Former Children of Bodom Frontman Alexi Laiho Launches New Band Bodom After Midnight

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Late last year, Finland’s melodic death-thrash heroes Children of Bodom shocked fans with the announcement of a concert they dubbed  “A Chapter Called Children of Bodom,” which would be the band’s final show before the departure of three longtime members: bassist Henkka T. Blacksmith, drummer Jaska W. Raatikainen and keyboardist Janne Warman. According to a statement released at the time, the trio needed to “step back and change direction within their lives.” As it turns out, that performance, which went down in December at the Black Box in Helsinki Ice Hall, was also Children of Bodom’s final show ever — after a celebrated career spanning nearly 25 years and 10 studio albums.

Fortunately, the band’s singer-guitarist Alexi Laiho has not hung it up. To the contrary, the shredder extraordinaire has announced a newly minted group, fittingly named Bodom After Midnight. Another COB alum, guitarist Daniel Freyberg, will join him in the project — in the lead-up to the “A Chapter Called Children of Bodom” show, the duo had hinted at a coming collaboration, stating, “Alexi And Daniel will have further announcements about their plans to keep creating new music in the future.” Rounding out Bodom After Midnight are Paradise Lost drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, former Santa Cruz bassist Mitja Toivonen, and touring keyboardist Lauri Salomaa. The news arrives with an evocative teaser video and the announcement of the band’s first-ever live dates, all of which can be seen below.

Bodom After Midnight live dates:
June 27 – Tuska Festival – Helsinki, Finland
July 18 – John Smith Rock Festival – Laukaa, Finland
Aug. 15 – Summer Breeze – Dinkelsbühl, Germany