Anticipation continues to build for the CHILDREN OF BODOM "A Celebration Of Music" concert at the historic Tavastia club in Helsinki, scheduled for February 26 — just two days from now. The tribute event represents a rare and deeply emotional reunion of the band's surviving members, coming together to honor the extraordinary musical legacy of Alexi Laiho, the virtuoso guitarist and vocalist who passed away on December 29, 2020, at the age of 41.
The concert features original members Henkka Seppälä on bass, Janne Wirman on keyboards, and Jaska Raatikainen on drums — three musicians who stood alongside Laiho through CHILDREN OF BODOM's greatest triumphs and most challenging periods. Early guitarist Alexander Kuoppala, who was part of the classic lineup that recorded the band's first four albums including the beloved "Hatebreeder" and "Follow The Reaper," also joins the reunion. Handling the monumental task of vocal and lead guitar duties in honor of Laiho is Samy Elbanna of LOST SOCIETY — a fellow Finnish musician whose own aggressive thrash metal style and technical guitar proficiency make him a fitting choice to channel Laiho's ferocious energy.
The choice of venue is deeply significant. Tavastia, Helsinki's legendary rock club, has been the crucible of Finnish heavy metal since the 1970s, and it was on stages like this that CHILDREN OF BODOM first forged their reputation as one of the most exciting and technically dazzling bands in melodic death metal. The intimate club setting — a stark contrast to the arena tours the band headlined at their commercial peak — ensures an atmosphere of closeness and emotional intensity.
Tickets sold quickly when they went on sale in October 2025, reflecting the enduring love and respect the Finnish metal community holds for Laiho's legacy. CHILDREN OF BODOM were one of Finland's most successful metal exports, selling millions of albums worldwide and influencing an entire generation of guitarists with Laiho's neo-classical shred technique and infectious melodic sensibility.
The concert promises an emotional celebration of one of Finland's most beloved metal legacies — a night where grief and gratitude will coexist, and where the music of Alexi Laiho will ring out once more in the city where it all began.