First Impressions: Children of Bodom, "Relentless Reckless Forever"

[A7XfoREVer578]

children of boo-doom ?

[jani14jani]

I agree with you about pretty much everything you said about this album, Solos at this album are bloody awful and most of the songs seem to be pretty boring. But some songs have great fast riffs that i really enjoy.

[mgdth502]

One thing I've noticed that since AYDY, Bodom have sounded more and more American, or less creative and dumbed down from what they can really do. I'm a guitarist, but even I heard a change in Jaska's drumming from the Inearthed days to AYDY or Blooddrunk. There's a lot to be enjoyed from every one of their albums (especially the first three), but I think they are focused on writing better songs now than just shredding. Which is good. We all know Alexi can shred, let's hear some good songs now.

[ArseLoad0fMetal666]

what the fuck are you guys on about, he should be allowed to say whatever he wants because he is voicing a balanced opinion, u wudnt hate on a music journalist in a magazine if he wrote a bad review of it so why hate on this guy. All hes saying is that early children of bodom was way better than this and that the new stuff is just really average

[blacktooth303]

you shouldn't of made this review if all you were planning on saying is negative things. I listen to bodom because guitarist these days are losing there feel.. alexi laiho has amazing feel and song writing skills, or i wouldnt be listening to it.

[lilchile123]

dude dont consider haters their is a lot of 14-17 yo fanboy that will defend COB no matter what! i was one of them until i open my horizon and realize that must of their song sounded the same

cob are really over rated

[Kapo465]

Meh!

[DeifiedThroughFire]

You are the stereotypical little dweeb that can be seen at any children of bodom show. I like every record by bodom, the current one is my least favorite but still a GOOD album. And as far as Norther "eclipsing their mentors", that's laughable. Norther haven't had a decent album since Till Death Unites Us. Fuck off and die and stop thinking that your opinion matters. It doesn't.

[shreddintheaxe]

every record from bodom is awesome

[ArdjMetal]

Northpole Throwdown solo, thats is all i have to say, it is fucking wicked!, but as for the rest of the album, Roundtrip is very melodic and heavy. I dont see why people really dislike this album, even though is not `Classic Bodom` its still a great heavy metal record. but i dont want to argue but good review anyway, i understand all your veiws on it.

[JacksonOssea]

I'm a huge Bodom fan. I wasn't a fan of the record when I first heared it either, but it has grown on me.

[Jaldaco77]

I respect your opinion but you were being redundant, we got it the first 5 minutes, anyways, I didn't like Blooddrunk and this album kicks ass!!! and when you said "Nobody should be forced to listen to that", Nobody is, it's your own choice.

[MetalMurchentOfDeath]

Was It Worth It? was the worst song on the album, but its not a bad song. I like this album better than Blooddrunk.

[oiuyuioiuyuio]

dude im not gonna even watch this shit. by reading your discussion with J214 I know you are a cunt, a douchebag and an idiot. RRF is a fine album, I prefer their 3 first albums but to say is "atrocious" is plain retarded. RETARDED. do u have ears? and btw respect Alexi you cocksucker. He almost didnt sleep for 6 weeks and worked his ass off to make this album. You just uploaded a video of u saying its shit.. seriously you are a fuckin jerk and a retarded cunt.

[XxXnonameAsDXxX]

go to a live show an say after that : was it worth it suck.

its fucking awesome, and u can only understand after a live show.

[Zaothus]

@XxXnonameAsDXxX Actually I saw COB playing with Amon Amarth in Glasgow a couple of months ago. And yeah, it was a good show. I'm dubious about Alexi's songwriting skills, but goddamn if he can't shred live.

[anes432]

Fucking Idiot I am from Venezuela and I fucking enjoy this ultimate cd from children of bodom, maybe Im not a fucking stupid that taks in a camera saying stupids of COB, why dont you go to your bathroom and jerk off finally you will do something with your life...I can say that this cd is fucking awesome and i play this shit everytime i can and "was it worth it" is so fucking great so fuck you and dont fuck COB because they are doing something with there life and is very excelent so fuck you

[LOKOLOKO52]

pure idiot...

[wildchild092]

Critique it subjective no matter which way you look at it, some of us are going to agree with @Zaothus 's view, other's won't, but what will getting angry about it do? Music is to be enjoyed, not harped on, and if he thinks that the album's not that great, then that's his opinion. I personally love the album as a COB fan for the past 6 years, and I thought that RRF was a good record, not my fav by them, but good, and so much better than Blooddrunk.

[funfreak24]

thats becouse you dont know the tabs the idea of what alexi was thinking,

wich is pretty hard becouse he s always drunk. but my first tought was like, they fuckt up <:\, but when i started to understand the tabs, it is better the blooddrunk

[nmillwater33]

i agreed with everything you said. i liked the first 3 songs and the solo for ugly. the rest was boring to me.

[nmillwater33]

you kinda look like henkka

[gal090909]

LOL Nother wasnt a success XD

[critter63boy]

I partially agree with your opinions on the singing. The screams sound like they have been tamed almost. In comparison to Bodom's old songs, they seem a lot less intense, if you get what I mean.

That said, I personally like this whole new album. Maybe because I have only known about Bodom for about 6 months or so, and haven't been following them for many years, but I still love this album!

I respect your opinions though, dude!

[shortwinger3]

I agree with you. I don't hate the album but I don't like it either. I really enjoyed it at first but I got bored of it really quick. the only song that I'm still enjoying is shovel knockout. I also agree with you about that whole "ya-YOW!!" thing that Alexi keeps doing. it's becoming cliche and annoying.

[bodomlad]

you should take the dick out of your ass and then listen to it. im sure you'll like it then

[Thousandyearsofchaos]

it can be done by pretty much anyone I've been tryin for years mate and failing miserably metal heads are jus getting bored of metal lets face it

[cryan5280]

Neoclassical? I agree with your review but dude they havent been the least bit neoclassical since hatebreeder and mainly something wild.

[natesctz]

I kind of agree, I love Children of Bodom, I have their albums and an Alexi-600 blacky signature esp/ltd guitar, I love songs like everytime I die, angels don't kill, downfall, in your face, blooddrunk, hellhounds on my trail etc. but was it worth it lacks Bodom! It almost comes across as mainstream metalcore shite and I mean the tampered vocals and over harmonised riffs? Sorry COB but not a good song whatsoever, get heavy again!

[nyy22592]

I completely agree. As a Bodom fan at the time this album came out, it was pretty depressing at how many of their unique elements weren't there. Not even the harpsichord. This is so much worse than anything they have released, and they have lost the majority of their original fan base and have gained a new one filled with 13 year old posers.

[runcis182]

Am at same feelings like you. But album have strong sides too. So i think if you'r Bodom fan it's worth buying. Nothing impressive, i belive they could better if there wouldnt be such a commercal success. PLEASE review SYLOSIS!!!

[Theblackanpink]

i liked RRF was it worth it was a great song -.-

[DecadenceBeyond12]

worst review ive ever seenn. When you were talking about the vocals and how he adds in the yeeeyaooo at some points. you say "It doesnt fit at all with the music". He does that in every album and they add those to make the vocals sound full within the whole song dummy LOL

[Tie4821]

Do you know why do I clicked I like this video, and I like you?

[LePutaMadre]

Don't care what the fanboys say, I actually agree with everything you say, and I'm a huge COB fan. This is like a "routine" COB album, and has nothing to do with the feelingful Follow the Reaper & Hatebreeder.

[LOKOLOKO52]

i cant belive that i spent 11 minutes of my life whatcing this shit...do you have done something near like cob in your life?

[deathonics]

Alright you spent 10 minute criticizing them where's your perfects album

[limoguy333]

@deathonics He's allowed to have his opinions. Sheesh.

[deathonics]

@limoguy333 sorry i was in a really bad mood when i said that

[misterbear1984]

call me stupid...but i think shovel knockout somewhat sounds like world of lines by coheed and cambria.....the intro anyways.

[J214]

Dude you are very bias. Saying things like "absolutely attrocious" and "nobody should have to listen to was it worth it" is such bullshit. They are Children Of Bodom so have some respect for them even if you don't like it cause they are head and shoulders over many many metal bands and influence many. They put hard work into every song as musicians so you sitting in a room in front of a camera talking shit on their album doesn't really strike me as a review - it strikes me as bias reputing.

[Zaothus]

@J214 Respect for an artist doesn't equate to an obligation to enjoy their work.

[J214]

@Zaothus What I say has nothing to do with enjoyment, but more so how you word your critique. I don't mean to lecture but I major in journalism and using words like atrocious to describe a work is more than just ignoring obligation to enjoy their work but its just disrespectful. Not to mention - that song is nowhere near atrocious, but your entitled to that opinion.

[Zaothus]

@J214 I explicitly say at the end of this video that I appreciate the effort that goes into playing and producing an album's worth of music. If you're studying journalism, you should know that I've exceeded any obligation I have towards the band members with that alone. Negative reviews written for newspapers, magazines and websites offer no such condolences.

[Zaothus]

@J214 If I said something to the effect of "RRF sucks, ergo Alexi Laiho needs to die," THAT would be unwarranted disrespect. But as it is, I paid for this album, and if I don't like it, I am entirely entitled to level far harsher criticism against it than "atrocious." What alternative do you suggest? Treating the album with kid gloves to preserve the artist's feelings? Then I really wouldn't be respecting them.

[TheMetalhead804]

@J214 dude everyone has their own opinion i fucking love COB but i was completely disappointed with this album i just didnt like. if you like it thats fine. but COB are slowly changing their style and people just arnt liking it (at least a lot of people dont) 

[J214]

@TheMetalhead804 I agree with you and I have heard that several times. But with every person that likes it less, a more mainstream crowd likes it a lot more. So now in Bodom's track record of recording, they have the albums that you adore that people who love some of the newer ones completely hate. I am in the middle in that I don't think COB can write a bad song and they have influenced me more than other band I can find with guitar playing too.

[TheMetalhead804]

@J214 i agree with you to dude COB influenced me to. i agree with you there that the more mainstream crowds are getting into COB and its really irritating cuz it takes away that feeling of feeling unique cuz not many people know them. everyone is buying alexi's guitar and they make him out to be the best player ever when he's not but he is stil fucking good at guitar. all the die hard fans where disappointed with are you dead yet? but all the mainstreams kids love it. its irritating how

[TheMetalhead804]

@TheMetalhead804 mainstream they are cuz everyone know them. but thats not their fault. i personally dont like the way COB is going. i wont lie i enjoyed are you dead yet but thats cuz it was the first album i ever heard (prooves how mainstream they are) cuz all the mainstream fans are braging how awesome it is. COB golden album IMO is FTR and HCDR. blooddrunk was good ill admit to that but when i heard RRF i wanted to cry. janne keyboards sound like a fat guy playin the tuba with a small child

[TheMetalhead804]

@TheMetalhead804 stuck inside the hole. and alexi's guitar sounds like an 80's metal band. i think COB is dying slowly unless they listen the fans.

[J214]

@TheMetalhead804 I hear completely what your saying. I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to their music. As long as they got those melodies - I am on board. Until the day they take those awesome instrument melodies out of their music (which I don't think will ever happen cause of their writing style) I still think they will do alright. But you compare even just the guitar solos of an album like follow the reaper to blood drunk and your point is clear as day.

[kaboose111]

they're not trying to be power metal, black metal, melodic death metal. they just play metal. it's technical and powerful. the riffs make perfect sense and the harmonies are so crazy. no 3rds or 5ths. they evolved into an even better band, one that knows no boundries. they don't have to be held down by subgenres

[maggotMEarxidia]

man ungly made my heart beat like with bodom beach terror and it has a flow

[andyjee86]

great review. my thoughts the same, i listened hoping forsomething even slightly resembling the traditional cob sound of hatebreeder, but as i expected, with each new album they release, the sound and passion just deteriorates. sounds like they're writing songs for the sake of it, not for the love of the music. again, great review.

[Deathroll666cob]

Dude i respect your opinion.

but COB owns! and RRF is amazing!

[metallicarockall]

this iis exactly what went through my mind when i first listened to the album, the album doesn't move me, there is something missing, it is their worst album to date, all the rest i love and adore with a passion

[Link572]

I actually enjoyed the album, Shovel Knockout was my favorite, and Northpole throwdown was my least favorite.. it sounded almost.. punk-ish. But then again, FTR and AYDY are my favorite bodom albums so I probably enjoy this more.

[JimmyJimmyJaymz]

i disagree. Was it worth it was the only song on the album that wasnt boring. every other song was just emotionless riffs and there were barely any bodomesque melodies and no neo-calssicalism

[UpTheIrons51510]

I am a big fan of Dethklok. When I went to their last concert, I was glad that Dethklok was headlining and not Mastodon.

6:40 was spot on! :D I really only like the screams in Needles 24/7. I do not like Bloodsrunk one bit.

[TheTasteofmyScythe]

i could not agree with you more. i heard Alexi claim to have put his best effort in this album as well, and right now i am shocked. i love CoB, but this album just does not do it. its a real shame. i actually preordered this album back in January, and to have waited all this time for a bad album was a real disappointment. great, honest, and perfectly accurate review. Norther is another great band! i hope their new album is really good, without Petri it may be difficult.

[TheTasteofmyScythe]

@TheTasteofmyScythe

and the new ARCH ENEMY, KHAOS LEGIONS!!

[Metalobsession94]

My opinion: All of the songs are good, but when listening to the entire album, it gets boring. It's like the same song over and over again

[jaskajr]

Ftr best effort

[Mudflap1974]

I agree with your review overall. I have been a fan of the earlier bodom albums, but these last 2 were a big disappointment for me. In my opinion, they peaked with Hate Crew Deathroll, and Are you Dead Yet? had a few decent tracks on there. Most notably, both of those had songs with great hooks. There hasn't been anything put out by bodom in these past 2 albums that got me to throw the horns out the car window and sing along like "Bodom Beach Terror", "Six Pounder" or "Living Dead Beat", lol. :)

[UrbanMythXXXX]

But anyway, it's a shame this review was negative and sort of pessimistic on where this band is heading but hey opinions are personal and you were spot on with your points. Great review man!

[UrbanMythXXXX]

Well I have to say that I really enjoyed this album. But you did a very solid review and I was happy to see you didn't hold back on any of it. It may be because I have been discovering a lot of these heavier metal bands pretty late, I actually was introduced to deathmetal from Dethklok (keeping in mind that Dethklok isn't as serious a band as others since it originated from a tv show, I'd love to hear your thoughts on them as well).

[Zaothus]

@UrbanMythXXXX I kind of like Dethklok, actually. I mean, Metalocalypse is sort of dumb, and the spin-off music that came from it is sort of dumb, but it's solid, fun melodeath that works as a parody. That, and Gene Holgan's involved, and you can never go wrong with him.

[UrbanMythXXXX]

@Zaothus I'm just glad you're not one of those who try tearing Dethklok apart for being on a show and therefore making them "mtv metal" as I have seen way too often. But yes Holgan's a beast and Brenden Small is pretty talented himself. They're actually creating their own album independent from Dethklok, it may be more serious and possibly very different than Dethklok. Something for you to look out for maybe?

[gianma93]

i have to disagree. imo is a great album and a big step forward, i mean , it is really better than bloddrunk and are u dead yet, i only agree with you on the fact they shouldn't release Was it worth it before the album was out, that was a big mistake, cause it gave bad impressions to the audience

[AndreLaiho24]

and about the screaming of alexi i think i agree with i sometimes laugh in a couple of songs (ex.bodom after midnight)

[AndreLaiho24]

was it worth it was like a trend song according to alexi... but northpole throwdown is one of the best bodoms songs imo

[RyanDahlReturns]

terrible review

[DerMatty]

Im mixed feelings about the album. i LOVE their old stuff (Hatebreeder-Follow The Reaper - Hate Crew Deathroll) for me, these albums are masterpieces. AYDY? was ok, Blodddrunk just had a few good moments, and so does RRF. I agree with you about the solos, i was disappointed by them. But after listening a few times, i have to admit that Was it Worth It actually isnt that bad. My favourites are Shovel Knockout, Northpole Throwdown and (sorry) was it worth it.I think their songstructure gone bad

[funkymonkey0426]

was it worth it? was a song that got very mixed reviews, i personally love this song but even the biggest bodom fans are known to not like this song.

[GuitarStun]

i didnt like blooddrunk that much besides the tracks blooddrunk and tie my rope but when i heard relentless reckless forever the first time i thought that album would be much better overall than blooddrunk. i think the first 2 songs from relentless are pretty good and it have more power and speed but i miss some epic melodies from the old times. only fast and hard today. its sad because the melodies were the things which made COB. but for the guys today this album is a good one! imao GOOD REVIEW

[HurricaneHugo429]

give it another few listens thru. even Janne (keyboards) said in an interview that the first listen thru he didnt even really like it. it took a few listens thru to stick to u. personally i loved the album. only about 2 i feel were only ok and couldve been better.

[chopshark2]

i listened to it the first time, did raelly like it.

but now iv listened to it some and i really like it.

and i love alexis screams, i just wish he would sing more.

[MrCannibalSpork]

fantastic review dude

you nailed it

i personally hated the vocals the most

they sounded really weird

[Agnes135]

This is a fantastic review you've nailed every point that I've been thinking of in my head.

-

Anyways, I thought his old black metal sounded vocals fitted well with the atmosphere of their older stuff.

But now I really don't know what he's done, it sounds like he's smoking a cigarette while trying or sing, with some God awful backing thing on it.

But I do miss their sweet catchy harmonies from songs like Bed of Razors and Deadnight Warrior. I really do miss them :(

Anyways, good review. subbed

[Zaothus]

@Agnes135 I've never really been a fan of COB (they've always occurred to me as being flash over substance), but I do agree that on albums like Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper the melodies had a good deal more character and flavour.

Anyway, glad you liked it, and thanks for the sub.

[kilon666]

Even though I love the album, I do agree with most of your points. It obviously got nothing on their first 3, possibly 4 albums, but it's definitely a lot better than Blooddrunk as they used a bit more of their signature guitar/keyboard harmonies.

Also this album really has to grow on you and surely deserves a listen or two before judging it on your own (speaking to the masses here).

But yeah, some love it, some are disappointed. That happens with every band.

I enjoy it and that's good for me.

[NasTheWild]

I agree with some of your points but as a whole I found the new album much better than blooddrunk. Not my funeral - shovel knockout - roundtrip to hell and back are amazing songs and get your attention right from the first time you listen to them. Then cry of the nihilist, ugly and was it worth it were average and the remaining 3 not that good.

They have gotten different through the years. Everyone would want them to stick to their older stuff. But this is definetely a good effort.

[emeeme2003]

Very good review. What a joke of a band now. Awful song titles these days from them.

[Zaothus]

@emeeme2003 Yeah, that was something I actually meant to comment on but forgot. COB come up with some of the stupidest song titles I've ever heard. I know they're not native English speakers, but that never stopped Dark Tranquillity. Or Joseph Conrad, for that matter.

[45nothings]

I perhaps liked it a bit more than you, but I agree that it didn't stick too much, not that I could say I'm a big fan of the band anway, haha.