As previously reported, former CHILDREN OF BODOM frontman Alexi Laiho has launched a new band called BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT. Joining him in the group are guitarist Daniel Freyberg (ex-CHILDREN OF BODOM), drummer Waltteri Väyrynen (PARADISE LOST), bassist Mitja Toivonen (ex-SANTA CRUZ) and touring keyboardist Lauri Salomaa.
Now, in new interview with Kaaos TV (translated from Finnish), Alexi says that he will be performing CHILDREN OF BODOM songs with his new band.
“We will be playing CHILDREN OF BODOM songs as that is what most of the audience want to hear,” he says. “Those songs are written by me anyway, so I don’t see any reason why not to play them. There will be so-called ‘basic’ songs, but there are also plans to play one or two songs live which CHILDREN OF BODOM has never played so far and some songs which we haven’t played live in ages, so the setlist will be a good mix. We try to play as diverse setlist as possible on each show.”
“I am really looking forward getting up on this stage with this band,” Alexi continued. “For me playing live is so big part of my life. Even though there hasn’t been that many months from the last show, it still feels like ages, and I miss playing. If I don’t get to play any shows soon, I will go to some bar and play a blues show. [Laughs]”
The blood in most musicians’ veins would curdle if they all of a sudden learned that the perpetually globe-trotting team they have recorded ten albums with is about to implode. This was the fate staring Laiho straight in the face at a band meeting early last year.
As the assembly was completed, the attendees had reached a unanimous decision: The group known as CHILDREN OF BODOM would cease to exist after a concert at the Helsinki Ice Hall in December 2019. The shutdown process went as planned and the members parted as friends. End of a story that had begun in 1993.
The situation was a new kind of challenge. What went through the mind of the guitarist, songwriter and bandleader who had been continually chosen as the best metal guitarist in the world by the readers’ and experts’ polls of various music magazines and web sites? Laiho brushed the dust off his shoulders and revved up the engines. A new lineup or death! Luckily, he wasn’t alone.
Freyberg crawled through the wreckage to join Laiho in his quest. Committing to a hard-working team was never a problem for him either. But two guitar players do not a group make. It was time to start thinking about who could handle the drums, bass and keyboards. There were many options to choose from. But as Laiho had already witnessed people exit less than elegantly, he wanted to get just the right cohorts.
High-level musicianship, a cool stage presence and a fitting personality were the factors put under the microscope. Finally, the pieces to complete the puzzle were found. And the name for the new lineup? It had been right under Alexi‘s nose all along.
Laiho will lead BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT to play selected festival appearances follow after which band will start working on new material.
BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT tour dates so far are as follows:
June 27 – Tuska Festival – Helsinki, Finland
July 18 – John Smith Rock Festival – Laukaa, Finland
Aug. 15 – Summer Breeze – Dinkelsbühl, Germany
