Artist: Children of Bodom
Label: Spinefarm Records
Release Date: 10/25/05
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Title: Are You Dead Yet? Artist: Children of Bodom Label: Spinefarm Records Release Date: 10/25/05 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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5 | ||
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5 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
While I would never say that this band has stagnated, I think everyone usually knows what to expect from a Children of Bodom release. The band has a distinct upbeat sound that borders on the contrived, but has enough meat to avoid the overly saccharine tendencies that have crippled bands like Soilwork and In Flames. Children of Bodom come across on album much like they do live, with a sense of purpose and urgency as well as a hint of pompousness. Their new album, in this respect, is par for the course, and as such must be considered a successful endeavor.If I have any real criticism of this record, it's probably that this band doesn't really seem to be able to surprise me. Much like Arch Enemy, I know what I'm getting. And while at the end of the day I'm always content with the finished product, I kind of wish that this band would challenge me more every once in awhile.
"One word review: Great." That's not to say that the music is any less technical than what we've come to expect. Alexi and Janne continue to try to outdo each other with their sweeping, dexterous leads, and while these type of things usually bore the pants off of me, these guys are able to maintain my attention. This is largely due to the fact that the songwriting remains quite compelling, if not a little formulaic. It's fun to scream along to the choruses of the title track and "If You Want Peace...Prepare For War" ('cause while peace sells, there's apparently no one buying).
End result is that this album is exactly what most Bodom fans want to hear, and I count myself steadfastly among them. At a minimum, Are You Dead Yet? is a well-crafted, well-produced and presented record. Professionalism like this is always to be admired. It is also a great listen - accessible and frantic while being meticulous and streamlined. One word review: Great.
Death's Review:
Children of Bodom have been picking up serious momentum in the U.S. over the last couple of releases. It seems like so long ago that the Hate Crew first played in this country at the 1999 Milwaukee Metalfest in the side room. Now, after relentless touring with all sorts of bands over the last couple of years, the mighty Finns return with their new album, Are You Dead Yet? Once again, it is a masterful balance of musicianship. Metal and downright rock 'n roll-inspired fun. That is the beauty of Children of Bodom - they are insane musicians, but they are also insane partiers, carrying on a longstanding and too often long-forgotten tradition of ripping technical playing combined with debauchery and silly fun.
"Once again, it is a masterful balance of musicianship." True to form, Are You Dead Yet? combines the spirit of 80's glam metal and all its catchy glory, with the progressive mayhem of Dream Theater (even though I think I read somewhere that these guys don't even really like Dream Theater, the speedy guitar/key dual solos beg the comparison). Plus, these guys act like they are rocking out for all of the right reasons: booze, chicks, and good times. Sure, there are lots of metalcore bands today that like to impress you with their metalcore antics, but those metalcore bands aren't doing it while channeling the spirit of Motley Crue, Dokken, Ratt, Poison and W.A.S.P., and they don't have nearly the chops to back it up. So bottoms up, my friend, and get ready to rock out to new jams like the first video, "In Your Face," a perfect example of the speed metal riffing, virtuoso solos, shout-back gang choruses, and aggressive metal lyrics. Just what the doctor ordered, right? Damn right.
So if you were a member of the Hate Crew already then by all means - surely you have Are You Dead Yet? already. But there are so many more of you who should be into this band. Anyone who has seen Bodom live knows what I am talking about. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Children of Bodom join the 11th incarnation of the Ozzfest this summer on the second stage. That's when they are going to completely blow up. Why do you get the album now, so you can be ahead of then curve?
Hel's Review:
It is an obvious, but necessary question that you must ask yourself: How much do you love Children of Bodom? If your answer is unflinchingly positive, you affection will only grow from listening to Are You Dead Yet? And you really didn't need me to tell you that, now did you? The band's newest effort continues to till the same soil the band has already broken - ruthlessly and relentlessly.In many ways, each Children of Bodom album is similar. This is because they are one of those bands that managed to carve out a unique sound and each album they release bears that telltale stamp. You know instantly when you put this record into your player that this is none other than Children of Bodom. The quality continues to be high with this release, the performances continue to be impressively strong, and the production continues to be wonderfully clear.
"The band's newest effort continues to till the same soil the band has already broken - ruthlessly and relentlessly." Above all, however, the thing that makes Children of Bodom impressive is that despite their hallmark sound, the songs continue to be immediately discernable from one another. Often a band with a distinctive sound will fall into what I call "the AC/DC trap" in which every song is "Dirty Deeds" despite differing lyrics. CoB does not, and therein lies their true genius.
So, yeah, I'm a fan - both of the band and of the new record. And to be honest, I had been sliding toward the cusp of late. Frankly, I was bored by their recent EP, and though their live show is invariably astounding, I had some skepticism that this new album would be able to capture my attention, and even more importantly, my affection. But, here I am, caught. And rather firmly at that. The band will have an opportunity to further cement their hold when I see them on the tail end of the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. I have great confidence that they will indeed accomplish this task as well.
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