Children of Bodom - Something Wild (Spinefarm) 1997
1. "Deadnight Warrior"
(3:21)
2. "In The Shadows" (6:02 )
3. "Red Light In My Eyes, part 1" (4:28)
4. "Red Light In My Eyes, part 2" (3:50)
5. "Lake Bodom " (4:02)
6. "The Nail" (6:17)
7. "Touch Like Angel Of Death" (7:57)
"Something Wild" is a relentless display of talented, technical, speed metal, melodic death metal mixed with a healthy dose of power metal. Blasphemy? Yes I know, but at times Children of Bodom almost sound like a modern power metal band with a death metal vocalist. Alexi Laiho and Alexander Kuoppala are an excellent guitar duo, with intertwining guitars riffs and killer solo's, that at times remind me of the interplay between Downing and Tipton. Laiho pulls off some blazing solo's and Kuoppala pulls out some skull crushing riffs. Keyboardist Janne Warman dominates each and every song as well; each laden with ethereal keyboard melodies and even some solos. The vocals are the typical death metal grunt, but fortunately aren't completely toneless. The use of some higher pitched grunts, as well as the lower, gutteral grind works well with the melodic metal, not unlike Amorphis' "Tales from the Thousand Lakes." "Something Wild" is a fitting album title for the debut album from these Finnish metal mongers.
The only song on this CD that truly has lyrics is "Touch Like Angel of Death". The rest were all made up on the spot by Alexi during the recording process. The intro of "Deadnight Warrior" is taken from the movie "It" and the intro speech for "The Nail" is taken from "Nightmare On Elm Street 2". The opening riff for "Red Light in My Eyes, part 2" is from Mozart's Symphony No. 25 and later there's a riff from "Requiem".
I have actually owned this album several times before and have used it as a trader, as Children of Bodom are hot traders for some reason. Twice I have traded this CD off for far more rare metal releases. However, I think I will be hanging onto this copy.
Children of Bodom - Hatebreeder (Spinefarm / Nuclear Blast) 1999
1. Warheart" (4:07)
2. Silent Night, Bodom Night" (3:12)
3. Hatebreeder" (4:21)
4. Bed Of Razors" (3:56)
5. Towards Dead End" (4:54)
6. Black Widow" (3:58)
7. Wrath Within" (3:54)
8. Children Of Bodom" (5:14)
9. Downfall" (4:34)
WOW!!! This is pure blinding speed! There is just so much going on at all times, so either you're gonna love it, or hate it. "Hatebreeder" has combines elements of power metal and thrash with layers of guitar, keyboards, and harsh, death metal vocals. Unfortunately to my ears, the vocals are the downpoint of the CD. I wish there were some good metal wails here and there, but there just aren't any. That point aside, this CD is just relentless and the vocals really do grow on you with repeated listens. The guitar solos are another high point. Check out the insane, fast guitar work in "Warheart" and "Towards Dead End". Oh and did I mention this music was fast? We are talking some serious whiplash here my metal bretheren. Imagine the speed and intensity of Slayer mixed with the guitar solos of Impellitteri or Axel Rudi Pell and you might get the picture.