Dec. 16

What does it mean to be Finland's Finest metal band? That's the way Children of Bodom are being promoted; who are we to disagree? What do we know of Finnish metal? We do know these guys look and play the part. Sample songs from "Chaos Ridden Years - Stockholm Knockout Live," a new DVD: "Living Dead Beat," "Hate Me!," "Follow the Reaper," "Hate Crew Deathroll," "Are You Dead Yet?" Suffice to say that Slayer doesn't have the entire market of speedy death metal covered. There's always room for more. Look at it this way: Network TV is awash in serial killers, from "CSI" (and spinoffs) to "Law and Order" (and spinoffs) to "NCIS" to, even, "Medium." Why shouldn't metal be so suffused? Children of Bodom (near Sodom?)will let it rip at Worcester's Palladium - truly the home for the genre - on Dec. 16 with Amon Amarth, Gojira and Sanctity. Tickets: $22. Starts at 8 p.m. Bring earplugs and raise that split-fingered salute.

261 Main St., Worcester, 800-477-6849 massconcerts.com