Children Of Bodom bid farewell to the world on December 15, 2019, at the Black Box in Helsinki Ice Hall in Helsinki, Finland. Fans who witnessed this historic event can now relive the magic, while those who missed out can finally savor the moment. This memorable night has been transformed into a live album, A Chapter Called… Children Of Bodom (Final Show In Helsinki Ice Hall 2019), set to be released on December 15, 2023, via Spinefarm.
Pre-order are now underway for the Nordic and Baltic countries here, while the rest of the world can be found at this location.
This upcoming release, with the blessing of late Children Of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho's estate, marks the end of an era for a band that started its journey in Espoo, Finland, back in 1993, under the name Inearthed. Over the years, Children Of Bodom made a mark on the metal scene, delivering ten studio albums, two live albums, two EPs, two compilation albums, and one DVD. The final lineup of the group, before their split in 2019, included Alexi Laiho (lead guitar, lead vocals), Jaska Raatikainen (drums), Henkka Seppälä (bass), Janne Wirman (keyboard), and Daniel Freyberg (rhythm guitar).
For the band members, this live album is not just a collection of tracks but a poignant journey back to a moment they hold dear. Daniel Freyberg shared, "It's great to have that final show transformed into a live album. For those who attended, it's a time travel back to that moment. And for those who didn't, it's an opportunity to experience how the chapter called Children Of Bodom was closed."
Henkka Seppälä, reflecting on the emotional night, confessed, "Needless to say that this night was very special. When 'In Your Face' started, the reality hit me, and I had to turn away from the audience 'cause I actually started crying. But the beauty is that the memories and Alexi's music will live forever!"
Janne Wirman added his sentiments, saying, "It felt surreal to be on that stage in Helsinki Ice Hall as I knew that I was probably not gonna play with the guys ever again nor get to perform for the amazing fans anymore. It felt sad but also somewhat relieving. It is great that the last show and its emotional rollercoaster can now be enjoyed by everyone who couldn't make it to the show."
Jaska Raatikainen summed up the experience, noting, "When I got on the stage, I felt calm, probably because I no longer felt the need to prove anything but to enjoy the music and the presence of all the fans. I was just so grateful to have been a part of all this, knowing that our music wouldn't disappear even if we never ever played together again."
