Children Of Bodom will reunite for a one night only tribute to Alexi Laiho in Helsinki’s Tavastia Club on February 26th, 2026. Surviving members join Lost Society’s Samy Elbanna to celebrate his legacy.
The gods of melodic death metal never truly die, they just wait for the right time to make the ground tremble again. Children Of Bodom are set to return for one night only, announcing A Celebration Of Music, a tribute to the late, great Alexi Laiho, going down February 26th, 2026 at Tavastia Club in Helsinki, Finland.
The lineup brings together the remaining members, Henkka Seppälä, Janne Wirman, and Jaska Raatikainen, joined by former guitarist Alexander Kuoppala and Lost Society’s Samy Elbanna, who’ll step in on guitar and vocals to honour Laiho’s legacy.
“We want to celebrate the life’s work of our band and at the same time the musical legacy of our friend and bandmate Alexi,” the band wrote. “The gig will be played at the Tavastia club, which is important to Children Of Bodom, and at the same time, we will fulfill the long-standing wish of our fans.”
That quote says everything, it’s more than just a reunion. Still, we’ve seen how these “one night only” events tend to evolve. One show turns into two, then suddenly Bodom’s logo starts sneaking its way back onto festival line-ups. Hopefully!
First show since 2019
Children Of Bodom officially called it quits in 2019 after one final, blistering farewell at Helsinki’s Ice Hall, later immortalised as ‘A Chapter Called… Children Of Bodom (Final Show In Helsinki Ice Hall 2019)’. Just a year later, in December 2020, Laiho passed away at 41 from fatty liver disease and pancreatic fibrosis, leaving behind a legacy that still rips through every kid who ever tried to nail a Bodom solo.
Adding to the emotion, the band released a career-spanning book in August 2025, a tell all reflection through the eyes of Kuoppala, Seppälä, Raatikainen, and Wirman. Now, this show feels like the final chapter they needed to close. Loud, fast, and unapologetically Bodom.
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