CHILDREN OF BODOM
"Blooddrunk"
(Spinefarm Records; 2008)
Reviewed by Metal Mark
Have you ever had a mustard and strawberry jelly sandwich? No? Me either. That would be an example of something in which I like the parts individually, but I am not thrilled about combining the two.
Now, "Blooddrunk" isn't quite as unappetizing as that sandwich, but there are similarities. The band plays parts that are solid individually, but those parts don't really fit together that well. There's a difference between sounding diverse and sounding odd and there can be a thin line between the two. Children of Bodom kind of flip-flop between being pleasantly diverse and being not so pleasingly odd. They are elements of death, thrash and progressive metal here and the blending is minimal. The parts seems to be more separate than parts of a whole and that's just not as effective.
There are definitely more thrash parts on this effort than I was expecting which good, but the death and progressive parts, although decently played, were often scattered in how they were arranged. I like the energy and the band wastes no time in charging at the material with great confidence, but "Blooddrunk" just comes across as being more awkward than I was hoping for. It's almost as if the band was trying so hard to do so many things that the end product suffers because it just doesn't feel like it's quite complete.
For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/childrenofbodom.
"You're
Better off Dead!" (Spinefarm Records; 2002)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
“You’re Better Off Dead!” was the first
single from Children Of Bodom's full-length “Hate Crew Deathroll.”
“You’re Better Off Dead!” contains all the classic elements of Children Of
Bodom – aggressive guitars, blazing melodies, and intricate rhythm work –
yet contains some new elements as well such as backing vocals and chunkier
riffs. Anticipating a new Children Of Bodom release is difficult enough –
hearing this single before the full-length was released made the anticipation
even greater.
A rousing cover of Ramones’ “Somebody Put Something In My Drink” is
included; it is very interesting to hear Children Of Bodom tackle a punk song.
Fans of Children Of Bodom should take note that I’ve heard that the band also
covered a Slayer song during the “Hate Crew Deathroll” recording sessions,
but I’ll bet that’ll a Japan-only release.
For more information visit http://www.cobhc.com.
"Tokyo
Warhearts" (Spinefarm Records; 1999)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
"Tokyo Warhearts" features the best tracks from a two-concert set recorded in July 1999 at Club Cita in Tokyo, Japan. It goes without saying that this live disc doesn't feature any material from the band's third CD, "Follow The Reaper." However, a good cross-section of the band's material from their debut "Something Wild" and sophomore effort "Hatebreeder" are chosen for the band's set list.
The immediate impression gained from even a cursory listen to "Tokyo Warhearts" is that Children Of Bodom are as good in the live setting as they are in the studio. But therein lies the album's downfall – the live versions are so close to the originals that it seems hardly necessary to add them to your collection. To some extent, many of the band's songs sound similar to each other (especially to the uninitiated) and that problem is somewhat exacerbated on "Tokyo Warhearts." Fortunately, frontman Alexi Laiho keeps his chatter between songs brief – all the better to serve the band's relentless approach.
But not all is lost. A brief guitar/keyboard ‘battle' in a separate cut titled "War Of Razors" is about the only thing that is ‘new' in "Tokyo Warhearts."
Children Of Bodom's already extremely energetic sound and style gets an auditory boost from the performances. The typical crowd noise and stage banter aside, the best feature of "Tokyo Warhearts" is the beefed up sound in the band's lower registers including the rhythm section.
At the very least "Tokyo Warhearts" is yet another solid example of the fanatical following that the Japanese have for all things metal.
Fans of Children Of Bodom must add "Tokyo Warhearts" to their collections immediately; casual fans of the band should stick to their studio efforts.
Children Of Bodom: Alexi Laiho on vocals and guitars, Alexander Kuoppala on guitars, Henka Blacksmith on bass, Janne Warman on keyboards, and Jaska Raalikainen on drums.
For more information visit http://www.cob
"Follow
the Reaper" (Nuclear Blast; 2000)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Is there a more exciting moment in music when you know something is
actually going to meet or exceed your expectations? Such a moment for me occurred when the long awaited Children Of
Bodom hit my desk. Alexi "Wild Child" Laiho had been hyping "Follow The Reaper" as having the
raw energy and fury of "Something Wild" yet blending in the controlled precision of
"Hatebreeder." And wouldn't you know it, he's right. For once an artist is hyping his own record without blowing
smoke up anyone's ass.
There's nothing radically different here than we've already heard on "Something Wild" or
"Hatebreeder" although one might say "Follow The Reaper" is bit more polished than its
predecessors. "Follow The Reaper" is a near-perfect blend of speedy guitars, scorching leads,
aggressive keyboards, razor-sharp melodies, and passionate performances.
Highlights include "Children Of Decadence," "Taste Of My Scythe," and
"Everytime I Die." On all the tracks, however, the rhythm section never
overplays and often when the band slows the tempos down (relatively speaking, of course) the music is forever moving forward and searing its
melodies into your brain. If your audio system is looking for high volume abuse look no further than Children
Of Bodom's "Follow The Reaper" to shred your speakers.
People are always complaining when I play "Follow The Reaper" (at least I think they're complaining
as I've usually got Children Of Bodom's music up too loud to hear them properly), but I don't care!
Hail, Children Of Bodom!
Collectors take note: the American and German versions of "Follow The Reaper" have a cover of
W.A.S.P.'s "Hellion," the Japanese version has a cover of Ozzy's "Shot In The
Dark," and the Finnish version has a cover of Scorpions' "Don't Stop At The
Top."
"Follow The Reaper" was produced by Peter Tagtgren (Hypocrisy) at the world-renowned Abyss
Studios.
Children Of Bodom is Alexi Laiho on vocals and lead guitar, Alexander Kuoppala on guitar, Henkka T. Blacksmith on bass, Janne Wirman Pimeys on keyboards, and Jaska Raatikainen on drums.
For more information visit Nuclear Blast's homepage section on their bands http://www.nuclearblast-usa.com/bands.html then click on Children Of Bodom.
"Hatebreeder" (Nuclear
Blast/Spinefarm Records; 1999)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
As if I needed more proof that the best metal is coming out
of Scandinavia, Children Of Bodom's sophomore effort "Hatebreeder" is a smashing
reminder of the neo-classical movement in heavy metal. Hailing from Finland, Children Of
Bodom take their name as tribute to the young children who lost their lives in one of the
most heinous unsolved mass murders in history at Lake Bodom.
The genre of melodic black/death metal is booming and Children Of Bodom are yet another
band who have taken that formula, added classic heavy metal influences, and created their
own distinctive style. "Hatebreeder" follows in the footsteps of their debut
"Something Wild" by combining death metal and black metal in a potent mélange
of
disciplined melodic fury. Children Of Bodom owe a great debt to all of the styles of heavy
metal that have preceded them, yet their music still defies categorization. An obvious
comparison could be made to Norway's Covenant, but that would be simplifying things too
much. One could also imagine industrial strength Yngwie J. Malmsteen, but that would be
unfair to Children Of Bodom. The confidence and enthusiasm of Children Of Bodom takes
melodic black/death metal through uncharted waters.
Children Of Bodom focus their energies on their musical talents and craft ornate musical
passages that rely heavily on the interplay of their dual guitar attack and
classically-tinged keyboards. The music alternates between hyper-speed riffing and lush
passages; all of this occurs with neither being too overwhelming or too abbreviated.
Although I normally despise the employment of double-time drums, Children Of Bodom have
created deft motion and tension with the use of speedy drumming in conjunction with quick
unison guitar/keyboard runs and nimble shifts in meter.
The vocal style fits squarely in the death metal mold, without being too guttural, and at
a higher pitch and faster pace than most bands of the genre which is a welcome relief. The
band provides shouted backup vocals on a number of tracks providing variety and contrast.
Kimberly Goss (of Sinergy fame) also contributes her beautiful voice on a couple of songs.
The lyrics gravitate toward fantasy subject matter.
Although each track is rock solid and is well constructed there are a few highlights worth
mentioning: the impassioned "Silent Night, Bodom Night," the theatrical
"Downfall," the thrash-laden "Black Widow," as well as the blistering
title track. Showing the world that Children Of Bodom are willing to take chances the
title track contains harp and harpsichord which add to the disc's depth. The best tracks
find a subtle balance between aggressive guitars, blazing keyboard runs, terse and dynamic
soloing, as well as groove oriented riffing.
Children Of Bodom are Alexi Laiho on vocals and lead guitar,
Alexander Kuoppala on guitar, Henkka T. Blacksmith on bass, Janne Wirman Pimeys on
keyboards, and Jaska Raatikainen on drums. Alexi Laiho is the undisputed leader of
Children Of Bodom; as chief songwriter, lyricist, and lead guitarist Laiho has a lot of
responsibilities and he doesn't disappoint (the multitalented Laiho also works with Thy
Serpent, Sinergy, and Impaled Nazerene). The rest of the band performs with vigor and
purpose; the band is proficient at carrying out the complex arrangements of the songs.
Musical production was provided by Ansii Kippo, mixing was provided by Mikko Karmila.
Everything on the disc is superbly produced and mixed well as all instruments and vocals
are equally balanced in the overall sound.
For more information visit Nuclear Blast's homepage section on their bands http://www.nuclearblast-usa.com/bands.html
then click on Children Of Bodom.
"Something
Wild" (Nuclear Blast; 1997)
Reviewed by TBJ
Many people often have a need to categorize everything, especially music. It helps us identify with certain bands and to give them a listen. On the other hand, sometimes it can make us narrow-minded, thus losing the chance to experience good or even great bands in genres we might not be too aware or fond of. Take for example, Children of Bodom. Sure, many people call them "Black Metal." But, before all you black metal haters shrug them off, there's more than meets the eye here.
Sure, Children of Bodom employ black metal influences, more so on the vocals than anything else, but what we really have here is a band who merges various sounds and textures into a style that could only be called their own. Like labelmates Dark Tranquility and In Flames, COB employs harmonies, melodies and impressive skill. COB are more full-on metal than the aforementioned bands. Think of them as a less gothic (and catchier) Cradle of Filth with less screechy vocals or a perhaps a death/black metal version of Yngwie Malmsteen!
"Something Wild" provides us with enough head-banging fare to satisfy our metal appetite; complex musicality and not-so-clichéd lyrical content. Album highlights include "Deadnight Warrior" (for which they had a video) and both parts of "Red Light in my Eyes."
It seems this band is going the right way with perhaps a more melodic and/or catchy direction being their path to success.
COB are: Henkka Blacksmith - bass; Jaska Raatikainen - drums; Janne Wirman - keyboard; Alexander Kuoppala - guitar; Alexi Laiho - vocals, guitar.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 05 Sep 2008 00:05:28 -0500.
