Children Of Bodom Return to the Scene of the Crime – “Children Of Bodom – A Celebration Of Music”
The surviving members of Children of Bodom kicked off a two-night tribute to the band’s legacy, titled “Children Of Bodom – A Celebration Of Music”, at Helsinki’s Tavastia club at the end of February. Both nights were all about riffs that still cut like a razor on »Bed Of Razors«, and a nostalgia that hung in the air heavier than a Finnish winter.
On stage were bassist Henkka Seppälä, keyboardist Janne Wirman, drummer Jaska Raatikainen and former guitarist Alexander Kuoppala, backed by longtime friend Samy Elbanna of Lost Society. Together they paid tribute to guitarist, vocalist and main songwriter Alexi Laiho, who passed away in Helsinki in December 2020. His departure closed one of the most important chapters of Finnish melodic death metal – but, it seems, the book is far from finished.
The first night’s setlist was anything but modest. From the opening punch of »Living Dead Beat« to the closing »In Your Face«, the band ran through twenty songs that shaped three decades of a career. »Silent Night, Bodom Night«, »Needled 24/7«, »Hate Me!«, »Follow The Reaper« and »Downfall« sounded like a reminder that Bodom never did anything halfway – always all the way, always going for the throat. If this was a night of raising the dead, they raised them with double bass drums and tremolo picking.
The event wasn’t just a concert, but the fulfillment of a long-held fan wish and a symbolic homecoming. Tavastia holds special meaning for the band, so it’s no surprise they chose to celebrate right where they once forged their sound. Bodom thus returned to the scene of the crime – and with the full weight of their own legacy.
In August 2025, the band’s official book also came out via London’s Rocket 88, tracing the group’s 30-plus-year journey in the form of an oral history. For the first time, the members reveal in their own words the highs, the lows, the internal tensions and the inevitable end. No sugarcoating, no filters – »warts and all«, as the English would say.
As a reminder, Bodom played their last show in December 2019 at the Helsinki Ice Hall, and the recording was released as “A Chapter Called… Children Of Bodom (Final Show In Helsinki Ice Hall 2019)” via Spinefarm Records. Ironically, that well-timed decision to call it a day meant the band caught one last tribute before the pandemic silence. Sometimes you have to hit »stop« so you can hit »play« again later.
Over their career, the band put out ten studio albums, two live albums, two EPs, two compilations and a DVD. From their founding in 1993 (back then still as Inearthed) to their farewell in 2019, they became one of Finland’s most successful metal export stories. After the breakup, Alexi Laiho also founded the project Bodom After Midnight, which released three tracks posthumously – a quiet but eloquent epilogue.
The tribute at Tavastia wasn’t an attempt to revive the band in the traditional sense, but a celebration of music that outlived its creator. And even though the story of Children of Bodom is marked by demons, internal friction and a tragic end, one fact remains: their songs are still alive. Maybe the children of Bodom have grown up – but they can still cause a proper massacre down in front of the stage.
A recording of the full concert is available at the bottom of the post.
Setlist:
Living Dead Beat
Sixpounder
Bodom Beach Terror
Silent Night, Bodom Night
Deadnight Warrior
Towards Dead End
Everytime I Die
Bodom After Midnight
Lake Bodom
Bed Of Razors
Needled 24/7
Angels Don’t Kill
Blooddrunk
Warheart
Follow The Reaper
Downfall
Encore 1:
Are You Dead Yet?
Hate Me!
Hate Crew Deathroll
Encore 2:
In Your Face
