I Worship Chaos

http://www.cobhc.com/
https://www.facebook.com/childrenofbodom
Nuclear Blast Records
http://www.nuclearblast.de/de/

Tracklist:
1. I Hurt
2. My Bodom (I Am the Only One)
3. Morrigan
4. Horns
5. Prayer for the Afflicted
6. I Worship Chaos
7. Hold Your Tongue
8. Suicide Bomber
9. All for Nothing
10. Widdershins

Bonus:
11. Mistress of Taboo (Plasmatics cover)
12. Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins cover)     
13. Black Winter Day (Amorphis cover)

Band:
Henkka T. Blacksmith – Bass
Jaska W. Raatikainen – Drums
Janne Warman – Keyboards
Alexi “Wildchild” Laiho – Vocals, Guitars

Children of Bodom are a Melodic Death Metal from Espoo in Finland. Formed in 1993, they released their debut album, Something Wild, in 1997 and have shown no signs of slowing down, finally releasing their ninth album I Worship Chaos late last year.

Opening track “I Hurt“ shows off everything they have to offer, with their trademark melodic riffs mixed with both heaviness and aggression. The keyboard work in the background is stunning, and with Alexi screaming as the drums pound, the experience is simply perfect for headbanging! With the whole band contributing to the chorus, it wastes no time sinking into your mind. The following track, “All for Nothing” opens with a whisper, only for the massive riffs and lavish piano work to emerge in the refrain. It is their sense of melody that has always made them stand out, with inspired harmonies between the guitars and keyboards during the solos even when taking things to a calmer, hard rock-inspired style.

The strongest track here is unquestionably “Morrigan”. Reminiscent of a track earlier in their back catalogue, “Angels Don’t Kill”, it is a perfect representation of everything they have to offer; from the strong, heavy and melodic riffs to the memorable keys, it is a track that will have you humming along in no time! Also of note is the track “Suicide Bomber”, standing apart in it’s originality by infusing their style with a folk element to deliver a side to Children of Bodom yet to truly be explored. Throughout the album there are no shortage of classic Melodeath guitar lines, sometimes leaning towards Thrash and at others towards Power Metal, and the keyboards rarely fail to give you goosebumps. It’s heavy, melodic, aggressive—everything you could hope for in a release from this artist.

It is in the bonus tracks that they show off their influences. “Mistress of Taboo” (Plasmatics cover feat. Joseph Pool [Wednesday 13]) delivers a fast tempo and punky atmosphere, and much the same can be said of “Danger Zone” (Kenny Loggins cover) where the energy sounds totally different to the original American country song. The final bonus track, “Black Winter Day” (Amorphis cover) is a brilliant gift from Children of Bodom.

I have loved Children of Bodom since I first discovered “Everytime I Die”, and once again they haven’t failed to live up to their reputation. This is an album no fan of Melodic Death Metal should be without!

Release date: 02-10-2015
Reviewer: Katarzyna Zakolska
Score: 10