Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Lost Society frontman Samy Elbanna reflected on performing Children of Bodom material with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in a Chaoszine video interview. He praised the concert’s impact on the visibility of Finnish metal.
Elbanna described the meeting of classical and metal musicians as an exceptional cultural moment:
“It was mind-blowing to participate in something that special and unique. Finland is known for metal music, but there are also so many incredible classical musicians from this country. Bringing those worlds together was incredible. The whole production, the set list, performers and arrangements were something that’s going to be talked about for a long time. We knew there was something special in the air. It’s beautiful that the national broadcaster wanted to bring something so important in Finnish culture and history into prime-time television with such a big production. I’m very happy and proud to be bringing Finnish metal music back into prime time, where it should be.”
He also believes the programme reached listeners outside the usual metal audience:
“Bringing classical elements together with metal was a human way of bringing the music to people who don’t necessarily listen to it. The melody, intensity, drama and beauty show up in a different way. I’ve received so many lovely messages from people whose friends, parents or grandparents aren’t normally involved with metal or rock but were excited about the show. I hope there’s a new generation who watched it and thought, ‘I want to do that too,’ because I had the same experience as a kid with so many artists, and obviously Children of Bodom.”
Elbanna has also discussed the responsibility of honouring Alexi Laiho’s legacy. Watch the full interview below.
