Children of Bodom’s Alexi Laiho Talks New Album ‘Halo of Blood’ + 2013 Touring

Children of Bodom are currently enjoying a little bit of a break before their new album drops in June and the call of the road beckons. During some of the time off, frontman Alexi Laiho decided to take in the 2013 Revolver Golden Gods ceremony, serving as a presenter and getting a chance to reconnect with some of his friends. Loudwire spoke with Laiho on the Black Carpet and he specifically laid out the band's pre and post-Mayhem Festival touring plans and gave us some insight on their forthcoming album, 'Halo of Blood,' due out June 11.

You're heading out this summer as part of the Mayhem Festival, which has a great bill. What are your thoughts on getting a chance to play this major traveling festival this summer?

It's our first time as well and the festival culture is so different in the U.S. than it is in Europe, so first of all, I'm really interested to see how that works. I think it's going to be a lot of fun because there are a lot of bands that we've tour with before and a lot of bands that I'm excited to see. For instance, Rob Zombie, I've never toured with them and can't wait to see them. I think it's going to be cool.

Can you talk about your upcoming disc, 'Halo of Blood'? Where are you guys at at this point with the new record?

Well we just finished recording it and it's finally there and now we're getting ready to promote it. It's coming out June 11 and you know, it's hard for me to analyze my own music, but I can tell you this -- it's going to be a dark hole and heavy as s--t, you know. It'll sound like Children of Bodom for sure and it's definitely worth checking out.

Children of Bodom's style has shifted somewhat over the years and I know you're really close to this album, but can you talk a little more about what direction you're going on this record?

From what a lot of people have told me after hearing it, it's got a lot of elements from the first three albums. It's got a lot of old school Bodom in it but with kind of an updated sound if that makes any sense. So it really has that 'Follow the Reaper' kind of vibe in it, I guess, but then again, what the f--- do I know? [laughs]

Aside from Mayhem, what's on the horizon for Children of Bodom?

It's just nonstop touring, man. Before Mayhem we're going to do some festival dates in Europe and after Mayhem we're going to do Japan and a full European tour -- like nine-and-a-half weeks long European tour. And I think we've got a month off and we just keep on going. I think we've got a year-and-a-half planned out already so it's just a lot and I can't wait.