For Samy Elbanna, his destiny was clear from an early age; 7, to be exact. That’s when a young Samy set the goal for himself to become a professional musician. From that moment, pretty much everything he has done has revolved around achieving that dream. He started playing guitar around the time he was 11 , and if you listen to him talk about how often he practices, I don’t think he’s put it down since. Lost Society was formed in 2010, and in three years time, the band was slated to play at Finland’s Tuska Festival when their frontman and guitarist was just 17 years old – a few months shy of being able to legally attend the event as a spectator.
Shortly after that, Lost Society would find themselves in a spot that a young Samy could only have dreamed of years earlier: landing an opening spot for Children of Bodom on a 2013 tour promoting Halo of Blood. As many young metal musicians in Finland will attest, Alexi Laiho was an inspiration and idol, and the pinnacle of both rock and metal success. Samy was no exception, as he often speaks about the influence Children of Bodom, especially 2003’s Hate Crew Deathroll had on him as a guitarist and musician. Upon meeting Laiho on that tour, the two would strike up a friendship that would continue for years, to the point where Samy played in The Local Band with Alexi up until his untimely passing in 2020.
Though Samy and Alexi are distinct players in their own rights, it’s hard to ignore the similarities in their stories: setting their sights on music careers from an early age, arriving to stardom before their 18th birthdays, and a soft touch and mind-blowing skill on the guitar. When the opportunity arose recently for the remaining members to celebrate the music of Children of Bodom, Samy was the obvious choice to stand in for his departed friend and mentor. His performance during those two shows at Tavastia, playing some of the most complex songs Alexi ever wrote flawlessly with an equally impressive vocal delivery, was nothing short of spectacular. It served as an eye-opening moment for those unaware of Samy’s incredible ability and only elevated his status as one of metal’s elite players today.
I had a chance to speak with Samy about those performances, and a number of other topics, including:
- Lost Society’s festival run in Finland this summer, the festival that means the most to him to appear at, and the fact that he first attended Tuska as a performer rather than a fan.
- the writing process for Hell Is A State of Mind, how the orchestral and symphonic nature of the album evolved over time, the evolution of his clean vocal style, and how Bruce Dickinson influenced him as a frontman.
- his interactive, intensive guitar course which ran for the first time in May and the second installment coming in September, the positive effect running has had on his mental and physical health, his recent reel with Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater, and how much he practices guitar every day.
- when he was asked to be a part of the Celebration of Music shows with Children of Bodom, how often he practiced prior to the shows, a discussion of rehearsals with the band, and a question from an anonymous source about the Hello Kitty guitar.
- what it means for Samy to be honoring the legacy of Alexi Laiho by filling his role within Children of Bodom for the celebration shows and a reflection on all he’s done and missed to make his rock ‘n roll dreams come true.
You can watch the entire interview HERE:
Samy was more than gracious with his time and it was a true thrill for me to speak with him. As the celebration of Children of Bodom’s music carries on next year for the band’s 30th anniversary, I expect for Samy’s profile in the metal world to continue to its meteoric rise as so many more people are exposed to his playing throughout festivals in Europe next summer. In reflecting on what we spoke about, it’s evident Samy is grateful for all of the accolades and opportunities music has given him. While chasing the goal he set for himself in his youth, a question comes to mind which Samy asked himself on the latest Lost Society record. During the chorus of one of the singles from the album, written about all the sacrifices necessary to achieve one’s dream, he reflects with the eponymous line of the song’s title, “Is this what you wanted?”
A seven-year old Samy would answer that question with a resounding “yes.”
For more information about Samy's "Elbanna Intensive" interactive guitar course, please visit the website linked below.
Lost Society will be back on the road in October for a co-headlining tour throughout Finland with Joel Hokka, former frontman of Blind Channel. Click the button below for ticket information.
For the latest news regarding Children of Bodom and their highly anticipated festival appearances throughout Europe next summer to celebrate the band's 30th anniversary, stay tuned to their social media channels.
