CHILDREN OF BODOM — Relentless Reckless Forever (review)

CHILDREN OF BODOM — Relentless Reckless Forever album cover

Album · 2011 · Melodic Death Metal

2/5 · 2011-10-13
arcane-beautiful

I remember my first encounter with Children Of Bodom. I wanted to get into the band, so getting their newest album at the time, Are You Dead Yet?, I put on the first song and went, “wow...probabbly one of the best metal songs I have ever heard.” And the rest of the album had a similar vein. It was just good song after good song.

Now Children Of Bodom never have really been a band to go crazy over in my opinion. But I have to admit, that Are You Dead Yet? Is a perfect album. So the rest of their stuff is a bit touch and go to be honest. Now I will admit that Hatebreeder & Hatecrew Death Roll are great albums. But after Blooddrunk, the band kind of made me loose interest. Bloodrunk wasn't too bad, it was a disappointment, but I just didn't really care about them much anymore. In fact I thought of them more as a novelty (covering Britney Spears songs and all that).

So when this album came out, I forgot about it really. I knew it was out, but I was like “meh”. So when I was getting a bunch of “new albums,” I thought, “meh what's the worst that could happen with this one.” And to be honest, I should have just forgotten it.

This is their 2nd disappointment in a row, and its an even bigger disappointment than the latter. I think Children Of Bodom have really lost their identity with this release, because it seems that all their uniqueness has been drained, and what is left is just the sounds of all the modern metal bands (I think this album prooves that fine line between Melodic Death Metal and Metaclore). In fact, this album reminds me of when you hear an unsigned band and think “meh”

The album is bad, but its not terrible. This isn't going on the worst albums list either, but it's close. What saves this album is that now and then, there are songs which have some pretty good moments, and make them slightly more interesting. But the rest is just filler. The perfect way to describe this album is that the good songs sound like the filler on most Bodem albums, and the rest is worse.

Now instrumentally, the band just isn’t as impressive as they where. I remember I used to compare the instrumental playing of Alexis & Roope to the work of John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess. But now, it's just standard, solo, solo, solo, solo...and nothing else really. And as usual, Alexis just sounds like a cat.

1. Not My Funeral – Ok...being the first song, I'm thinking, “em, this isn't the Children Of Bodom I've known and liked. This is maybe a bit too much of a step forward in the modern direction. Good production though, but very forgetful. 5/10

2. Shovel Knockout – I do like the thrasy moments. And to be honest, there is something about the chorus I like. Although still a little bland though. 5/10

3. Rountrip To Hell & Back – I really don't care about this song. To be honest, it just kind of sounds like all the modern metal out today, all clustered together. Although there is a nice riff in it. And the ending is just terrible in my opinion. The slow down bit sounds so rushed. 4/10

4. Pussyfoot Miss Suicide – With such a funny name, you'd think this song would be interesting. Nope. Bland as ever. And theirs some instrumental and musical changes that make no sense, and arent nice to listen to. I guess the chorus isn't the worst, but it's still not great. 3/10

5. Relentless Reckless Forever – The chorus isn't too bad on this one. In fact its one of the best on the album. Now that's not saying a lot. 4/10

6. Ugly – Ok,again, this song isn't the worst. It's got a good chorus, and there are some nice moments in it which come back now and then which are nice. 5/10

7. Cry Of The Nihilst – Best song on the album. In fact it seems to be one of the only real redeeming features. Great chorus and lead up to it. Great instrumental section too. Finally glimmers of the old Bodom are being shown. 7/10

8. Was It Worth It? - Ok, another pretty good song on the album. I hate it when albums start off bad, and get good at points. Nice chorus. 6/10

9. Northpool Throwdown – Nice thrashy end. But forgetable. 3/10

CONCLUSION: I really don't have a lot of faith for these guys now. Myabe their next one won't be so bad. But I'm not going out at any great depths to listen to it. Although if you like heavy riffs and nonsense, then you actually might like this.

2.3/10

more than 2 years ago
Permalink
Report #254330

Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer

Please login to post a shout

arcane-beautiful wrote:

more than 2 years ago

its listenable at least, i didnt turn off any of the songs...at times wanted to, but meh, I decided not too. I think below 10 is my turning point, besides its only my own opinion anyway