Exclusive: Former Children Of Bodom guitarist Alexander Kuoppala interview about Thyrargo 

Holy fuck! I never thought I would ever hear a word from this guy! The original guitarist of COB in the greatest era of COB!

Co-wrote some of the greatest death metal music of all time, but now (and for years) works with special needs kids? This guy is amazing, and deserves so much respect. Really.

Back in the day I played with Alexander in a cover band for a while. We did weddings and parties. Ale played the trumpet, but he could play pretty much anything, he is that musical. I had no idea he was a bloody guitar titan, he never mentioned it. Until one day he asked if he could try my ESP telecaster out and shredded the shit out of it. I was absolutely devastated, took me a while to be able to pick the thing up, knowing that there is a virtuoso guitarist in the band goofing in the horn section. Once our keyboard player missed a ferry on a wedding gig and the wedding waltz was a piano piece. Ale took the notes and played it prima vista. Never bothered to mention he could play the piano too. But I suppose that was just him being Alexander. Never made a fuss about himself. He was there to have fun and enjoy music. I wish him and Thyrargo all the best!

Wow So many years without knowing anything about him, important guitarist in a great era of bodom.

So nice to hear from him. I would also love to see an interview with Roope

Seeing Alexander doing well is honestly the best thing this year

THANKS ALEXANDER. BODOM'S FIRST FOUR ALBUMS ARE PURE GOLD.

Dude is very humble and down to earth and yet a straight up legend

This interview is pure gold. We, the ones who were there listening to those guys, 20+ years ago, have been waiting for his real reasons to leave the band. It was said that quit the band due to his family things, but it is better to hear it coming out of his mouth, instead of reading the same thing on the media. So, congratulations for this.

Alexander sounds like a super standup guy. There has never been a lot of content focusing on him from his time in the band, and hearing how he carries himself in this interview is amazing from a fan's perspective. I'm happy more has been brought to light!

This guy was on the best bodom albums

Wow, he looks like a really good man with a clear mind. So sorry for Alexi, Rope and all those rock/metal musicians with alchol issues. Alexander shows that you can be a great musician, then teach, do side projects, have a family and basically make all the choices you want in your life. Just don't be stupid, don't drink your life away.

Guys I'm still devastated that alexi is gone. If you're hurt too, I love you okay?

Alexander is very humble. Great player.

Legend. Responsible for a few of the great metal albums of the late 90's / early 00's. Hope he's happy and healthy and can't wait to see this interview.

What a great interview. Alexander is a legend. And good job by the interviewer to actually let Alexander speak instead of interrupting him the whole time (that pretty much annoys me with most of the interviewers).

Alexander is a teacher at my school

What a dude. Thank you, Alexander.

What a pleasant man. Anyone that works with special needs kids is a hero in my eyes. So humble

Alexander seems like a cool guy and I understand his decision to leave. A real legend

Never thought I’d see this. It’s amazing after all this time

Such a humble guy! Really interesting stories as well

Thanks Alexander! Alexi maybe smile watching this interview in heaven:)

Alexi had his own style and sound. I could recognize his sound/technique out of thousand other guitarists. He was absolute unique. R.I.P. Nice interview.

Oh my actual god..... Alexander fucking Kuoppala! i have MISSED you dude!! You were the secret ingredient that made Bodom RULE. You left a dent that couldn't be filled. Thank you SO MUCH for this interview i've often wondered about how you're doing. that final Tuska gig was one of the greatest things i've ever witnessed. i LOVE that you still have/use the Hatecrew guitar. REALLY looking forward to hearing Thyrargo!! ♥

Its beyond legendary how Alexi was able to learn so fast and accomplish so many music abilities so so fast!! its talent that God put in him and his incredible dedication to the guitar. VERY RARE type of individual RIP King Laiho ... just wow

I'm a big fan of the Bodom era that contained this mans guitar work. Saw them live in London when I was 16, my first proper metal gig, and it blew my mind.

Very interesting to hear why he left CoB. I always wondered why he did that, but his reason is completely understandable. Respect to him for going his own way, and thanks for doing the interview in english! Will absolutely check out his band when they release an EP.

Interview with roope!

Yesterday watched this and really happy and proud Alexander doing well and kudos and thank you Alexander for being kind to those people with disabilities to give something from your end so that they can enjoy life ❤️ heart of gold and hope to see you more often with music you may have upcoming

Great man and true legend. Thanks for the music Alex.

Alexander is a nice guy, amazing guitarist and a person who seems to understand the simple meanings of life. Cheers from Brasil!

5:10 years ago I was talking to the guys from Impaled Nazarene about Alexi Laiho and they pretty much said word for word what Alexander said, that Alexi just lived for music, that he totally dedicated himself to that. Good interview btw.

Such a nice guy and interview! KaaosTV always bringing out the best.

He was on all my favorite Bodom albums!

In 1997-2003 was best albums COB

Respect to the interviewer for doing such an organic job of directing the interview back and forth between Alexander's non-COB work and his history with the band!

He’s sounds super kind and a nice guy glad he’s doing great 👍

Man it is good to see Alex. The band wasn’t the same when he left, the albums up to when Alex left the band are some of my all-time favorite metal albums. I don’t know if he was just the lucky charm or something, but the difference between Hate.Crew and Are You Dead Yet? was like the end of an era for me. I hope Alex is doing well

Alexander sounds like a real chill dude..awesome interview & RIP Alexi..

Its so great to see an interview with Alexander. We dont see him in interveiws and he seems like a very cool guy

Great interview! Thanks for this!!!

fantastic interview, thanks so much for this!

Absolutely loved this. Thanks for this interview.

Great interview! The first four albums were definitely my favourites!

Glad you finally made an interview of him been a fan since the late 90’s

That was a great interview, thank you for this!!

thank you so much for posting this, great interview

Thank you so much for this interview!! It was lovely to hear from Alexander! KaaosTV always has the best interviews.

He is a stand-up dude. Never actually have heard him talk before. Also, super appreciative with them talking english. They are super good at talking too haha

Alexander, thank you so much for all the things you did for the band!

Wow finally interview with Alexander! I have waited 7 years for this! All the best to Alexander.

Sooo nice to know about you Alexander! We are a lot who totally comprehend as Henkka the reason why you left the band. Keep doing good stuff!

Great to see and hear Ale. Thanks for the interview!

That was the interview I wanted and the interview I needed

Great interview!! Thanks so much to everyone involved!

Good to hear about him again, looking forward to checking out their EP when it comes out.

Thanks for this great interview !

KaaosTV, I hope you know that this interview is a real treat for us long time CoB-fans.Thank you very much!

This was a great interview! I'm so glad that we got to hear from Alexander. Thank you for this!

Nice to hear from him! Alexander seems to be a really nice guy!

Finally an interview with Alexander! So good to hear about him! \m/

Awesome to finally see an interview from the man himself

Excellent interview, good questions, love it !

Fantastic interview 🤘 he's such a down to earth person, I look forward to hear his new project 🔥

Early era COB with Alex was their best work - legendary/ groundbreaking. They peaked with Hate Crew Deathroll, if not Hatebreeder🤘

Thanks for this interview, his guitar work in the early Bodom albums is amazing

Such a nice snd humble guy. Thank you!

nice to hear from this legend!!!

Amazing to finally hear from this guy! In my opinion, Alexander is the most iconic rhythm guitarist in COB, having featured on all of their classic and best albums. He was part of COB at their peak and was such a great fit. Alexander clearly had a very close connection with Alexi and I think it hit hard when he left. Probably also had something to do with the band's decline...

What a wonderful man. Thank you!

Thanks for the interview, it's really good to see and know about Alexander.

Another great player !!! - awesome to here from Alexander !!!!!

Good to hear about him 👌🏻

Alexander played on the best albums !

I loved the fact that you guys uploaded this interview. I have been waiting for years to hear Alexander's side of the story. I have a great appreciation for Alexander because COB with him was when I started listening to the band.

I've been waiting for a Kuoppala interview for 16 years or so :D a CoB fan since 2000

Such a kind guy, thank you so much for your words

Great interview, thank you for making this.

I was at a COB concert during their Hate Crew Deathroll days and Alexander was great, he stayed after the show, giving autographs and taking photos even after all the other band members left. :D Thank you for the interview and good luck with your projects!

Holy shit I never thought I'd see him in recent years. 😮 Good to see he's doing well.

this interview was so important to my life

Thanks a lot for this interview ! CoB has been the biggest "felt in love with band" of my life, and in fact, the four first albums where my favorites... So many master pieces in these... When I discorvered the band, Alexander had already left and I was like, who is this mysterious guy who participate to create these incredible albums... So it's very cool to listen to his thoughts about this period, the split, and after. This man seems to be super nice and cool ! And thank to him for these four albums !

KaaosTV thank you very much, millions were waiting for this interview !!!

Thank you for this interview KaaosTV, any fans at any doubt would appreciate this. Alexander the Great 🖤

Thanks Alexander for your music and attitude!

What a GREAT interview! Really respect Alexander, and agree with some of the comments on here. A lot has come to light hearing what actually happened.

Excellent interview, most appreciated Kaaos.

Really good interview thanks guys! Rip Alexi 💛

That was great to watch. He is such a nice guy. Good he said what was him leaving about. Oh, and I will check Thyrargo when it's out. It is heartbreaking his band will not meet CoB / BaM at some stage.

Thank you for this! Really nice interview. Alexander seems to be such a down to earth guy. Would be nice to have him as an uncle. Kitos for making it in English! 👍🏻

An important man. A crucial piece in the Bodom magic puzzle. Was good to see this interview.

This was a great interview.

Alexander seems like such a great bloke, I'm always curious about projects he's been in. Can't wait to hear Thyrargo. Greetings from Australia!

Such a down to earth dude, it's really cool listening him talk about Bodom years.

Thank you for the interview in English, very interesting interview i have seen a lot from your channel, always great!!!

​Yeah! I've been waiting for news about him for so long! Thank you for this!

The fans still love Alex! Man! Keep making music, ill keep listening bro! Ppl sometimes don’t realize, you can love your job, but family is always first.

Thank you for this interview! CoB's first 3 albums are such classics! They were the last "new" metal band that I fell in love with when they came out!

Arto is such an excellent interviewer.