Hello again, friends and fans! Today we continue a journey which we embarked upon last week. Jeff Waters returns to give you further insight into the process for creating Annihilator’s new album, Suicide Society, as well as giving you his thoughts on the new Slayer and Iron Maiden albums (with a little look to the future for Judas Priest). We discuss cookie monster vocals, as well as touch on the new(er) metal scene with artists like Trivium, Children Of Bodom, and Lamb Of God. We round out our 20-plus min. segment by talking about the advent of digital recording and the pros and cons of being able to create songs while being thousands of miles apart.
If you haven’t done so already, check out a review of Annihilator’s new album, Suicide Society, by a fellow contributor. The album is available now, so what are you waiting for? Pick it up!
Children of Bodom are a four-piece for the first time in its 20-plus year career. Roope Latvala left the band this past May before the recording of I Worship Chaos. Well, the absence of a second guitarist has not hindered the band’s aggression. “I Hurt” kicks the album off in hard hitting fashion. The stomping guitar riffs and pulsating drums drive this track and remove any doubts that the band is “soft” now. “My Bodom (I Am The Only One)” combines elements of thrash and 80s sleaze rock. The band seamlessly shifts from Motley Crue to Slayer and back without a hint of awkwardness. Keyboardist, Janne Wirman, stands out on this track with some nice leads, while Laiho throws out a sick solo. The Gothic inspired “Morrigan” is atmospheric with a strong mid-tempo beat. Again Laiho’s masterful guitar work keeps the song interesting and unpredictable. There is a dreamlike feeling on this track with the eerie keyboard and frigid guitar passages. “Prayer for the Afflicted” is a somber dirge with weeping guitar and depressed keys. Fans of the band’s faster material will find solace in “Horns” and the complex “Suicide Bomber.”
I Worship Chaos successfully melds Bodom’s influences for easy consumption. The band’s death metal, thrash, classical, gothic and sleaze metal roots are out for the world to see. Alex Laiho and the guys do not force it, thus the album is never contrived. Bodom’s greatest strength is its ability to balance recklessness with musical dexterity. The band knows when to swing for the fences and when to relent. Production wise the album is top notch. Mikko Karmilla mixed and co-produced the band’s previous record Halo of Blood, and does a great job on this one. The recording process must have gone smoothly because Bodom have never sounded better.
I Worship Chaos should win over Bodom fans not fond of the band’s past few releases. The record has a good number of thrashers to tide them over, and a few cuts that could garner airplay. Here is hoping the band continues to worship chaos with reckless devotion.
