Formed: 1993
From: Helsinki, Finland
Last Known Status: Active

Background

Children of Bodom was bred in spring 1993 when guitarist Alexi Laiho (Sinergy, Kylähullut, ex-Impaled Nazarene, Thy Serpent, Norther) and drummer Jaska Raatikainen (Virtuocity) decided to form a death metal band under the moniker "Inearthed." They recruited bassist Samuli Miettinen and recorded their first demo "Implosion of Heaven" in 1994. Soon after, the band added guitarist Alexander Kuoppala (Norther) and keyboardist Jani Pera Pirisjoki. Later on, Miettinen and Pirisjoki left the band and Henkka Seppäla (bass) and Janne Warman (keyboards; Warmen) joined in.

With their own money, the band recorded their debut album "Something Wild" in 1997, blending elements of speed, death and power metal. The album impressed Spinefarm Records so much that they decided to sign the band. Inearthed changed its name to Children of Bodom (named after a notorious mass murdering that occured at Lake Bodom just outside of Helsinki in 1960) in order to get out of their previous contract with a Belgian label. Children of Bodom got a licensing deal with Nuclear Blast to handle releases to the rest of Europe.

Alexander left the band in July 2003, leaving fans in shock as the band had said that they would quit if one of its members left. But Alexi said "Children of Bodom ain't ready to fucking die yet!" as they recruited Alexi's fellow Sinergy guitarist, Roope Latvala (Walhalla, ex-Stone, To/Die/For, Waltari). After ruling Europe, Children of Bodom began to take over North America with their first ever North American tour with Dimmu Borgir in late 2003.

After much speculation, Sonisphere Festival has confirmed the Big Four (Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth) will finally play live again! The Big Four that popularized the thrash metal movement in the 80's have never been on the same stage at once, but now the bands will have the chance to finally do so in 2010.

Originally, just a huge rumor, it has finally been confirmed. After Dave Mustaine angered Metallica and Anthrax, hopes for a Big Four concert were not looking promising. However, Sonisphere Festival has just announced that on June 16th 2010, these thrash metal giants will be sharing the stage for the first time at the Bemowo Airport in Poland. It has also been updated that the Big Four bands will also make a second appearance in the Czech Republic, with more Sonisphere shows featuring the combo to be announced in the coming days and weeks.

"Who would have thought that more than 25 years after its inception, thrash metal's big 4 would not only still be around and more popular than ever, but will now play together for the first time...what a mindfuck! Bring it on!" says Lars Ulrich, the Drummer of Metallica. "It's about fucking time this happened. And it's about time the fans finally what they want. This is fucking awesome," says Kerry King of Slayer.

ANTHRAX guitarist SCOTT IAN agrees, commenting on the enormity of the announcement:

"People have been talking about these four bands playing together since 1984. That's twenty-six years of expectation!!! And the thing is, I believe not only will we live up to the expectations, we will shatter them!! No other four bands as influential as the four of us have ever done this. Imagine if The Beatles, Stones, The Who and Zeppelin had done shows? Or Sabbath, Priest, Maiden, Motorhead? Well, I may be getting into some rarified air here but as a fan, that's how big I feel this is."

The Big Four's appearance is only exclusive to Europe it seems for now. Stay tune for hopes of an appearance in America.

Band Photo: Slayer

New Jersey metalcore band The Number Twelve Looks Like You has decided to call it quits. The band will play one last farewell show on Friday, January 29 at School of Rock East in South Hackensack, NJ. The show will feature various special guests to be announced. Guitarist Alexis G. Pareja has issued the following statement regarding the decision to break up:

"When I first started picking up my guitar and playing my favorite songs I always aspired to be able to experience what these talented artists/musicians were feeling. They get up on stage night after night to deliver a show and connect on this level that is metaphysical with their fans. Perhaps fans look up to those artists because they are this kind of gateway to a greater Utopian sense of being that transcends whatever dismal reality we live in. Of course, there are musicians who do this for the wrong reasons and I have had the displeasure of encountering many of these types but they always end up chewed up and spit out by the same people that brought them there. What we forget is that this tightly knit community of genuine original music universally travels and destroys all barriers to bring even the 2 most opposing characters together. It also stands the test of time."

"I'm glad to say I had quite a journey with this band (my first and only band). To write music only for myself and have others enjoy was the greatest thing I could ever happen to me. I saw many faces that genuinely appreciated what we were doing and that was what always kept us going. We may have never reached the pinnacle of what we could have been yet we fought hard and brought challenging ideas to those who chose to listen closely. There comes a moment where one takes a step back and reevaluates what has been built. The Number Twelve Looks Like You brought together a ruthless, diehard, demanding fan base that always made it fun to never know what to expect at every show. I can guarantee that every show we ever played was priceless to us even when there were only 5 kids. Those 5 kids in the middle of shitstown will always remember the bedlam that was our band."

"Due to many ongoing issues and the slow deteriorating of the band throughout the years, #12 has decided to let this little monster go to sleep. It is best to leave this band with high standards it set for itself than to water down anything good that we had. I'm equally sorrowful it had to end in such a manner however this will hopefully give rise to a new chapter of music and creativity from the members. I will continue to pursue my ongoing visions of music, Jon will be drumming till his heart stops the beat, Chris is going to design a computer system that will brew a delicious IPA, and Jase is going to be the head of Warner soon."

"All this is just my meek thoughts and opinions. I want to give thanks to all the fans that gave me the opportunity to take my guitar playing to the next level and to travel the world with such a fine group of gentlemen. It was 9 years of hard work and we saw lots of bands come and go while trudging along with minimal requirements. We shared the stages with many amazing people and I have innumerable memories that have made an impact on me."

"The band was never rich/famous and that was not the goal. We desired to play music we genuinely enjoyed creating while being able to support our own accumulating responsibilities. Unfortunately these personal commitments have overpowered anything we can achieve which is typical of the way this society is structured. It is virtually impossible for the arts and music to thrive in a society that does not support it. You either get duped into playing along or fight the uphill battle to something better."

"Please continue to demand quality from the saturated industry of monkeys that keep on pumping out formulaic rubbish. Hopefully one day it will rid itself of such leeches that feed off your pockets and insult your taste. All this is addressed to those who are continually seeking a culture that is evolved in thought and expressiveness. We may have not spearheaded any movement but we tried all throughout to do something different and personally we feel we achieved that. Farewell to all."

FEAR FACTORY — the newly revamped band featuring original FF members Dino Cazares (guitar) and Burton C. Bell (vocals) alongside bassist Byron Stroud (who was credited on the last two FEAR FACTORY albums in addition to touring and recording with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and ZIMMERS HOLE) and legendary drummer Gene Hoglan (DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, TESTAMENT) — begins the creative process of the first video for the song "Fear Campaign" from its new album, "Mechanize", today.

Directed by the team of Ian McFarland and Mike Pecci (MESHUGGAH, GOD FORBID) with producer Ryan Kohler, the video is being filmed in and around the band's original base of Los Angeles. It is expected for completion mid-January with broadcast and Internet premieres already in progress.

Director Ian McFarland comments: "What excites us about this song is the building and releasing of energy. We are planning to present a visual overload of images that will keep the viewer glued to the screen. The hope is to dissect the word 'fear' and to make a piece of art that will not only capture the power of the song and but the true intensity of FEAR FACTORY."

In discussing the song's lyrical concept, vocalist Burton C. Bell reveals, "It was not necessary to camouflage the insanity of the world of today within a science fiction setting like we've done in the past. The world today has become the world that writers predicted long ago. The controlling authorities are constantly, and successfully, utilizing fear tactics to control the masses. Fear is control."

"Mechanize" will be released in the U.S. on February 9, 2010 via Candlelight Records and February 5, 2010 in Europe via AFM Records. The CD, which was co-produced by the band with Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, PARADISE LOST), was recently mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY).

"Mechanize" track listing:

01. Mechanize
02. Industrial Discipline
03. Fear Campaign
04. Powershifter
05. Christploitation
06. Oxidizer
07. Controlled Demolition
08. Designing The Enemy
09. Metallic Division
10. Final Exit

Regarding the new album's lyrical approach, Bell stated, "In the past, the lyrical concept was of a futuristic, 'sci-fi' nature. An attempt to protect the ideas and logic of those involved in FEAR FACTORY; because those who incite progressive thought are always chastised and persecuted. By placing the 'story' into a futuristic, fictional narrative, the words and ideas may not have seemed threatening. Not so for 'Mechanize'. These are the words of a reality that once seemed distant, that are now apparently, and evidently real. These are the words of the world in which we live; for what once seemed like a story of another time, has come to be our reality today. Welcome to the world of 'Mechanize'."

CHIMAIRA\'s 10th annual hometown Christmas show on December 27 at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio will be filmed for a forthcoming concert DVD.

CHIMAIRA is currently on tour in the U.S. with TRIVIUM. After a two-week break, CHIMAIRA will be ready to tear Cleveland apart and spread a little Christmas cheer.

Commented guitarist Rob Arnold: \"It\'s hard for us to believe that the first time CHIMAIRA played the Cleveland area over the holidays was ten years ago this Christmas. And the fact that the show became an annual event, drawing metal heads from not only the Cleveland area but from all over the globe, makes it all the more special.

\"I remember being excited years ago, when fans started showing up from places as far as Texas, and now seeing fans flying in from places like Europe and the U.K. is, to say the least... astonishing.

\"So here we are... our tenth annual CHIMAIRA Christmas show, and we plan to make it special. The production will be the biggest and the best yet, and the set list will span our entire catalog.\"

CHIMAIRA\'s new album, \"The Infection\", sold 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 30 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band will embark on a tour of Australia and New Zealand in January 2010. Support on the trek will come from DOUBLE DRAGON. This will be CHIMAIRA\'s first headlining Australian tour, having previously played the country as a support act for IN FLAMES, BIOHAZARD and KORN.