CHILDREN OF BODOM - Hate Crew Deathroll (2003)
Spinefarm Records / Stockholm Records
More info at:
The founders of Finnish melodic deathmetal, Children of Bodom, are back with their fourth and the hardest and most raw album since their somewhat "wild" debut album.
Compared to the last release, Follow the Reaper, the guitars and drums have gotten a heavier sound. Generally the music feels more dirty and buttkicking. Though Janne Warman's great work on the keyboard can still be found on the album, it isn't as prominent compared to Reaper.
At times the music on this album, called Hate Crew Deathroll, feels so intense so you think that soon the instruments are to break out from your speakers. The production is as usually of a very high standard and that adds extra spice to the album. Already on the Reaper-album it seemed that everything was perfect, but the band claim that the production is even better now.
As a big fan of their Reaper-album I like the more melodic tunes on Hate Crew Deathroll. The video-song "Needled 24/7" has a marvellous guitar melody which should make anyone headbanging. The song is not that different from "Hate Me!" of the Reaper-album.
"Angels Don't Kill" is a slower song and a nice break from the other songs on a pretty intense album. Last I would like to mention "Triple Corpse Hammerblow" in which Janne Warman gets to show his qualities as a keyboard-player.
Bodom-fans probably recognize the sound and those who thought Follow the Reaper was to whimpy should definitely like this one.
Tracklist:
1. Needled 24/7
2. Sixpounder
3. Chokehold (cocked 'n' loaded)
4. Bodom beach terror
5. Angels don't kill
6. Triple corpse hammerblow
7. You're better off dead
8. Lil' bloodred ridin' hood
9. Hate crew deathroll
