Finnish metal legends CHILDREN OF BODOM are heading back to the festival stage in their homeland, with Provinssi confirming the influential band for its 2027 edition. The announcement marks a major moment for Finnish metal fans, as the group prepare to bring their music back to a major domestic festival following their emotional return to the stage earlier this year.
Taking place in Seinäjoki from 1st – 3rd July 2027, Provinssi will host CHILDREN OF BODOM for what organisers describe as the band’s first live performance in Finland next year. For a group whose influence stretches far beyond their home country, the appearance is set to be one of the most significant metal bookings of the Finnish festival summer.
But this is not simply a case of another celebrated band returning for a nostalgia-driven performance. Children of Bodom’s music remains a defining part of Finland’s extreme metal identity, and the 2027 shows offer a chance to celebrate the legacy of the late Alexi Laiho, whose guitar playing and songwriting helped establish the band as an international force.
A LEGENDARY METAL CATALOGUE RETURNS TO THE STAGE
Formed in Espoo in 1993, Children of Bodom became one of Finland’s most successful metal exports by combining the aggression of melodic death metal with dazzling guitar work, intricate keyboard melodies and an unmistakable sense of musical ambition. Albums such as Follow the Reaper, Hate Crew Deathroll and Are You Dead Yet? helped build a devoted international following, while songs including Downfall, Needled 24/7, In Your Face and Everytime I Die became essential listening for fans of melodic extreme metal.
At the centre of that sound was Alexi Laiho, the band’s guitarist, vocalist and principal songwriter. His combination of technical precision, ferocious riffs and instantly recognisable playing style earned him widespread respect among metal musicians and fans alike.
Laiho died in December 2020, leaving behind a musical legacy that continues to influence guitarists and metal bands around the world. Children of Bodom had played their final concert in Helsinki in December 2019, and the prospect of hearing this music performed live again has carried considerable emotional weight for the band’s community.
The group’s return began with two special Celebration of Music concerts at Helsinki’s Tavastia Club in February 2026. Those performances brought surviving original members together to honour the music, the fans and the legacy of Laiho, creating a powerful reminder of what made Children of Bodom such a distinctive force.
ORIGINAL MEMBERS REUNITE WITH SAMY ELBANNA
The Provinssi appearance will feature original members Janne Wirman, Henkka Blacksmith, Jaska Raatikainen and Alexander Kuoppala, joined by Samy Elbanna, frontman of Finnish thrash metal band Lost Society and a longtime friend of Children of Bodom.
Elbanna takes on the formidable role of performing the guitar and vocal parts originally made famous by Laiho. His contribution to the February concerts was widely praised, demonstrating the preparation and musicianship required to bring these demanding songs back to the stage.
The line-up represents a celebration of Children of Bodom’s music rather than a conventional reunion of the band in its original form. That distinction matters, particularly given the central role Laiho played in shaping the group’s sound and identity.
For fans, the opportunity to hear the band’s complex arrangements, relentless riffs and unforgettable melodies performed by musicians who helped create that legacy is likely to make the Provinssi set a deeply personal experience.
The festival performance will also be the first of two Finnish shows planned for Children of Bodom in 2027, giving domestic fans another opportunity to celebrate the band’s music.
CAMP BODOM: A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE HATE CREW
Provinssi is taking the announcement a step further by dedicating an entire camping area to Children of Bodom fans. Named Camp Bodom, the dedicated space will offer the band’s loyal Hate Crew community a festival experience built around their shared passion for the group.
It is an unusual and fitting addition for a band whose following has remained remarkably committed through years of inactivity. Children of Bodom’s music has brought together metal fans across generations, and the dedicated camping area gives that community another way to come together around the 2027 performance.
The move also demonstrates how festivals can turn a major booking into something more personal than a single headline set. For fans travelling to Seinäjoki, Camp Bodom offers the prospect of sharing the experience with others who understand the band’s importance and the history behind its music.
Provinssi takes place from Thursday, 1st July, to Saturday, 3rd July 2027, at Törnävänsaari in Seinäjoki, Finland. Children of Bodom are confirmed for the festival, with original members Janne Wirman, Henkka Blacksmith, Jaska Raatikainen and Alexander Kuoppala joined by Samy Elbanna.
For Finnish metal fans, Children of Bodom’s appearance promises to be much more than another festival booking.
It is an opportunity to celebrate one of the country’s most influential metal bands, revisit a catalogue that helped define a genre and honour the legacy of Alexi Laiho through the music he left behind.
With Camp Bodom adding another layer to the experience, Provinssi is giving the band’s devoted following a compelling reason to make the journey to Seinäjoki next summer. The Hate Crew will have its gathering place, the music will return to a major Finnish festival stage, and the legacy of Children of Bodom will continue to find new life in front of a live audience.
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