The Non-prog review Blog - Progressive Rock Music Forum

I will Start with my review for Children of Bodom's debut album "Something Wild"

I swear that key solo in track 3 is Beethoven...

Children of Bodom's debut album is something tasty. Yes! This is tasty metal, from the riffing, to the death metal drumming that DOESN'T rely on endless monotonous blast beating to have a good time.

Starting off with the cheesy movie and sound clips that lead into Key slamming guitar punch. This feels like it puts power back into metal, with a solid bottom end that doesn't bottom out. The thick riffing and heavy distortion is standard fare, but the melodic lines that creep in are very fine. Not to mention the keyboard breaks go a long way to give this band an identity of their own, that is sorely missed in most standard Death metal acts of the day. Fist pumping in divine extremis, In The Shadows has some of the most intricate melody lines interspersed amidst the seeming cacophony, that you can quite possibly get lost in the work. Laiho's vocals are in the Schuldiner school, and follow a "rip 'em high" death growl/snarl.

Red Light in My Eyes Pt 1 has such a fantastic opening riff, that leads into a soft and accentuated break. These guys feel like an 80's metal act in overdrive. I mean that in the best way. There is a bit of cheese inherent to what these fellows do, but it doesn't detract form the musical ideas that are perused in detail. Each song feels as if it explores the musical ideas presented in full. What I mean, is that nothing seems to overextend its welcome, nor do any of the songs give the aura of being incomplete. This is a cohesive album, even if it lacks any real diversity. And those solos are superb.

Laiho has a good death growl, but it seems a bit mundane on this their first release. Look to their later work for him to reach into Chuck-dom complete. But first finish this album, because the introduction to Pt 2 is straight out of a Malmsteen record. Again, I mean that in a good way. In fact, I'd wager these guys watched a marathon of 80's movies, listened to as many of the cheesiest 80's metal albums, and then took the post Wakeman keyboard sensation and ground everythign together with a deathly inflection. Like opening an 80's time capsule and finding a skeleton buried with everything else.

Again, the album isn't very diverse, aside from the seemingly endless 80's references they pull out. But, you'll be pumping your fist and banging your head the whole time. Lake Bodom has one of the catchiest keyboard lines wrapped around a thick guitar riff. An album highlight. Whilst The Nail, with its clip introduction continues where the previous track left off. This is the only real musical stumbing point for the album, as the musical idea goes on for a bit too long, here. Again, the album's diversity is sorely lacking, but it is supplemented by the short running time (little over half an hour), and the sheer force at which they strike.

The album also seems a bit sloppy at times. With certain melodies faltering, or the drumming becoming a bit too repetitive here or there. They synth might throw some off, but it is really good if you dig that sound or can look past the pomp. The album never loses its epic edge, and never suffers form actual filler. Each song, while quite the same as the other songs, is never boring. Again, Laiho's vocal delivery is not as refined as it would be in future releases, but it is a solid form for this style. Touch Like an Angel of Death ends the album nicely, with the vocals showing a bit of shifting. It isn't much different from anything else here, but it leaves off on such a furious note.

In all, the album is stomping metal through and through. The melodic lines are great, and they don't ever bore. The band members are quite skilled, but seem a bit sloppy at times, and there is almost no diversity or atmosphere alterations to be found. An excellent debut.

Best Song - Lake Bodom (for that keyboard line... mmmm)

Worst Song - The Nail, but that reference is still cool...

***1/2 Stars. I see great things ahead.

Tell me if you think this idea is worth a damn. Also, I didn't find anything about it in the search function. So, I hope I'm not being redundant.

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Alitare Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: March 08 2008 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 3595	Topic: The Non-prog review Blog Posted: May 03 2009 at 23:38
	This is a place of sanctuary. Say you want to review an album, but it isn't on progarchives, and trying to get them added is a complete and abject failure, well, post it here! Post any reviews you'd like to share form any album that can't be found, here. I'd still prefer (as well as with the admins) that you'd follow the basic guidelines of reviewing. But don't feel like you have to lower a review score because it isn't too progressive. Be open minded and have fun.

Alitare Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: March 08 2008 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 3595	Posted: May 03 2009 at 23:40
	I will Start with my review for Children of Bodom's debut album "Something Wild" I swear that key solo in track 3 is Beethoven... Children of Bodom's debut album is something tasty. Yes! This is tasty metal, from the riffing, to the death metal drumming that DOESN'T rely on endless monotonous blast beating to have a good time. Starting off with the cheesy movie and sound clips that lead into Key slamming guitar punch. This feels like it puts power back into metal, with a solid bottom end that doesn't bottom out. The thick riffing and heavy distortion is standard fare, but the melodic lines that creep in are very fine. Not to mention the keyboard breaks go a long way to give this band an identity of their own, that is sorely missed in most standard Death metal acts of the day. Fist pumping in divine extremis, In The Shadows has some of the most intricate melody lines interspersed amidst the seeming cacophony, that you can quite possibly get lost in the work. Laiho's vocals are in the Schuldiner school, and follow a "rip 'em high" death growl/snarl. Red Light in My Eyes Pt 1 has such a fantastic opening riff, that leads into a soft and accentuated break. These guys feel like an 80's metal act in overdrive. I mean that in the best way. There is a bit of cheese inherent to what these fellows do, but it doesn't detract form the musical ideas that are perused in detail. Each song feels as if it explores the musical ideas presented in full. What I mean, is that nothing seems to overextend its welcome, nor do any of the songs give the aura of being incomplete. This is a cohesive album, even if it lacks any real diversity. And those solos are superb. Laiho has a good death growl, but it seems a bit mundane on this their first release. Look to their later work for him to reach into Chuck-dom complete. But first finish this album, because the introduction to Pt 2 is straight out of a Malmsteen record. Again, I mean that in a good way. In fact, I'd wager these guys watched a marathon of 80's movies, listened to as many of the cheesiest 80's metal albums, and then took the post Wakeman keyboard sensation and ground everythign together with a deathly inflection. Like opening an 80's time capsule and finding a skeleton buried with everything else. Again, the album isn't very diverse, aside from the seemingly endless 80's references they pull out. But, you'll be pumping your fist and banging your head the whole time. Lake Bodom has one of the catchiest keyboard lines wrapped around a thick guitar riff. An album highlight. Whilst The Nail, with its clip introduction continues where the previous track left off. This is the only real musical stumbing point for the album, as the musical idea goes on for a bit too long, here. Again, the album's diversity is sorely lacking, but it is supplemented by the short running time (little over half an hour), and the sheer force at which they strike. The album also seems a bit sloppy at times. With certain melodies faltering, or the drumming becoming a bit too repetitive here or there. They synth might throw some off, but it is really good if you dig that sound or can look past the pomp. The album never loses its epic edge, and never suffers form actual filler. Each song, while quite the same as the other songs, is never boring. Again, Laiho's vocal delivery is not as refined as it would be in future releases, but it is a solid form for this style. Touch Like an Angel of Death ends the album nicely, with the vocals showing a bit of shifting. It isn't much different from anything else here, but it leaves off on such a furious note. In all, the album is stomping metal through and through. The melodic lines are great, and they don't ever bore. The band members are quite skilled, but seem a bit sloppy at times, and there is almost no diversity or atmosphere alterations to be found. An excellent debut. Best Song - Lake Bodom (for that keyboard line... mmmm) Worst Song - The Nail, but that reference is still cool... ***1/2 Stars. I see great things ahead. Tell me if you think this idea is worth a damn. Also, I didn't find anything about it in the search function. So, I hope I'm not being redundant.

Kotro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: August 16 2004 Location: Portugal Status: Offline Points: 2815	Posted: May 04 2009 at 07:12
	I must confess I had pondered opening a topic just like this, but not "just for fun". I think the PA forum, with its diversity of members and their musical knowlage beyond the scope of prog could and should be used appropriatly. I'm thinking this topic should be moved to General Music Discussions and sticked there. Probably use the first post as a reference Index for all reviews to be posted there. Just my two cents.
	Bigger on the inside.