arcane-beautiful
Bodom can be a bit touch and go for me. At times their music is great...I have to admit they have some great songs and great albums (with Are Youd Dead Yet? being my favourite), but also they can be a bit meh....especially now a days where their so predictable and the songs you've heard before. But back in the late 90's...this was way ahead of its time. Now they're are alot of bands who sound like this today, and you can say Bodom may have been their biggest influence...with this album being the zenith of influence.
Bodom's sound was slowly progressing through the years, and this thir 3rd album, really shows them at what I believe to be one of their most strongest eras.
When listening to this album, the influences were quite noticable, e.g. Emperor, Carcass, At The Gates, In Flames etc., but to be honest, they weren't too noticable, and sounds of these bands only happened every once in a while before hitting you in the face with the Bodom signature power. The instrumentation is also amazing, with Alexi's guitar playing being note perfect with Janne's key playing, showing some amazing technical abillity throughout.
The songs on this are classics and really will stand the test of time. This is a classic metal album, but I wouldn't say it's a masterpiece, although I have to say...it's pretty close to one in my opinion.
1. Warheart - Wow what an opener. Amazing intro. Just a kick ass in your face metal song. 10/10
2. Silent Night, Bodom Night - Great arrangement with great guitar and keyboard interplay. Great chorus. 10/10
3. Hatebreeder - Quite black metal with a load of interesting twists and turns. 9/10
4. Bed Of Razors - Great melodic arrangement. Full of nice interesting instrumental sections. 9/10
5. Towards Dead End - The intro that every metal fan has learnt how to play on guitar (I should know...we were all 15 once haha). It's just a classic metal song, and I love it. 10/10
6. Black Widow - Great symphonic stabs. Pretty kick ass, but meh, not as good as the rest. 8/10
7. Wrath Within - Great intro...again a bit meh. 8/10
8. Children Of Bodom - The self titled song that all cheesy bands should have. Great main riff and arrangement. Packed full of amazing guitar work and instrumental sections that will make you quiver...with delight...I hope. 9/10
9. Downfall - I love the mood changes throughout. Nice arrangement too. 9/10
CONCLUSION: I'm not the biggest Bodom fan, but I have to admit, this album is amazing.