Alexi Laiho

Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho (born 8 April 1979) is the lead guitarist from the bands Children of Bodom and Sinergy. He has also played with Thy Serpent and

Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho (born 8 April 1979) is the lead guitarist from the bands Children of Bodom and Sinergy. He has also played with Thy Serpent and Impaled Nazarene on occasion in addition to Warmen.

Originating from the town of Espoo, in Finland, Alexi began his musical training at the age of five by learning the viola. However, influenced by the music his sister listened to (heavy metal music bands such as W.A.S.P., Poison and Stone), he ended up dropping the classical instrument at the age of 11, in favour of guitars. A taped live performace of Steve Vai's song "For the Love of God" (from the Passion and Warfare album) was especially influential in Alexi's decison to become a guitarist. He then began taking lessons at the Finnish Pop & Jazz Conservatory in order to study the instrument. At the conservatory he also studied the piano. The development of his playing style was heavily influenced by Stone's Roope Latvala (who many years later became his bandmate in Sinergy and then in Children of Bodom). His vocal influences came mostly from Phil Anselmo (from Pantera) and Mille Petrozza (from Kreator).