-Children of Bodom-

Children Of Bodom was originally formed in 1993 by Alexi and Jaska in Espoo, Finland. Until their debut album "Something Wild" was released in the end of 1997 they went under the name Inearthed. They released two demos before recording their first full-length album. "Something Wild" was at first supposed to be released on a small Belgian label but Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent gave the recording to Ewo Rytkönen, the boss of Spinefarm Records, who signed them immediately for a three album deal. This was when they changed their name (perhaps to avoid the contract with the Belgian label?) to Children Of Bodom. The lake Bodom was the scene of a multiple murder on the 5th of June 1960 which is still not solved. Shortly after the Spinefarm release of "Something Wild" in November 1997 the band was offered a contract with Nuclear Blast for European distribution.

The band now recorded a new song called "Children Of Bodom" which was released as a limited single and stayed #1 on the Finnish charts for eight weeks without any real promotion of it. In February 1998 the band went on tour with Nuclear Blast label mates Hypocrisy, Benediction and Covenant. The keyboard player Janne could not participate on this tour because of school exams so Erna, a friend of the band, replaced him. In September they went on tour again with Night In Gales, Dismember, Agathodaimon and Raise Hell. This time Alexi's girlfriend Kimberly Goss (Dimmu Borgir, Therion) helped them out on keyboards since Janne could not join them this time either.

Between the two tours they had been writing new material and they now recorded thweir second album "Hatebreeder" which was preceded by the single "Downfall", including a cover of Stone's "No Commands". The second album was released in early 1999 and in June Children Of Bodom played three sold out shows in Japan. In September they went on tour in Europe again with In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and Arch Enemy and this time Janne actually had the possibility to go with them.

In the beginning of May 2000 their new single "Hate Me" was released and once again they were honored with the golden spot of the Finnish charts. In July Children Of Bodom crossed the Atlantic to play at the Milwaukee Metal Fest XIV. On the 30th of October "Follow The Reaper" was released in Finland with a world wide release through Nuclear Blast in January 2001 (Europe) and February 2001 (USA). The first week resulted in more than 50 000 copies sold in Middle-Europe. The chart positions were 3rd in Finland, 46th in Germany, 88th in France and 38th in Austria. In the beginning of 2001 Children Of Bodom toured with Primal Fear and Sacred Steel in Europe but the US tour was unfortunately cancelled.