Finnish metal band Children of Bodom is one of those acts who have been around for a while (16 years so to speak) and you could probably say that this group fought good and hard for where they are right now. But their success doesn’t just come from pure determination. These guys actually give killer performances, and not forgetting to mention that crafty members, Alexi Laiho, Roope Latvala, Henkka Blacksmith, Janne Warman, and Jaska Raatikainen, have set the bar higher for other metal acts with their no nonsense guitar and keyboard work and techniques that just simply too extraordinary to overlook.
Frontman Alexi Laiho has been praised by Slayer guitarist Kerry King as the generation’s guitar hero and keyboardist Janne Warman have released his fourth album with his progressive side project, Warmen. In other words, these guys have made their mark and are believed by international metal magazines as unstoppable. And with their seventh album (which is also a cover album), Skeletons in the Closet, out just last September, fans can’t help but think that Children of Bodom is preparing something big.

Being a Children of Bodom listener since day one, I considered myself one lucky fan when I was able to hang out with the band before their show in the famous Pipeline Cafe in Honolulu. And no, there were no wild parties or booze-drinking fest before the show. The band is actually incredibly disciplined. Alexi, Roope, and Jaska warmed up for almost two hours straight while waiting for the local front act to finish. It’s actually unbelievable to see the band to be back on tour so soon after Alexi broke his shoulder in a bus bunk accident – he tried to continue touring but eventually took a break when the pain was too unbearable. As of press time, the band had finished their tour and will be taking a much-needed break before going back to the studio. – Check out Pulp Magazine's December-January issue to read Henkka Blacksmith's interview.