Review: Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk

Artist: Children of Bodom
Album: Blooddrunk
Label: Spinefarm
Released: 4/15/2008

BSTscore: 78

Finland’s Children of Bodom is back with Blooddrunk, the band’s sixth full length. From the start, it’s clear that the band is out to pummel the listener’s ear with their brand of metal. As usual, the first thing that will impress on any Children of Bodom album is the guitar work. Blistering solos are abundant and impressive. They are backed nicely with thundering bass lines and drumming, as well as keyboards (Get out from under your rock, they have keyboards).

The lyrics and vocals are up to par with other releases from the band. The songs are passionate and angry. I still have my complaints with Alexi Laiho’s voice at times. He has the ability to produce crisp, clear screams, but for the majority of the album chooses to use a much raspier and harder to understand voice due to the pace of the songs. Think older In Flames (Yes, I compared them to a Swedish band, sue me…). I think that the vocals take away from the overall flow of the album, but are not horrible by any means.

Regardless of my nitpicking, this is another solid release from one of the heavy hitters in metal today. The guitar work alone sets this apart from other bands, and is sure to impress even the toughest critics. The band has received a ton of exposure since the release of 2003’s Hate Crew Deathroll and I don’t think that will change with Blooddrunk.

Musicianship: 85
Vocals: 70
Creativity: 80
Impact: 75

Favorite Song: "Banned from Heaven"

Listen to Children of Bodom