Children Of Bodom

Relentless Reckless Forever

Written by: AP on 05/06/2011 22:36:27

Considering that Children of Bodom are solely responsible for my introduction to heavy metal, it is remarkable that I have yet to review an album of theirs despite releasing four albums since then. On the other hand, I am of the opinion that Children of Bodom ceased to be a pioneering force exactly during that time, having largely abandoned the neo-classical approach to blackened death metal that made pre-"Hate Crew Deathroll" era material so enthralling, and consequently my interest in the band has been dwindling. But in the wake of the melodic Finns' seventh studio album, "Relentless Reckless Forever", I felt it was time to rejuvenate my fond memories with tracks like "Downfall" and "Lake Bodom" and discover whether or not neo-classicism still persists in the band's music, nowadays a far thrashier affair.

Turns out it does, but in much smaller doses. Sure, Janne Wirman still exhibits supreme talent on the keys with a clear classical influence to his melodies, best exemplified in the signature solo battles he shares with guitar wielding mainman Alexi Laiho, but one instantly feels that the essence of Children of Bodom's glory days is a distant memory recalled only in moments, such as the keyboard parts in "Not My Funeral", "Shovel Knockout", and "Roundtrip to Hell and Back". Equally on the forefront, however, have always been Laiho's countless riffs, which here feel a little diluted, even uninspired, when juxtaposed with the epic instrumentation heard on early outings. In fact, the major omission on "Relentless Reckless Forever", and indeed the past couple of albums, is the blackened sound - the guitar work, in particular, sounds peculiar in the absence of darkness that reigns over, for instance, the title track.

Children of Bodom always stood fast by their past statement that if the Bodom lake murders were ever solved, the mystery shrouding the band would effectively disappear leaving it redundant, and this, said Laiho, meant Children of Bodom would be a band no more. But with the tremendous and perhaps unexpected success that the band experienced before the case was (effectively) closed rendered quitting a foolish idea, and instead, it seems, the band has simply opted to become less obscure. Ironically this step into the limelight, both in terms of mainstream success and an overall brighter sound, is the band's greatest pitfall on "Relentless Reckless Forever", as it serves to sterilize the legendary Children of Bodom sound making it sound less unique.

Of course, with such instrumental prowess at their disposal, Children of Bodom shall never be reduced to par with the modern horde; even in its current saturated format there isn't a shred of doubt who's behind the music. But for hardcore Children of Bodom fans the nondescript, almost automated approach to riff-writing showcased on "Pussyfoot Miss Suicide" and "Cry of the Nihilist" is likely to cause frustration, especially as the overall impression that "Relentless Reckless Forever" generates, is that it is essentially a rehash of "Blooddrunk" - with added teeth and growl no less. So while the album is far from trivial, it brings little new to the Children of Bodom confederacy. Stronger and more varied than "Blooddrunk" though it may be, I am left yearning for songs like "Hatebreeder" and "Silent Night, Bodom Night", which truly distinguished Children of Bodom as a forerunner in the genre.

Download: Not My Funeral, Roundtrip to Hell and Back, Ugly, Was It Worth It?
For the fans of: Arch Enemy, Kalmah, Norther
Listen: Myspace

Release date 08.03.2011
Spinefarm Records

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