Children Of Bodom - Bloodrunk

Now, everyone says that this album was “not up to Bodom standard”, or “It's the worst album they've ever made”. Well I've spent FAR too long nodding my head and “agreeing” with them. Because this album isn't bad AT ALL. It's merely a slight style change from what they're normally like. I would say that bands are entitled to change their style, seeing as they MAKE the music, but I'm not really allowed to say that considering the massive amount of bands I've poured scorn on for doing that *cough* Trivium *cough*. The album is merely slightly slower, more down tuned, and sounded slightly thicker then their previous albums. You could see they were heading towards that style a mile away from their album “Are You Dead Yet” anyway. And I for one LIKE their new album. Though I must agree, its probably their worst album, but that's only because their other albums are impossibly amazing. I mean, with this album you get songs like “Banned From Heaven” and “One Day You Will Cry” which have awesome choruses, among others. Unfortunately the use of Warman (their keyboardist) wasn't hugely present, not many harpsichord solos to my dismay, but all well, I can just listen to Warmen if I wanted plenty of those. Still, I'm a bit disappointed with their cover, I don't think Looking Out My Back Door by Creedence Clearwater Revival was exactly the greatest choice, but I suppose it's mildly amusing if you've heard the original...which no one has.

All in all, I don't think this album really gives you the proper Bodom feel, but it's been quite put down for no reason, really. It's a great album, and the motherfucking critics seem to think otherwise because “It's not exactly the same as their other albums”. It may just be because I'm obsessed with Children Of Bodom, but I would so recommend buying this album, it's just dam awesome.

Children of Bodom - Hatebreeder

Ryan is possibly the biggest Bodom fan this world has ever known so you would expect him to be writing this review, but I've seen them and he hasn't so I'm going to no matter what he says.

I give this album a BIG kudos. Not for the usual things: skill in vocals, guitars, drums etc. (though that is indeed present here!). No, this album has something else. Something that few other metal bands have, and fewer still that I would admit bands to having. Genius. This is an album like no other.

Metal, despite the hundreds of sub-genres, is all based on a similar style. Hard n' heavy chords, harsh, angry or epic vocals, drums like an M249 drilling bullets into Nazi skulls. But this is written like it is nothing less than a piece of classical, here comes the word again, genius. Constant melodies overlap background rhythms to the point where your mind seems to reach musical nirvana as you realise that Bodom don't just have a mind of metal, they can think seriously, seriously, clever stuff. A good listen to songs like 'Towards Dead End' and 'Silent Night, Bodom Night' shows this clearly. While they left behind the direct classical reference by using a harpsichord in 'Something Wild', they maintain this image in such a good way.

I can't say more really. Just buy it. I'm giving this album a whole 4 stars, only lacking because Bodom go on to show only more of their genius in their later albums. I'm only half recommending this album, because the other half is just congratulating Children of Bodom.