CHILDREN OF BODOM's two reunion shows at Tavastia Club in Helsinki on February 26-27 have been widely praised as an emotional triumph, delivering a powerful and deeply moving tribute to the late vocalist and guitarist Alexi Laiho, who passed away on December 29, 2020 at the age of 41 due to alcohol-related health complications. The sold-out concerts, titled "A Celebration of Music," marked the band's first performances in seven years and reunited the surviving original members — guitarist Alexander Kuoppala, bassist Henkka Seppala, keyboardist Janne Wirman, and drummer Jaska Raatikainen — on stage for the first time since the band's farewell shows in December 2019.
Samy Elbanna, frontman of Finnish thrash metallers LOST SOCIETY and a close personal friend of Laiho who was mentored by the late guitarist during the early years of LOST SOCIETY's career, stepped in on vocals and guitar. Elbanna delivered a passionate and respectful performance that honored Laiho's virtuosic legacy without attempting to replicate his singular neoclassical shred style, instead bringing his own aggressive energy to the material while maintaining the compositions' essential character and emotional weight.
Fans and critics described the shows as deeply moving communal experiences. The band performed career-spanning setlists featuring beloved tracks such as "Are You Dead Yet?," "Needled 24/7," "Hate Me!," "Everytime I Die," "In Your Face," and "Downfall." A large portrait of Laiho adorned the stage throughout both performances, and an empty microphone stand decorated with flowers stood at center stage as a poignant tribute. Multiple attendees reported that both the audience and band members were visibly emotional during several songs, particularly during the closing number.
The Tavastia Club, a legendary Helsinki venue with a capacity of roughly 700, provided an intimate setting that amplified the emotional gravity of the occasion. Full-set videos from both nights circulated widely on social media and YouTube, drawing millions of views within days. The reunion was organized in close collaboration with Laiho's family, who gave their blessing. Whether CHILDREN OF BODOM will continue with additional performances remains unclear, though the overwhelming fan response has sparked serious conversations about further shows and potentially a festival tour.