Accessible Bodom
Maybe as an antidote to the increasingly dull and saturated American Metal core scene, the melodic death metal shenanigans of Scandinavian acts such as Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquillity and Children of Bodom are getting more popular. The reason I would argue is that they offer a little more than the brutal shouting, aggression and un-inspired guitar work of their American counterparts. Dual axe attacks, blazing harmonies, furious pace, a plethora of solos and catchy melodies all combine to create a heady heavy brew. With Arch Enemy making headway on to the American billboard, Finland's Children of Bodom offer their most listenable collection of songs to date.
Children of Bodom's last album Hate Crew Deathroll, although winning my vote for album title of the year, seemed to split the fans. It was a departure from their usual frenetic style of go for the throat melodic death metal. The songs weren't as catchy, the production was heavier and the instrumental breaks weren't of the fast widdle we were used to. Apart from a couple of tracks it was a shadow of Follow the Reaper and the master-class that is Hatebreeder. Are you dead yet? Sees the Bodoms keeping the heavier production, but this time they've written some better songs to go with it.
Are you dead yet? contains more rhythm-based riffs than the melodic tunes prolific in previous works. This suits the production more because the guitars are heavier and the bottom end is warmer which helps the chugging, grinding riffs cut through. This is prominent in opener 'Living Dead Beat' and the awesome 'If you want peace, prepare for war'. The latter containing a classic Bodom style instrumental break we've come to expect. 'Punch me I Bleed' is a rare slow number, not in the acoustic sense, but it stomps and churns rather than coming at you like a bullet train. It's a good change of pace and is what the album needs for balance, even if it's not the best song on offer. Alexi Laiho is on good form with the vocals, sounding as nasty as ever. He is a true talent not only creatively but also he is one of the few vocalists who can solo whilst singing.
'In your Face' pummels the listener with a chunky groove before launching into the usual pace the band are recognised for. Not the best of moves as the slower parts of the song are much better than the faster passages. 'Next in line' is your usual Bodom affair and is perhaps the weakest moment on the album, however the middle break is a killer. 'Bastards of Bodom' is a wonderful widdly tune harking back to the Hatebreeder days, and perhaps for this reason comes across as the strongest cut on the disc. 'Trashed, lost and strung out' makes it on to the album, previously released as an E.P, it was good to see it make the this full length release. It's another classic style track showcasing what the Bodom boys do best, aggression, solos, pace and melodic guitar work.
Children of Bodom will always have a problem. Their 1999 album Hatebreeder is so good that everything they've done since and continue to do will, for many of the fans, be compared against it. This is an unfair attitude but it's a consequence of writing such an excellent album. Are you dead yet? is a good CD that will please many fans of the band both old and new. Because of it's tidier production and use of slower rhythmical riffs it is also their most accessible and will hopefully increase their international fan-base. Personally, as a big Children of Bodom fan, I rate it alongside Follow the Reaper and an essential purchase for Bodomites everywhere.