Melodic death metal’s long time purveyors of catchy hooks and virtuoso performances Children of Bodom sadly called it a day back in 2019 with their final album Hexed. Following the heart breaking tragic passing of frontman Alexi Laiho in early 2021, the follow up project Bodom After Midnight has likely ended as soon as it began. The world lost one of its true guitar heroes. Rest in Piece Wild Child. Here we shall concentrate on ranking all Children of Bodom albums.
Formed in Espoo, Finland back in 1993, originally as Inearthed before rebranding. They are one of the best selling artists of all time in their home country, with 6 number one albums. Known early on for the neo-classical lead work of Alexi and atypical song structure, they evolved through up tempo, hook filled melodic death metal, to more straight forward in your face melodeath later in their career.
10. Halo of Blood
Straight from the opening track Waste of Skin, it is clear that Children of Bodom are returning to their earlier albums with Halo of Blood. Janne Wirman returns to heaily influence the lead and solo parts with Alexi. This is what we’ve all been waiting for right? After 3 albums of heavy stuff we’re back to Bodom at their melodic best? Well, ironically, by bringing back the heavy melodic influence (some of Halo of Blood is straight up Alice Cooper), they have lost part of what made all their previous albums great – the intangible quality of ‘energy’.
Not something you can measure, it’s an indistinguishable element you can feel throughout, even on the ‘heavier’ albums. In turn it makes this album largely unmemorable. All Twisted is the only real standout track. An interesting thought for another article, how many bands who have returned to their ‘original’ style at the fans request, have actually made a memorable album?
9. Relentless Reckless Forever
It’s fair to say this album is a bit of a mess. Lyrically it’s laughably poor, but who really cares. There are some top quality songs on this album (as always with Children of Bodom), like opening track Not My Funeral and Roundtrip To Hell And Back. However, there’s plenty of unremarkable tracks too. Pussyfoot Miss Suicide sounds a lot like Dead In Hollywood by Murderdolls which is a song I have not heard in a long time!
Largely however it’s not a particularly remarkable album in the context of the normal quality of Bodom albums. Relentless Reckless Forever sits smack bang in the middle of a period in the wilderness for Children of Bodom albums and it shows.
8. I Worship Chaos
It’s a shame that oweing to issue between bandmates (that would ultimately see to the end of the band), the latter stages of Children Of Bodom albums produced mixed quality. Rhythm guitarist Roope Latvala left the band the day after recording started, which is never a good way to start! Compared to some of the barnstorming and critically acclaimed work of their earlier career, I Worship Chaos can’t compete.
However, the unmistakable energy of Bodom at their best is clearly present. Morrigan is super catchy as the lead single form the album. Title track I Worship Chaos was ever present on their live set and full of groove. Ending with a ballad in All for Nothing, and a healthy crabcore breakdown to close out on Widdershins. Bonus points for that!
7. Blooddrunk
Following on from Are You Dead Yet?, Children of Bodom continued with the face melting pumping riffing. It would have been easy here to take any criticism of moving away from their critically acclaimed melodic past and returned to old ways. However they stuck to their guns. Largely a success, there are plenty of excellent tracks on this album.
Opening track Hellhounds on My Trail, title track Blooddrunk, Tie My Rope and Done with Everything, Die for Nothing particularly stand out. Overall however there are many other albums in the Bodom catalogue in which every song is killer.
6. Hexed
In Hexed, Children of Bodom took the best parts of Are You Dead Yet? and Hate Crew Deathroll and combined them. Not quite as good as either of them, but a great album none the less. Straight off, This Road and Under Grass and Clover are chocked full of hooks and riffs. Hecate’s Nightmare is equal parts creepy and groovy. Modern day Angels Don’t Kill.
Platitudes and Baron Words is the standout track on the album. Knukleduster, sounding straight out of Are You Dead Yet? closes out the album. It’s a shame this is where Children of Bodom ended. But they have left us with an amazing discography.
5. Something Wild
At just 32 minutes and 7 tracks, Children of Bodom announced themselves on the scene with a deliberate case of showing off just how talented they are. 1998’s Something Wild doesn’t flow particularly well, just is the nature of the progressive and unorthodox method of song writing. But by beard of Odin every track is exceptional. All killer no filler. Which for a debut album written and performed by teenagers is astounding.
Lake Bodom and Touch Like Angel of Death are still present in with the most popular Bodom songs today. Red Light In My Eyes Pt.1 and Pt.2 transition multiple times throughout and is one of the best 1-2 punch’s on any metal album. A classic album that brought Bodom to the world of metal.
4. Are You Dead Yet?
A turning point for Children of Bodom. The keyboards took a very difference approach on Are You Dead Yet? Sitting more in the background and providing fills and additional touches. This album also presents the transition to Bodom being a truly international band, breaking through in America for the first time.
Opening track Living Dead Beat is the only track with a keyboard based intro. The way this album favours a hard hitting, metalcore style served in simultaneously turning off the loyal fans of early, and bringing in an entire new era of Bodom fans. I have to say, being an OG Bodom fan myself, it took a while to grow on me. However, taken in the spirit it is intended (rather than holding on to the melodic past) this is a terrific album. Comfortably their heaviest album, In Your Face and the title track Are You Dead Yet? still featured on every Bodom live setlist until their last.
3. Hate Crew Deathroll
After Follow the Reaper brought the melodic side of Children of Bodom to the forefront, Hate Crew Deathroll turned up the face pummelling riffage. Opening track Needled 24/7 kicks things off at breakneck speed. From there there is more of a mid tempo chugging feel, with melodic lines expertly intertwined. Angels Don’t Kill brings the creepy Slayer vibes.
Janne Wirman‘s keyboard skills on full display throughout this album. I don’t hesitate to say that Children of Bodom were the forefront leaders of infusing keyboard rhythm and lead into heavy metal. At just 36 minutes it is their shortest album since their debut. To me it feels a lot like Reign In Blood (another famously short album). Fast, brutal and over in a flash. But begs for repeated listening.
2. Follow the Reaper
Released in 2000, when rock and metal was dominated by post-grunge and nu-metal, Follow the Reaper brought out the very best of the melodic side of Children of Bodom. Straight from the opening track Follow the Reaper showcases the clear influence of 80s glam metal on this album. By turning down the neo-classical wizardry just a touch, and placing an even bigger focus on catchy hooks this is a much more approachable album.
Such is the influence and recognisability of this album they chose the second track Bodom After Midnight to be the name of Children of Bodom 2.0. Every track on this album could make it’s case to be their best song. The album flows perfectly start to finish. It is the first time Bodom brought the singalong vibes. It is impossible not to sing along to Hate Me!
1. Hatebreeder
After announcing themselves on the scene with the forward thinking song writing and technical proficiency of their debit album, Children of Bodom put out a hall of fame calibre album in Hatebeeder. Keeping the same traits that made Something Wild special, but constructing a more well rounded album with significantly better flow.
Silent Night, Bodom Night, Bed of Razors and their self titled track are staples of a Bodom best of list. Closing track Downfall remained their perennial closing live set piece throughout their entire career. The perfect combination of musicality, technicality and youthful exuberance. This album sits atop the Children of Bodom albums ranking for good reason. The fact many of these songs remained on their live shows all throughout their career show the longevity and popularity this album endured.
Check out the year in review with best metal albums and metal songs of 2020.
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