Original members of the acclaimed Finnish metal band CHILDREN OF BODOM will reunite for a special tribute concert in Helsinki. The event, titled "A Celebration Of Music," will honor the life and musical legacy of late guitarist and vocalist Alexi Laiho, who passed away in 2020. The concert is scheduled for February 26, 2026, at the Tavastia club, a venue significant to the band's history.
Key Takeaways
- Original Children of Bodom members will perform a tribute concert.
- The event honors late frontman Alexi Laiho.
- Tickets go on sale October 29, 2025, for the February 2026 show.
- The concert will take place at Helsinki's historic Tavastia club.
Honoring a Legacy at Tavastia
Bassist Henkka Seppälä, keyboardist Janne Wirman, and drummer Jaska Raatikainen, alongside early guitarist Alexander Kuoppala, will take the stage. They will be joined by Samy Elbanna from the band LOST SOCIETY, who will perform in Laiho's stead. This gathering aims to celebrate the band's work and Alexi Laiho's profound influence on melodic death metal.
The Tavastia club holds a special place in CHILDREN OF BODOM's history. The band members stated their desire to perform there, fulfilling a long-standing wish of their dedicated fanbase. Tickets for this anticipated event will become available on October 29, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. through Tiketti.fi.
Fact File
- Event: A Celebration Of Music
- Date: February 26, 2026
- Venue: Tavastia club, Helsinki
- Tickets On Sale: October 29, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
- Original Members: Henkka Seppälä, Janne Wirman, Jaska Raatikainen, Alexander Kuoppala
- Guest Performer: Samy Elbanna (LOST SOCIETY)
Alexi Laiho's Passing and Health Struggles
Alexi Laiho passed away on December 29, 2020, at his home in Helsinki. His death was attributed to alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreas connective tissue. Laiho had also been found with a combination of painkillers, opioids, and insomnia medication in his system, following a period of long-term health issues.
Laiho co-founded CHILDREN OF BODOM in 1993, originally under the name INEARTHED, alongside Jaska Raatikainen. The band quickly rose to international prominence, becoming one of Finland's most recognized metal acts. His contributions as the band's main songwriter and lead guitarist were central to their sound and success.
"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's Final Years and Decision to Split
The band's final concert took place on December 15, 2019, at the Black Box in Helsinki Ice Hall. This performance was later released as the live album "A Chapter Called... Children Of Bodom (Final Show In Helsinki Ice Hall 2019)." The decision to end the band in 2019 stemmed from significant internal challenges, primarily related to Laiho's health and substance abuse.
Janne Wirman and Henkka Seppälä have previously spoken about the difficult circumstances leading up to the band's split. Wirman described a sense of relief on stage during the final concert, noting the toll Laiho's problems had taken on the band. He recalled Laiho becoming a different person from 2016 onwards, consumed by his illness.
A Difficult Farewell
The original plan for CHILDREN OF BODOM's farewell was an extensive international tour, but internal issues and later the global pandemic altered these plans. The recorded final Helsinki show became an unexpected, yet important, memento for the band and its fans.
Seppälä also reflected on the timing, stating that the early decision to end the band, though painful, might have been fortuitous. Had they stuck to a plan for a farewell tour extending into 2022, the pandemic would likely have canceled everything, leaving no recorded final performance.
The problems within the band had become severe, affecting all relationships. Seppälä noted that a future together seemed impossible at the time, making the band's dissolution the only viable option. Wirman revealed that he had told their manager he would only play with Alexi again if Laiho sought help and became sober, a possibility he knew was unlikely.
Inside Laiho's Struggles and the Band's Breakup
Laiho's struggles with alcohol began to impact CHILDREN OF BODOM significantly around 2008. While he made efforts to stay sober on tour for several years, his condition worsened again in 2016. Wirman recounted a conversation where Laiho explicitly stated his intention to drink until he died, a decision that left the bandmates feeling helpless.
Despite repeated attempts by his bandmates, manager, and even his family to get him professional help in the fall of 2020, Laiho consistently refused. His sister, Anna Laiho, confirmed that Alexi was a warm and caring person but chose to face his demons alone, making his own choices, for better or worse.
The Name Dispute and Final Agreement
A contentious period arose in 2019 when Laiho attempted to register the CHILDREN OF BODOM name under his own name. This action angered his bandmates, who viewed it as an attempt to take control of the brand, which was owned by their shared limited liability company, AA & Sewira Consulting Oy.
Ultimately, the bandmates agreed to buy Laiho out of the LLC. Laiho retained his music rights and royalties but sold his share of the company that owned the band's name and merchandising rights. This arrangement allowed the final tour to proceed, with Laiho reportedly sober for the December 2019 Finland dates.
Children of Bodom Legacy
- Albums: 10 studio, 2 live, 2 EPs, 2 compilations
- Debut: Formed as INEARTHED in 1993
- Final Lineup (2019): Alexi Laiho, Jaska Raatikainen, Henkka Seppälä, Janne Wirman, Daniel Freyberg
- Posthumous Project: Bodom After Midnight (3 songs, 1 music video)
A New Chapter: The Official Book
Adding to the celebration of the band's history, the official CHILDREN OF BODOM book was released in August through London-based publisher Rocket 88. The book presents an oral history of the Finnish melodic death metal pioneers, featuring accounts from Seppälä, Wirman, Raatikainen, and Kuoppala, along with other former members, friends, and colleagues.
For the first time, the band members tell the story of CHILDREN OF BODOM in their own words, covering more than 30 years of struggles, adventures, and triumphs. Finnish best-selling author and long-time friend of the band, Timo Isoaho, conducted new interviews and drew on personal memories to create a comprehensive narrative. The book offers an unfiltered look at the groundbreaking band's journey.
"Since we stopped making music and suffered the tragic loss of our brother Alexi, we've been remembering so many great times that we had together, and you can now read about those times in this book."
Alexi Laiho's ashes were laid to rest in December 2021 at Malmi Cemetery in Helsinki, nearly a year after his passing. Beyond CHILDREN OF BODOM, Laiho also contributed to bands like WARMEN, SINERGY, KYLÄHULLUT, and THE LOCAL BAND. He received numerous international awards, including a Metal Hammer Golden God, and composed a massive concert piece, "100 Guitars From Hel," for the Helsinki Festival in 2015, leading a group of one hundred guitarists.
The upcoming tribute concert and the recently published book serve as powerful reminders of CHILDREN OF BODOM's enduring impact and Alexi Laiho's irreplaceable talent in the world of metal music.