den_inte_dod's Full Review: Are You Dead Yet? [PA] by Children Of Bodom
When I first discovered the Finnish metal band Children of Bodom, I was impressed. I began to buy more of their albums, and get to know them a little better. Around the summer of 2005, I was told that they were releasing a new album. I couldn't wait until the day that it came out, for I had no clue what these guys had in store for us fans. However, I started to hear bad things about the album, such as, "It isn't as good as their older stuff!", and so on. When I listened to the album for the first time, I knew that Children of Bodom were taking a path that doesn't look too good for their music.
CHILDREN OF BODOM:
Alexi Laiho:Vocals & Guitars Henka T. Blacksmith:Bass Janne Jameson Warman:Keyboards Roope Ukk Latvala:Guitars Jaska W. Raatikainen:Drums
You may have noticed that former guitarist Alexander Kuoppala had been replaced by the new guitarist, Roope Latvala. I must say that I do not think the guitar work on this album is as good as previous albums of theirs. Anyways, the opening track "Living Dead Beat" begins in a way that you wouldn't really expect C.o.B. to open up with. Instead of whispering words that are wisely spoken that blast off into extremely heavy music, it starts with a few slow hits from the drums and then works its way up from that. Overall, this isn't a song of theirs that I like, and that kind of worried me about what the rest of the album would be like.
The self titled track "Are You Dead Yet?" isn't too impressive either, but it it better than the opening track. It begins with an unclear guitar riff that definitely becomes clear as vocalist Alexi Laiho launches a piercing scream. One thing that I truly do not like about this song is the verses, in which Alexi sings in a choppy way. Every now and then, you can hear the keyboards play along with the rest of the music, which makes it a little more appealing.
"If you want Peace, Prepare for War" is one of the better tracks on the album, but you can still point out the differences between this and their earlier albums. When Alexi powerfully shouts "GO!", then the heavy music flows into your ears in a way that shows some hope in the rest of the album. It is neat as the other band members chant along the song's title, and then without wasting time, goes into a solo of Alexi's.
"In Your Face" is a rather lame track title, and overall it is not too good of a song. However, I must say that I think that the keyboarding tune at the beginning of the song sounds pretty good. The chorus of the song is very disappointing, for both the sound of it and the lyrics. Alexi explains:
"It's my world...You're in it...
It'll take ya down in a minute!"
"Trashed, Lost, & Strungout" is in fact one of the songs that got me into Children of Bodom's music. I had no clue that this track would be put on this album and I was surprised, for it had been out for a long time. It is a good song of theirs, and it stands out from most of the other stuff on this album. It begins with a faint guitar riff that turns into madness as Jaska Raatikainen pounds on the double bass pedal with much skill. Alexi performs an interesting guitar solo just before the chorus erupts into your ears for the first time.
"We're Not Gonna Fall" is one of the shorter tracks on the album, and I hate to admit it, but I was kind of glad. It begins with a guitar riff that really makes you ask yourself the question, "Is this Children of Bodom???". Shortly after that puny riff, you begin to hear Janne play his keyboards fleetly and with much skill. I guess you can say that Janne saved the intro from being totally disappointing. Of course, Alexi cannot leave you with no solo in this track, so be expecting one around the 3 minute range of the song.
For the closing track of this average but disappointing album, Children of Bodom did a cover of the Ramones' classic, "Somebody Put Something in my Drink". It seems as if at the end of each album of theirs, they do a cover song, and hey, I think that is pretty neat. Anyways, Alexi quickly starts to sing after Jaska does a few hits of the drums. Alexi doesn't really sing like he usually does in this song, and I'm guessing that he's trying to make the song the best he can by sort of changing his vocal style. The guitar solo around the middle of the song is performed by none other than Alexi, and quickly after, they return to the chorus, where there are assisting back up vocals from the other guys in the band.
Although this album isn't nearly as good as their previous ones, there are a few tracks that stand out from the other puny ones. Hey, and if you just happen to have an extra fifteen dollars to spend, you might as well spend it on Children of Bodom's latest, Are You Dead Yet?
TRACK LISTING:
1.Living Dead Beat 2.Are You Dead Yet? 3.If you Want Peace...Prepare for War 4.Punch Me I Bleed 5.In Your Face 6.Next in Line 7.Bastards of Bodom 8.Trashed, Lost & Strungout 9.We're Not Gonna Fall
BONUS TRACK:
10.Somebody Put Something in my Drink (Ramones cover)
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