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Five years after their final concert and over five years after the death of guitar virtuoso Alexi Laiho, the surviving members of Children of Bodom took the stage together again in late February – and it was emotional.
Two Sold-Out Nights at Tavastia Club
On February 26 and 27, 2026, Helsinki's legendary Tavastia Club became a pilgrimage site for melodic death metal fans. Under the banner "Children Of Bodom – A Celebration Of Music," drummer Jaska Raatikainen, bassist Henkka Seppälä, keyboardist Janne Wirman, and early-era guitarist Alexander Kuoppala delivered a 20-song set spanning the band's entire career – from "Deadnight Warrior" through classics like "Needled 24/7" and "Are You Dead Yet?" to the emotional closer "In Your Face."
Samy Elbanna: A Worthy Stand-In
The toughest job fell to Samy Elbanna, frontman of Finnish thrash metallers Lost Society. As a longtime friend of the band, he took on Alexi Laiho's guitar and vocal duties – with visible respect and boundless energy. Fan footage of the complete shows is already circulating on YouTube, showing the on-stage chemistry was undeniable.
Between songs, keyboardist Wirman hinted this might not be the last time: "Just when I was looking to exit the music business and retire... That's not gonna happen if this keeps happening." Elbanna fired back: "It might keep happening – looks pretty fucking good."
Alexi Laiho's Legacy
Alexi Laiho passed away on December 29, 2020, at just 41 years old. His virtuosic guitar runs and unique blend of melodic death metal, power metal, and neoclassical elements influenced an entire generation of metal musicians. With albums like Something Wild, Follow the Reaper, and Hate Crew Deathroll, the band wrote music history.
NRW Tip: Lost Society on March 7 at Gebäude 9
Want to see Samy Elbanna live? Lost Society play Gebäude 9 in Cologne on March 7. After the emotional Bodom tribute, the man should have some stories to tell.
