Children of Bodom was bred in spring 1993 when guitarist Alexi Laiho (Sinergy, Kylähullut, ex-Impaled Nazarene, Thy Serpent, Norther) and drummer Jaska Raatikainen (Virtuocity) decided to form a death metal band under the moniker "Inearthed." They recruited bassist Samuli Miettinen and recorded their first demo "Implosion of Heaven" in 1994. Soon after, the band added guitarist Alexander Kuoppala (Norther) and keyboardist Jani Pera Pirisjoki. Later on, Miettinen and Pirisjoki left the band and Henkka Seppäla (bass) and Janne Warman (keyboards; Warmen) joined in.

With their own money, the band recorded their debut album "Something Wild" in 1997, blending elements of speed, death and power metal. The album impressed Spinefarm Records so much that they decided to sign the band. Inearthed changed its name to Children of Bodom (named after a notorious mass murdering that occured at Lake Bodom just outside of Helsinki in 1960) in order to get out of their previous contract with a Belgian label. Children of Bodom got a licensing deal with Nuclear Blast to handle releases to the rest of Europe.

Alexander left the band in July 2003, leaving fans in shock as the band had said that they would quit if one of its members left. But Alexi said "Children of Bodom ain’t ready to fucking die yet!" as they recruited Alexi’s fellow Sinergy guitarist, Roope Latvala (Walhalla, ex-Stone, To/Die/For, Waltari). After ruling Europe, Children of Bodom began to take over North America with their first ever North American tour with Dimmu Borgir in late 2003.