Search - Children of Bodom :: Something Wild

Not the best, but a brilliant debut nonetheless

Chris 'raging bill' Burton | either Kent or Manchester, United Kingdom | 09/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Children Of Bodom fan for a long time now. I have all their other albums, but for whatever reason its taken me forever to get this album, their debut. And quite why its taken me this long, I don't know, because this album is just as brilliant as all their other stuff. Children of Bodom really are one of the best metal bands around at the moment, and this proves it perfectly well.



Something Wild is a somewhat rougher album by them. The production is a little rawer, but by no means bad, and the music is definately heavier, faster and somewhat edgier as well. I get the feeling that they tried to return to this sound to some extent on Hatecrew Deathroll, after the catchy, melodic, 80s sound of Follow The Reaper, but this album brimming with much more energy. But don't be fooled into thinking that isn't melodic either. Something Wild is just as full of hooks and melody as Follow The Reaper and Hatebreeder.



For those of you who aren't familiar with Children Of Bodom, they combine Malmsteen-esque neo-classical 80's metal with catchy, even poppy hooks but also with a modern, much heavier and thrashier edge. For those of you who don't like raspy vocals, Children Of Bodom are not really the band for you, though they could also be the band to convert you. Alexi Laiho is, as always, brilliant. His ability as a guitarist is frightening considering his age at this point, and he is definately one of the best lead guitarists in metal today.



I can't really think of much more to say. I still think Follow The Reaper is their best album to date, but this is just as good a place to start with them as any."

The beginning of Bodom

Jack C_01 | 01/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Children of Bodom's debut release is far more melodic death metal than anything they would release later. Although the phrase commonly used to describe them is melodic death, without the harsh vocals delivered by Alexi Laiho they are closer to power or speed metal. This album however is closer to death metal than their others, and there are also tinges of black metal such as on In The Shadows. This isn't as good as the two that would follow it, Hatebreeder and Follow The Reaper, their sound is less refined and developed, but there are still some great songs. Laiho's rasping vocals fit the music perfectly even though his guitar work isn't as prominent as on later releases, and there is more classical influence here. Red Light In My Eyes part 2 takes some of its tune from Mozart's Symphony no. 25.



The first two tracks are good, but it's the two Red Light In My Eyes songs that really hold your attention. The intro to the first part is great and it contains some parts you can really hum along to, and the second part is no less good, the Mozart tune opens the track and it also contains some memorable parts. As a double act the two songs are great and fit together well, and once the second part ends another of the best songs on the album begins, Lake Bodom. The fantasy/power metal style beginning draws you in and it contains probably the best guitar solo on the CD, COB's later albums are made up of tracks similar to this one. The Nail contains an intro speech from Nightmare on Elm Street 2 and it's another solid track, the longest here, and Touch Like Angel of Death rounds things off, it's another headbanging frenzy with more classical-inspired keyboards. The album is short in length, but what's here is great, only just behind the next two they would release and worthy of five stars.



Stand-outs: Red Light In My Eyes 1+2, Lake Bodom, The Nail

"

Sick Axe Attacks~Definitely pick up

Crystal | USA | 11/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Holy crap, the first time I heard this I just about wet myself. Okay, seriously though, Alexi is SICK. His innovativeness rivals that of Iommi, merely for the simple fact that NOBODY has done that before, nor sounds anything like him. You can clearly hear his roots are from listening to old school (real) metal like Maiden and Priest, and obviously, classical. HOLY CRAP. Deadnight Warrior, hands down, best song on the disc. Great opening track. Pick this up, you will buy every COB CD afterwards. I did. I started with Hatebreeder (Killer CD), got this one, then the other two. You won't be disappointed.

"