CoC : Children of Bodom - Hate Crew Deathroll : Review

Children of Bodom - _Hate Crew Deathroll_
(Spinefarm, 2003)
by: Quentin Kalis (7.5 out of 10)

Children of Bodom are a good example of bands that inspire extreme reactions in metal fans worldwide. One school of thought derides them as irritating, commercial metal, while others love them for their uncomplicated, catchy riffs and overall 'happy' sound. _Hate Crew Deathroll_ will not affect this division in any meaningful manner, as it can hardly be considered substantially different from any previous release by Alex Laiho and company. There are some less obvious differences in comparison with previous releases, however: _HCD_ is easily their heaviest outing ever and the keyboards are infrequent and less overbearing in comparison to previous albums. Highlights include the album's first single, "You're Better off Dead", which lacks the anthemic power of a "Hate Me!" but still remains a powerful and infectious song. Song titles are atrocious -– titles such as "Triple Corpse Hammerblow" and "Lil' Bloodred Riding Hood" might be acceptable on the debut of a young band, but what excuse, if any, do these veterans of three previous albums have? Even their cover image shows their answer to Eddie, the Grim Reaper, in a cheesier pose than ever before. For those few who are not familiar with Children of Bodom, if you hated Dimmu Borgir's _Stormblast_ or anything by Old Man's Child because of their uplifting sound, then stay far, far away from _HCD_.

(article published 22/7/2003)

CHATS
8/12/1999	A Bromley	Children of Bodom: The Chil'Un Must Rise
1/16/1999	A McKay	Children of Bodom: Wild Child

ALBUMS
4/19/2011	J Carbon	4	Children of Bodom - Relentless Reckless Forever
5/13/2001	A Wee	7	Children of Bodom - Follow the Reaper
6/15/1999	A Bromley	6	Children of Bodom - Hatebreeder
7/8/1998	B Meloon	8	Children of Bodom - Something Wild

GIGS
11/29/2006	J Smit	Slayer / In Flames / Lamb of God / Children of Bodom	Hung, Drawn & Quartered