Lost Society’s Samy Elbanna stepped in for the late Alexi Laiho during recent Children of Bodom tribute shows. He has now addressed questions about the band’s uncertain future. When asked whether there would be more performances with the surviving members, Elbanna expressed cautious optimism while emphasizing the importance of honoring Laiho’s legacy.
“Honestly, I don’t know. We only talked about these two shows, and the priority was to make them as special as possible,” Elbanna explained. “I even said to the guys, ‘I’m going to be playing these songs anyway after these shows, because I fucking love these songs.’ I played them for most of my life and that’s not going to change. The reception to the two nights was so great that I don’t know what else to think about at this point.”
The guitarist’s comments reflect the emotional weight of the reunion and the uncertainty surrounding any future iterations of the classic Finnish metal band. While no additional performances have been officially announced, the overwhelming fan response to the recent shows has left the door open for possibilities.
The tribute shows took place at Helsinki’s Tavastia Club on February 26 and 27, 2026, according to Blunt Magazine. This marked the first time the surviving members reunited to perform Children of Bodom’s catalog since the band’s disbandment. The event, titled “A Celebration of Music,” was designed to honor Laiho, who passed away in 2020, leaving a significant void in the metal community. The February 26 show sold out so quickly that organizers added a second date on February 27 to accommodate the overwhelming demand from fans.
Loudwire reported that the surviving members—bassist Henkka Seppälä, keyboardist Janne Wirman, drummer Jaska Raatikainen, and former guitarist Alexander Kuoppala—were joined by Elbanna. He brought his own energy and respect for Laiho’s legacy to the performances. The chemistry between the musicians was evident. Fan videos of performances circulated online and captured the emotional significance of the reunion.
