Members of CHILDREN OF BODOM returned to Helsinki's legendary Tavastia club for the second and final "A Celebration of Music" show on February 27, bringing to a close one of the most emotional events in recent Finnish metal history. Like the previous night, the sold-out event featured original members Henkka Seppala on bass, Janne Wirman on keyboards, Jaska Raatikainen on drums, and founding guitarist Alexander Kuoppala, alongside LOST SOCIETY's Samy Elbanna handling the vocal duties that were once the domain of the late, irreplaceable Alexi Laiho.
The shows represent the first live performances of CHILDREN OF BODOM music since their final concert in December 2019, and the weight of that absence was felt by everyone in attendance. Full video footage of the first night was shared online and quickly went viral, showing the band delivering a blazing setlist of classics including "Are You Dead Yet?," "Everytime I Die," "Needled 24/7," and "In Your Face." The performances were praised universally as a fitting memorial — not a cynical cash-in, but a genuine celebration of Laiho's extraordinary legacy.
Alexi Laiho passed away on December 29, 2020, at just 41 years old, leaving behind a body of work that redefined melodic death metal and technical extreme music. His lightning-fast neo-classical guitar work and charismatic stage presence made CHILDREN OF BODOM one of Finland's greatest musical exports. The Tavastia shows honored that legacy with dignity and passion, giving fans and bandmates alike a chance to process their grief through music. Kuoppala, who had not performed CHILDREN OF BODOM material live since leaving the band in 2003, described the experience as deeply healing.
With both shows now complete and no further dates announced, these two nights at Tavastia will stand as a definitive chapter-closing moment for one of extreme metal's most beloved acts.