The boys are back in town

New tour, new tour bus

Photo credit: K-Man

The North American leg of the Ugly World Tour kicked off on 24th June with a sold-out show at the House Of Blues, on west Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles.


With a bill that also included Septic Flesh, Obscura and Devin Townsend, Children Of Bodom's stage-time wasn't until 10:15, which gave the band plenty of time for an afternoon signing session at SoundCheck Hollywood, also located on Sunset.


"It's always nice to personally meet the people who actually like our music", commented Henkka about the session, in an interview with Metal Assault. Check out the whole interview here.

Photo credit: Metal Assault

A packed House Of Blues witnessed a killer show from the Finns and the night was topped off with the unannounced arrival onstage during set-closer Hate Crew Deathroll of one of Alexi's childhood idols, the voice of Skid Row, Sebastian Bach.

There goes my hero

Photo credit: Metal Assault

Bach later commented on a photograph of himself and Alexi on his facebook page, "Great time last night with Children Of Bodom at House Of Blues in Hollywood. Here's me & Alexi! He is incredible, the whole band is. Thanks Yanne for getting me onstage, although Alexi was surprised for sure".

Photo credit: Sebastian Bach

A selection of great shots of the show, from Metal Assault. Check out the complete gallery here and their review of the show here







Not forgetting the setlist

Photo credit: K-Man

And for those who can't get enough of the Bodom-style melodic death metal sound, check out Finnish band 2nd Suicide here, and give them a listen here

COB @ Download 2011

Photo credit: Terrorizer

Children Of Bodom's appearance on the first day of a rather wet and chilly Download Festival drew a large and enthusiastic crowd. Despite some technical problems with Alexi's guitar rig, the 40-minute set went well, and marked the start of the next round of country-hopping for the Ugly World tour. The band are now en route to Japan, and a 5-date tour, ahead of their North American headlining trek with Devin Townsend, beginning on June 24 at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.

Photo credit and setlist: K-Man

Check the Kerrang! Download Podcast interview with Alexi, right after the band's appearance, here

Get ready for a Roundtrip to Hell ...

If you're one of the many COB fans eagerly awaiting the release, via Spinefarm, of a third single from Children Of Bodom's latest, highly acclaimed Relentless Reckless Forever album, prepare to wait just a little longer than planned. The single in question, Shovel Knockout, was due to be released - both as a limited edition coloured vinyl 7” plus a digital download - to coincide with the band's appearance at this year's Download festival next weekend. However, Spinefarm tell us that the single will now be released in a couple of months time. But there's good news, too, as a new video, for Roundtrip to Hell and Back, will be available to view very soon - stay tuned!