real.
Is it something where you sit and start writing then it goes where your creativity takes you?
Yeah, its exactly like that. Sometimes I have to just sit around for hours before something happens but thats the way it is. If I start thinking about pleasing a certain type of crowd or what would the press like or the fans like then I would just end up writing stuff thats not genuine and not instantaneous just too thought out and Im not that kind of dude. I need it to be very spontaneous.
It seems fitting that some important people in the metal community were together at the Golden Gods the very day Jeff Hanneman died. What was the camaraderie like that night?
It was pretty intense, it was a weird vibe for sure. On the other hand, it was a good thing everybody was together in the same place when that happened but I got to tell you it was strange because I saw certain Slayer members and I know the guys its like those situations where its like what are you going to say? I knew Jeff but obviously not like they did, so many people that knew him were together that day.
It was surreal. I think we were all sort of in disbelief, even the next day, like wow, this is really real.
Thats the thing, it hasnt really sank in yet.
What can we expect beyond Mayhem from Bodom?
Right after Mayhem we do Japan and right after that we do a full European tour, which is going to be about nine and a half weeks long so thats going to take us pretty much to the end of the year and then after that I dont know. I think we have about a year of nonstop touring which is awesome.
