Escaping Contracts and Finding a New Identity

Back in the early ’90s, Finland was brewing with metal magic. Among the up-and-coming acts was a band called Inearthed, formed in 1993. They were young, they were ambitious, and they had a knack for shredding guitars like nobody’s business. But the ride wasn’t as smooth as their riffs. You see, they found themselves tangled in what they thought was a raw deal with a smaller label.

These clever Finns faked a split-up, effectively escaping the clutches of a contract they didn’t want to be part of.

So, what’s a band to do? These clever Finns faked a split-up, effectively escaping the clutches of a contract they didn’t want to be part of. No harm, no foul, right? Well, sort of. The band knew they needed something more, something that would give them the kickstart they deserved. Enter the name change.

Just before releasing their debut album “Something Wild”, they ditched the name Inearthed for something that resonated more with their evolving style. They transformed into Children of Bodom, a name that would soon become synonymous with a unique blend of melodic death and thrash metal. And guess what? This change of identity not only gave them a fresh start but also landed them a new record deal with Spinefarm Records.

Finding a Name in a Lake’s Dark Past

When you’re a fledgling band, the name’s the game. It’s the thing that can set you apart from the riff-raff and turn heads before you even strike the first chord. For the members of Children of Bodom, the search for that perfect moniker led them to a local phone book. Yes, you heard that right—a phone book. It was in those yellowed pages that they stumbled upon something more chilling than a Finnish winter: Lake Bodom.

It was in those yellowed pages that they stumbled upon something more chilling than a Finnish winter: Lake Bodom.

Now, Lake Bodom isn’t your average picturesque Finnish lake. It’s a place shrouded in a horrifying mystery, the site of the infamous Lake Bodom murders. This was no simple crime; it was the stuff of nightmares. This sinister tale seemed to echo the band’s desire for a name that would make a statement, one that dripped with history and a dark narrative. So, they huddled together, brainstormed, and after going through a list of potential names that played with the word “Bodom”, they settled on Children of Bodom.

Alexi Laiho, the band’s late frontman, shared in an interview that their hometown’s closeness to Lake Bodom was a major influence in their choice. For them, it wasn’t just a spine-chilling story from yesteryears; it was part of their local lore, a tale whispered among kids that sent shivers down their spines. This eerie and haunting tale, still steeped in mystery, seemed to fit the bill for what the band was aiming for. In adopting the name “Children of Bodom”, they weren’t just choosing a name; they were forging an identity, one that perfectly aligned with the dark and intense thematic elements of metal.

The Lake Bodom Mystery

On the night of June 5, 1960, the quiet shores of Lake Bodom in Finland were shattered by a horrifying event that would become one of the country’s most infamous unsolved mysteries. Three teenagers, camping near the lake, met their tragic ends through a combination of stabbing and blunt-force trauma. A fourth camper survived, injured but alive, adding a layer of enigma to an already perplexing case.

Three teenagers, camping near the lake, met their tragic ends through a combination of stabbing and blunt-force trauma.

Years went by and even after extensive police investigations, the perpetrator remained unidentified. In a twist of events, the surviving teen, Nils Gustafsson, found himself under suspicion in 2004. However, the legal system ultimately acquitted him a year later.

This grim and still-unresolved tale didn’t just make headlines; it also made an indelible impact on a group of musicians. The haunting narrative around the Lake Bodom murders struck a chord with the members of what would become Children of Bodom. It was this lingering, eerie mystery that nudged them toward adopting their now-iconic name, anchoring it in a chilling slice of Finnish history.

A Name That’s More Than Just a Label

You can’t talk about Children of Bodom’s rise to stardom without acknowledging how their name—layered with eerie history—played a significant role in their identity. This evocative name, in harmony with their unique fusion of thrash, melodic death metal, and power metal, didn’t just make them another band in the crowd. It propelled them to international acclaim.

And let’s be clear, the name wasn’t just a gimmick; it was complemented by genuinely captivating music that had fans headbanging across the globe. Even after the heartbreaking loss of Alexi Laiho, their iconic frontman, the name Children of Bodom and the powerful music it represents continue to be etched in the annals of metal history.