Here's the review i did for metalism a few days back.
Are You Dead Yet? by Children Of Bodom
Released in 2005 on Spinefarm
Not being exactly hopeful about this CD, I fired up Windows Media Player and let rip with the first track. Going by what Janne said with regards to Hate Crew Death Roll about using more Experimental Synth Sounds, he seems to have taken this a step further. The CDs opener Living Dead Beat opens with an almost electro synth section that totally defies the bands character. By the end of the first song, Id noticed that Children Of Bodom have changed their style somewhat, dropping a lot of the catchy melodic guitar/keyboard hooks that filled their older CDs with far more melodic vocals and big choruses that stick in your mind. That said, however, Im not saying the CD is devoid of catchy guitar licks. There are plenty of melodic hooks and quirky turns that keep you interested, just the focus has been taken off them to a new generation of listeners not so able to cope with guitar based music.
The album is a lot more brutal than its predecessors, delivering a more full and thick sound than the earlier works. Artful, if you will, use of dissonant note combinations and chords stand out on the 2nd and title track, Are you dead yet? that may cause a few What the fuck is he doing? thoughts from the old listeners while new listeners of the American metal may feel at home amongst the sonic chaos.
The 3rd track, If You Want Peace, Prepare For War Starts off with an extremely technical thrashy riff that is unlike anything the band has done before. This is one of the standout tracks on the CD for me as it is an instant headbanger and will get you fired up. My only complaint with this song is the half-arsed excuse of a post-chorus melody that is running rampant through the song. If you can see past that, youll love this song.
Now the CD slows down somewhat for the 4th song Punch Me, I Bleed. If you can see past the somewhat hilarious song title, youll find a massive Pantera influence in this song much like This Love and with an intro taken straight from "Hard Lines, Sunken Cheeks" with a followup riff from 5 Minutes Alone. The song is very slow, atmospheric and is one of my other standout tracks. Again, unlike anything Bodom has done before, I can only presume that, much like (Finntroll Guitarist) Teemu Raimoranta and the song Every Time I Die, this song (Punch Me...) will be dedicated to our fallen brother, Dimebag Darrell Lance Abbott.
After this, we have the recently released Single In Your Face. Having heard a live recording of this about 4 months ago I wasnt really surprised with what I was getting upon first listen to the CDS I got shipped out from Finland. The song starts much like Trashed, Lost and Strungout giving a very generic pedalled C chord which does the job of building momentum before Jannes slightly camp keyboard melody comes in with the driving rhythm section underneath. The song has the now infamous I dont give a flying fuck motherfucker! pre-chorus that is frankly hilarious and shows somewhat that the CD is aimed towards a younger audience. Yet, with all that in mind, this, I think is my favourite song on the CD.
Next in line, we have Next in line (Yes, that was shite, I know). This song is very mid paced and highlights what I wrote earlier about it being a very vocal based album this time round. The only thing that really grabbed my attention with this song was the catchy chorus, but, as they say, Cannae polish a turd! This song will probably end up being the one you skip.
Rolling in at track number 7, we have Bastards of Bodom. This song has the best melody on the album and you will be humming it for a damned while. This song is a lot like older Bodom. Plenty guitar hooks to keep the most hardcore old-School Bodom Fan (Like myself), happy. If you got into CoB before Hate Crew Death Roll and think the Pre-HCDR music is their golden era, start with this song. The only thing I have to say is, Come on Alexi, Bastards of Bodom? What the hell were you thinking man? What happened to the badass Bodom related titles? Either way, cant judge a book by its cover as this song delivers 10 times out of 10
Much like Shaft.
Now, those of you who have been into Children Of Bodom for more than 5 minutes will be aware of the Trashed Lost And Strungout EP. The song is probably the one that you will all either start the CD with or skip cause youve played it to death in the past 9 or 10 months. After much hype of a rerecorded solo and vocals, we find out that this isnt the case and its the exact same version as the one on the CD. This is a bit of a shame because a new solo may have added some variation to the solos on this album.
The album closer, Were Not Gonna Fall is the CDs Anthem, Much like the Title Track of the 2003 CD Hate Crew Death Roll. The song is full of generic US-METAL guitar riffs and the occasional melodic hook to retain the Bodom sound. The chorus you will find yourself screaming along to at gigs yet still having no idea what the hell he is saying. Its all good though because its the attitude that counts
.right?.......
So now for the closing paragraph which most of you have probably just skipped right to.
This Bodom CD is clearly aimed at the new American market bringing a much heavier aspect to their music. I must admit, I was sceptical, I expected the worst. Did Bodom deliver? Im going to say Yes they did. Prior to writing this review, I had the CD on repeat for about 3 hours trying to get myself into it. As a hardcore old-Bodom fan, I am not adjusting well to change but after the 10th or so listen. I find myself enjoying it more and more, noticing new things and generally getting into it more.
One thing I wish for in this CD would be that Alexi actually write different solos for the song. It sounds like hes reusing the same solo 9 times throughout the record.
Bodoms style has changed, its here to stay and Im getting used to it. If you listen to this CD as a piece of music and NOT as a Children of Bodom CD, you will love it.
7/10
Review by Gavin Harper of Metalism UK
Reviewed by Gavin
1. Living Dead Beat
2. Are You Dead Yet?
3. If You Want Peace... Prepare for War
4. Punch Me I Bleed
5. In Your Face
6. Next in Line
7. Bastards Of Bodom
8. Trashed, Lost & Strungout
9. We're Not Gonna Fall
Vocals, guitars: Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho
Guitars: Roope Latvala
Bass: Henkka Blacksmith
Drums: Jaska Raatikainen
Keyboards: Janne Wirman
www.metalism.co.uk
