If the artwork alone is not enough to tell you that Children of Bodom have once again gone for a different slant to their sound, opting for a blackened folk metal approach to the song writing style this time, then the tracks on “Halo of Blood” will reinforce the fact that they haven’t been able to settle under a safe “sub-genre” of metal since their 2005 album “Are You Dead Yet”. As their live shows have reportedly gone downhill, unravelling into an hour and a half of drunken falling about the stage, it seems so have there have albums with “Halo of Blood” being a prime example of why the band need to return to their former sound.
“Halo of Blood” is an album mediocre at best, containing the odd moment in tracks such as ‘Bodom Blue Moon’ and ‘The Days Are Numbered’ that will have you banging your heard along to the razor sharp guitar lines present, but other than that, the dingy and dark Children of Bodom have adopted on this record is incredibly dull to say the least. At one time Children of Bodom were praised as being one of the most exciting melodic-death metal bands going, but now that excitement has been killed dead in the water thanks to release of 2007’s shambles “Blooddrunk” and now the rather boring “Halo of Blood”.
Sure, Halo of Blood’s predecessor “Relentless, Reckless Forever” showed a small sign that Children of Bodom were returning to their old school roots, but Alexi Laiho and co thought it would be a smart idea to expand their sound and delve into something they have never really tried before… Bad idea guys! There is a lack of musical interest and uniqueness in the tracks ‘Halo of Blood’, ‘Damaged Beyond Repair’ and ‘One Bottle and a Knee Deep’ and this is what is losing Children of Bodom the credibility they once had. All these tracks sound like re-jigs of older “filler” tracks the band have performed or new tracks that have been written without any thought or care in the space of 5 minutes.
The only track that is of any real interest on “Halo of Blood” is the opening track ‘Waste of Skin’. The only track worth listening to – ‘Waste of Skin’ is the embodiment of the sound that Children of Bodom SHOULD have gone for when writing this album. God only knows why Children of Bodom did not stick to their guns and write more songs like this for “Halo of Blood”. Let’s only hope that they learn from their mistakes and ditch the crap on the bands next album.
Children of Bodom! Please get your act together! Fast! Although not as poor as “Blooddrunk”, “Halo of Blood” is very close to being Children of Bodom’s worst album to date, containing the odd good track and a metric fucktonne of filler. Sort it out guys, another album like this and it may be time to call it a day…
Stupid reviewer! Half of Blood? Did you just come out of Black Mesa? This album is as good as it can possibly be! If you’re a fan of the older stuff, just listen to the older stuff. I have listened to the album and first time through, its a pleasant listen. Really glad that they have gone for this sound although Blooddrunk and Relentless had a lot of good moments. People reading this, just DO NOT believe this review!
Cagedestroyer – I assume that’s not your real name – it appears that you disagree with our reviewer and his opinion on the new Children of Bodom album. I shall emphasise the words ‘his opinion’ as it seems it isn’t the same as yours and therefore, according to your impassioned outburst, not valid, whereas your statement of “Really glad they have gone for this sound” clearly is the right opinion that we should all share.
I’m sure that in his spare time Matt does ‘just listen to the older stuff’ but when you’re a reviewer for a website or magazine you get given the chance to offer your opinion on new stuff, where you can critique, compare and give a reasonable argument as to how the new material sounds. As you obviously are fond of the band and their apparent new direction then you have the power to write your own reviews and offer a similarly subjective opinion, which we can all then read and respond to in such a courteous manner. But until that time, feel free to offer your opinions on here in a constructive and subjective manner without resorting to insulting rallying cries.
Thanks for the feedback.
Heya,
As a 16 year old freelancer, writing reviews for several online magazine (and having an article published in Metal Hammer), I am very much open to constructive Cricism.
The first Bodom album I bought was in fact Blooddrunk, and it was only about a year ago when I started to delve into their earlier material. As a review, I find it important to compare new material to the bands previous hits. Like Chris said… A review is just an opinion, and all I can say is that everyone is entitled to one.
I have been taught to be as brutal and truthful as possible when writing a review, and in Halo of Blood’s case that is what I have been. It didn’t float my boat what so ever.
Thanks, Matt
@chris ward – Typos while writing a review is just plain complacency! Did you even proof-read or just hurried through to make your “opinion” public?
Dude, I understand you’re all butt-hurt that I bashed your view on their work but trust me, I ain’t being cocky or rude or any asinine adjective you want to use. I am just supporting the band for what they have been doing and trying to reduce the number of people that would possibly shy away from listening to this album because of your review!
And FYI, Blooddrunk and RRF were great albums with some sublime keyboard interludes and solos and the same goes for Halo of Blood. Everything is very, very praise-worthy (definitely better than what many “new” melodic death/black metal bands are trying to do…and I keep myself updated to a LOT of new stuff, just so you know).
I apologize if I came out as a naive, incompetent, fanboy-ish kid, but I am 23 years old and have been listening and writing metal music from the last 6 years, so I know what I am talking about. I just HATE unjustified and impatiently done reviews! The album is very good! And that is MY opinion!
Cheers! 🙂
I proof read all of my work and that of several other writers on here. I can hand on heart say that Matt’s review was uploaded by another editor so the spelling mistake that forced you to put finger to keyboard and shoot your load was, whilst an oversight, not my oversight.
Whilst my own load was shot not because of Matt’s grammatical errors but because of Matt being called a ‘stupid reviewer’ and then warning people ‘just DO NOT believe this review!’. Most people (who, incidentally, don’t have to give their age just to justify what they say, as if that matters) can read what a reviewer has said and draw their own conclusions as to whether they are the words of a hater or somebody who likes the band but wasn’t keen on the album, or just somebody who has listened and written down what they thought.
And if grammar is your thing, take a look at the first sentence of your last paragraph – you have been listening and writing metal from the last 6 years? Surely you have been listening TO and writing metal FOR the last six years? It may sound petty but if you’re going to go on a public forum to shoot somebody down in flames for their errors, try not to do the same. It somewhat undermines everything else you say.
As ever, thanks for the comments.
@Chris Ward
Thank you, sir. I stand corrected. You are a very observant, insightful and polite person. But in all honesty, “From the last six years” is definitely better than “Half of Blood”.
Anyways, my point is – The album is great. It may be a re-hash but I thought so about Blooddrunk and RRF too, but they later grew onto me. Halo of Blood DOES have that feel and while COB have been more focused on aggression throughout their career, they have added a tad bit more to that apart from the insane musicianship and feel that I am would like to highlight.
Cheers, Mr. Chris. I usually do not quarrel with unknown people. In fact, if you meet me in person, I would like to have a drink with you as you seem to be a decent guy. Nevertheless, I had to make my point and flush out the haters. The band has been getting more hate than it really deserves. Really…
Sir, that is very gracious of you. I would love to take you up on that drink if the situation arises as I’m sure we could generate some healthy discussion about our shared love of metal. Like you I’m not one to leap onto a forum and start a quarrel with a stranger but, also like yourself, if I see something I feel I should respond to then I will.
And I shall start dishing out compulsory floggings for spelling mistakes 😉