Children of Bodom - Hatecrew Deathroll

Children of Bodom can be described as my first rampant love. I will never forget the moment the intro guitars from the song sixpounder hit me like a punch to the celiac plexus. The furious shredding combined with heavy riffs coupled with epic orchestral keyboards and tight and upbeat drums made for one hell of a ride for the then 16-year old nerd.

Today, upon analyzing my taste in music I see clear patterns regarding what type of music that has immediately captivated me. Melodies reminiscent of video-game music, epic orchestral arrangements or cinematic themes and rythmic intensity coupled with variation somehow dazzles me. This melodic extreme metal band from Finland combines all of these elements while keeping it easy to listen to. They utilize screaming vocals, but they are far from center-stage. The vocal lines serve as a spice giving the soup flavor rather than being the main ingredient. Every track is fleshed out with instruments and melodies to the extent that they could in essence be enjoyed instrumentally. While this may somewhat be objectively true the songs wouldn't retain the same charm and attraction without the rough singing. The football mob choirs and the generic screeching of "Woah and Yeah" from the lead vocals add intensity to the melodic passages. Additionally, vocals are undoubtedly a bands most effective way to communicate with an audience. When it comes to popular music we don't see that many headlining instrumental acts now do we?

Before writing this blog entry I was a bit hesitant about which album to choose. I settled with Hatecrew Deathroll mostly because it was my first encounter with Children of Bodom. Their later releases, while good, don't adopt the same intensity and versatility, while the albums prior have sharper melodies and virtuosity. This is why Hate Crew Deathroll always feels the most significant. It can be described as sort of a breaking point between the old and new. It's high tempo songs full of catchy choruses is in my opinion a certain highlight for the band. It will always remain the one album that plunged me straight into a fascination of metal-guitar.

Upon meeting the bands front-man and songwriter Alexi Laiho at the summer festival House of Metal festival in 2005, I told him he was the reason I started playing. To my delight, he seemed quite moved by this statement. This was before their major breakthrough with the album "Are you dead yet?"

If you have managed to miss this rather famous band up until now, this album may be the right place to start. Perhaps you'll prefer the previous albums like Follow the Reaper and Hatebreeder, or possibly the later albums that have launched them into world stardom.
Either way, Children of Bodom has without a doubt been one of the most influential bands for me. It all started with a reaper on a red album-cover containing furious guitars that tore straight into my very soul.

Grooveshark link:
Children of Bodom - Hate Crew Deathroll
Spotify link:
Children of Bodom - Hate Crew Deathroll

Beyond Twilight - Section X

Arguably the album that brought me straight into the world of progressive metal . I had previously been in contact with the genre through friends and band-mates, but artists like Dream Theater and Symphony X didn't resonate with me at that time.

Then I stumbled upon this album while browsing some unholy part of the internet. Immediately it struck a chord (pun intended?) with me. The song-writing is very bold and never hesitates to put in something peculiar into the arrangements. It reminds me of the more odd pieces by queen. The music has a brave outset to never compromise with ideas, no matter how crazy they may seem. To me it differed from the usual "hey, look everyone! we know how to play hard stuff" music compositions.

It's important to note that this band that has rarely (ever?) played live. This gives a musical artist more expressional freedom in a studio setting. Section X is a prime example of this phenomenon. Being a concept album it weaves a story together, from the strange computer voice in the intro track, to the bombastic orchestral arrangements mixed with heavy guitars and drums, and cryptic lyrics touching on subjects concerning the fallacies of the relationship between the human psyche and the subconscious.

The song-writer is clearly inspired by movie-soundtracks. Everything from fantasy, horror to sci-fi is arranged to co-exist in a harsh metal environment. The vocals are on the rough side of the high-pitched power spectrum, with very aggressive choruses. Some songs are more downbeat and showcase more subtle and soft vocals. Contrast is of course always a big element in progressive music, but in some respects perhaps even more-so with Beyond Twilight.

In conclusion; this is not music for everyone. It's a very specific niche of dark progressive metal storytelling. With one part of a track sounding nothing like the next. Like a roller-coaster of dark arrangements. We all know rides can be fun, but for a lot of people it can become too much to handle.

Though take note; I for one love roller-coasters!

Grooveshark-link:

Beyond Twilight - Section X

Spotify-link:

Beyond Twilight – Section X

Power Quest - Master Of Illusion

As my very first entry into this very personal music blog, I present to you one of the tightest and well-sounding power metal albums I've ever heard. It may be cheesy, overly straight-forward and electric-sounding, but without a doubt one of the most anthem-packed albums out there. Each track bursts with it's very own unique charm.

The songs vary in tempo and mood, and change like weather and shifting of the seasons. Sometimes fluently but at other parts unexpectedly, but always to great effect. The tenor vocalist's voice is smooth as silk and keeps delivering tirelessly, and the stunning guitars and keyboards deliver rhythm and melody flawlessly.

One of the reasons I like this album so much in particular is because the instruments and melodies sound as if they came straight out of a video-game. I simply adore the simple, yet complex harmonies and melodies that stick to your brain like chewing gum under your shoe.
The new millennium has brought us wonderful transformations derived from 80's metal and as I would like to think; retro-gaming.

If you are in the mood for a slick, upbeat and slightly cheesy power-metal album, don't hesitate to check it out.

Grooveshark-link:

Power Quest - Master of Illusion