Decibel Magazine: Alexi Laiho's (Children of Bodom) Top 5 Heavy Metal Riffs of All Time

Alexi Laiho's (Children of Bodom) Top 5 Heavy Metal Riffs of All Time

Posted October 5 by Chris D.

We caught Children of Bodom guiter hero Alexi Laiho shortly after a marathon slumber to ask him a really important question. To name his Top 5 Heavy Metal riffs of all time. Despite some fumbling -- not with riff selection -- but with the hard realities of waking up after what presumably was a long alcohol binge, the Finnish axe star picked his Top 5. We had to scratch several selections at his request. As he put it, "Everybody picks these riffs. I'm not going to do that." So, after a few precious moments and laughs later we hereby present Alexi Laiho's Top 5 Heavy Metal riffs of All Time. Note: these are subject to change.

5. “Blackened”
The beginning riff is fuckin’ awesome. It makes me want to headbang and go crazy. It’s got that old-school Metallica or Slayer vibe. That’s the thing about Thrash Metal from that period. It makes you wanna go fuckin’ nuts.

4. “Stoned and Drunk”
I don’t know if you know the song, but it’s off The Blessed Hellride. The first song. The riff on the verse behind the vocals is fuckin’ bad-ass. It’s nothing musically mind-blowing or special, but it’s one of those riffs that wakes you up and makes you wanna rock.

3. “Yankee Rose”
It’s not really Heavy Metal, but the intro to “Yankee Rose” by David Lee Roth. Steve Vai imitating David Lee Roth’s stupid-ass comments is so fucking incredible. I don’t think there’s one person on this planet that can pull “Yankee Rose” off quite like Steve Vai did.

2. “Angel of Death”
The riff in the middle of the song. It’s one of the most evil-sounding riffs of all time. They’re a big influence, at least to me, as far as making guitar harmonies. The whole song is pretty fuckin’ insane. You can listen to it over and over. It never gets old.

1. “Crazy Train”
The beginning riff. That’s a song that defines Heavy Metal. It sounds fuckin’ bad-ass and evil. The way Randy Rhoads played it…yeah, it's fuckin’ awesome. You can hear that same riff in millions of songs. Not only in Heavy Metal, but in Pop music or Hip-Hop. That riff is a huge influence on music in general.

** Children of Bodom's new covers album Skeletons in the Closet is in stores now. Buy it here.

Posted 10/5/2009 8:18 PM by The Justin

Everybodys got a list like this. Yankee Rose was a suprise, how often do you hear folks site Dr. Vai, y'know? Awesome.

Posted 10/6/2009 1:24 AM by Sleepwalker

Should have expected a list like this. Dethroned Emperor missed the cut? Fuck.

Posted 10/6/2009 2:43 PM by The Justin

Im suprised there wernt more modern picks on here like stuff from Morbid Angel, or Pig Destroyer. The lack of any hair bands and/or Van Halen is shocking. What gives Alexi?

Posted 10/6/2009 5:53 PM by tenchimyo

That's not even one of BLS's best riffs at all

Posted 10/7/2009 3:59 PM by METALCHRISTI

Not suprised about RANDY RHOADS. Every ONE of his riffs is sheer magic; a work of art. Best Guitarist of all time in my book. And BLACKENED by Metallica, CHEERS. Finally someone noticed! I fully agree with Alexi, it just makes you wanna go f*ckin nuts!! The And Justice for All entire album just shreds!!!

Posted 10/8/2009 4:01 PM by Can Opener

Who gives a FUCK what this guy has to say about ANYTHING? Really? Thanks bro, I had no idea Metallica and Slayer had great riffs, you fuckin' dink.

Posted 10/16/2009 6:49 PM by Blashyrkh

Ive goota say I agree with the BLS one... It just makes me grin every time! though yankee rose is a mit misplaced.. it's not even a riff per se

Posted 2/3/2010 4:54 PM by Freakfase

I guess this proves that even in Metal... a nice Jackson and tatooes does not a good judge make. Sure he's got a good sound and look. but honestly...this kid hasnt heard enough to judge anyone.

Posted 5/17/2010 5:04 PM by *nSANE

@ Freakfase. That kid turned thirty last year, hasn´t played Jacksons since 2003. So when you wake up from unreality and smell the roses, you can have a say in who can judge who.

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The Magazine The Deciblog The Forum Subscribe About Us Merch Advertise Contact Newsletter MySpace Facebook Twitter Wikipedia YouTube Our Current Issue On Newsstands Now! BUY ISSUE \| CONTENTS Refused *World Exclusive Hall of Fame: The Shape of Punk to Come* Featuring Kingdom of Sorrow, Anathema, Call & Response with Soilwork, Decrepit Birth, Xasthur, The Sword, Norma Jean, Q&A with Aaron Turner, Streetwise: San Francisco, the making of Refused's The Shape of Punk to Come Also D.I.S., Pathology, Zoroaster, Wolvhammer, Rottenness, Lantlôs, Kruger	Alexi Laiho's (Children of Bodom) Top 5 Heavy Metal Riffs of All Time Posted October 5 by Chris D. We caught Children of Bodom guiter hero Alexi Laiho shortly after a marathon slumber to ask him a really important question. To name his Top 5 Heavy Metal riffs of all time. Despite some fumbling -- not with riff selection -- but with the hard realities of waking up after what presumably was a long alcohol binge, the Finnish axe star picked his Top 5. We had to scratch several selections at his request. As he put it, "Everybody picks these riffs. I'm not going to do that." So, after a few precious moments and laughs later we hereby present Alexi Laiho's Top 5 Heavy Metal riffs of All Time. Note: these are subject to change. 5. “Blackened” The beginning riff is fuckin’ awesome. It makes me want to headbang and go crazy. It’s got that old-school Metallica or Slayer vibe. That’s the thing about Thrash Metal from that period. It makes you wanna go fuckin’ nuts. 4. “Stoned and Drunk” I don’t know if you know the song, but it’s off The Blessed Hellride. The first song. The riff on the verse behind the vocals is fuckin’ bad-ass. It’s nothing musically mind-blowing or special, but it’s one of those riffs that wakes you up and makes you wanna rock. 3. “Yankee Rose” It’s not really Heavy Metal, but the intro to “Yankee Rose” by David Lee Roth. Steve Vai imitating David Lee Roth’s stupid-ass comments is so fucking incredible. I don’t think there’s one person on this planet that can pull “Yankee Rose” off quite like Steve Vai did. 2. “Angel of Death” The riff in the middle of the song. It’s one of the most evil-sounding riffs of all time. They’re a big influence, at least to me, as far as making guitar harmonies. The whole song is pretty fuckin’ insane. You can listen to it over and over. It never gets old. 1. “Crazy Train” The beginning riff. That’s a song that defines Heavy Metal. It sounds fuckin’ bad-ass and evil. The way Randy Rhoads played it…yeah, it's fuckin’ awesome. You can hear that same riff in millions of songs. Not only in Heavy Metal, but in Pop music or Hip-Hop. That riff is a huge influence on music in general. ** Children of Bodom's new covers album Skeletons in the Closet is in stores now. Buy it here. Posted 10/5/2009 8:18 PM by The Justin Everybodys got a list like this. Yankee Rose was a suprise, how often do you hear folks site Dr. Vai, y'know? Awesome. Posted 10/6/2009 1:24 AM by Sleepwalker Should have expected a list like this. Dethroned Emperor missed the cut? Fuck. Posted 10/6/2009 2:43 PM by The Justin Im suprised there wernt more modern picks on here like stuff from Morbid Angel, or Pig Destroyer. The lack of any hair bands and/or Van Halen is shocking. What gives Alexi? Posted 10/6/2009 5:53 PM by tenchimyo That's not even one of BLS's best riffs at all Posted 10/7/2009 3:59 PM by METALCHRISTI Not suprised about RANDY RHOADS. Every ONE of his riffs is sheer magic; a work of art. Best Guitarist of all time in my book. And BLACKENED by Metallica, CHEERS. Finally someone noticed! I fully agree with Alexi, it just makes you wanna go fckin nuts!! The And Justice for All entire album just shreds!!! Posted 10/8/2009 4:01 PM by Can Opener Who gives a FUCK what this guy has to say about ANYTHING? Really? Thanks bro, I had no idea Metallica and Slayer had great riffs, you fuckin' dink. Posted 10/16/2009 6:49 PM by Blashyrkh Ive goota say I agree with the BLS one... It just makes me grin every time! though yankee rose is a mit misplaced.. it's not even a riff per se Posted 2/3/2010 4:54 PM by Freakfase I guess this proves that even in Metal... a nice Jackson and tatooes does not a good judge make. Sure he's got a good sound and look. but honestly...this kid hasnt heard enough to judge anyone. Posted 5/17/2010 5:04 PM by nSANE @ Freakfase. That kid turned thirty last year, hasn´t played Jacksons since 2003. So when you wake up from unreality and smell the roses, you can have a say in who can judge who. Name Comment	Cancel login Username Password Remember me Forgot password Register new account Search Editorial
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