CHILDREN OF BODOM
The boys are back! Yes, those wildly technical lords of manic neo-classical Blackened/Thrash. To be honest, I still don't know how to classify CHILDREN OF BODOM. They've defied just about every genre label in the world at this point and once again the attributes that have made them so incredibly successful are put to the test. They're again triumphant as this is on par with the previous outing. From a production standpoint, this is the band's best so hats off to Peter Tagtren.If what the band have released up to date has thrilled you, you are again in for more of the same. Follow The Reaper isn't some new concoction but a fine-tuned version of everything they've done in the past. More of the same insanely complex guitar acrobatics are at work on the album which has always been the selling point in the band's music. The catchy flavor is again rich and palatable. In short, the band are again in true form and why mess with the chemistry when its been so effective in the past? I'd say this is probably the heaviest work for the band to date and perhaps their most daunting in terms of technicality. Whatever this band uses to create this unique maelstrom of high-energy music if fine with me and no fan will be left with any feelings of disappointment because this is now the third excellent release CHILDREN OF BODOM are responsible for. A few tracks on this album are likely to make you dizzy as the lead playing is absolutely stunning. I've always wondered what makes guys like Alexi Laiho tick. I vote to have this man's fingers encased in bronze after his death.
Finland's finest have yet again achieved greatness with Follow The Reaper, an immersing musical journey full of character aggression, outlandish execution, epic catchiness, unrivaled creativity and bountiful layered transitions. Listen to it, then listen to it again. You'll do it many times over because this is the type of album that just won't get old. CHILDREN OF BODOM kick ass - again!
