Some moments in metal aren’t captured on a stage in front of thousands.
They happen behind the scenes — in rehearsal rooms, backstage hangouts, late-night jam sessions, and spontaneous bursts of pure musical joy.
One of those unforgettable moments lives in a single photo:
A cool shot of Alexi Laiho, Corey Beaulieu, and me — just three guitarists doing what we loved most… jamming “King of the Kill” by the legendary Canadian thrash band Annihilator.
Was it Helsinki?
Yeah… I think it was.
And it was 2007.
But the exact city almost doesn’t matter — because the feeling of that moment is timeless.
The Song: “King of the Kill”
If you know metal, you know Annihilator.
“King of the Kill” is one of those tracks that carries everything fans love about classic heavy music:
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razor-sharp riffs
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unstoppable rhythm
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that perfect blend of thrash aggression and melody
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pure headbanging energy
It’s the kind of song that instantly makes guitarists look at each other and say:
“Alright… let’s play this one.”
And that’s exactly what happened.
Alexi Laiho: A True Guitar Hero
Standing next to Alexi Laiho in any setting was always electric.
The Children of Bodom frontman wasn’t just a metal musician — he was a force of nature.
Alexi had that rare combination of:
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technical brilliance
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effortless speed
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melodic instinct
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and a personality that made every jam feel alive
Even in casual moments, you could feel the passion he carried for music.
He didn’t just play guitar…
He spoke through it.
Corey Beaulieu: Precision and Power
Then there was Corey Beaulieu — known for his work with Trivium, another guitarist who brings serious fire to every riff.
Corey has always been the kind of player who balances:
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tight precision
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modern metal strength
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and a deep love for classic heavy influences
So when you put Corey and Alexi in the same room, with guitars in hand?
You already know it’s going to get loud.
Helsinki, 2007: A Snapshot in Time
Metal fans often talk about “the golden years” of certain eras.
2007 was one of those times.
The scene was thriving:
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tours were relentless
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bands were crossing paths constantly
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and the sense of brotherhood in metal was real
Somewhere in Helsinki — or somewhere close — this jam happened naturally.
No big plan.
No production.
Just musicians bonding over riffs.
More Than a Jam Session
Looking back, this wasn’t just a fun moment playing an Annihilator song.
It was a reminder of what metal has always been about:
Connection.
Not just between fans and bands… but between musicians themselves.
Three players from different corners of the metal world, sharing a song, sharing a laugh, sharing a moment that could never be recreated.
A Memory That Lives Forever
Today, that photo hits even harder — especially with Alexi Laiho gone.
It’s proof that beyond the albums, beyond the fame, beyond the legend…
There were real moments of joy.
Just friends, guitars, and the kind of music that makes you feel unstoppable.
“King of the Kill” wasn’t just a song that day.
It was a memory.
A piece of metal history frozen in time.