For most people, metal is just loud noise, men with longer hair than their sisters and out-of-control metal riffs. Finnish metal-heads Children of Bodom encompass of these stereotypical metal traits and more.
Children of Bodom (COB) has brought metal to new heights with its metal genre of “thrash” metal and “fantasy” metal. What is fantasy metal? It is heavy metal rock, with out-of-this-world guitar riffs and solos that would blow anyone’s mind.
The band is made up of Alexi “Wildchild” Laiho (guitar/vocals), Janne Warman (keyboards), Jaska Raatikainen (drums), Henkka Blacksmith (bass) and Roope Latvala (guitar).
According to the COB Web site, the band formed back in 1993 and released its first record “Something Wild” in 1997 and quickly went to No. 1 on the Finnish music charts. Since then, COB has released five major albums and toured the world.
The band’s newest release, “Stockholm Knockout Live,” (2006) is a live recording with two whole CDs full of the band’s best music. “Stockholm” is also available on DVD for those of you would want more of a visual onslaught of metal madness.
Also, according to the COB Web site, the name “Children of Bodom” comes from one of the biggest murder mysteries it Finland. Four teenagers went camping near Lake Bodom back in 1960 and were all stabbed, with only one survivor. The murders were never solved.
Speaking to Janne Warman was an interesting experience. Warman has one of the heaviest accents I have ever heard, but seemed upbeat about the band’s U.S. tour.
With most metal sounding repetitive, it can be hard for metal rockers today to differentiate themselves from other bands.
“We’ve combined a lot of different styles,” Warman said. “All of the keyboards makes us different.”
One of Warman’s favorite songs to play live is “Living Dead Beat” from the album “Are You Dead Yet?,” and it is the first track on “Stockholm Knockout Live.” The song begins with melodic synthesizers from Warman and slowly speeds up into heavy metal riffs. The song then gets heavier with more metal breakdowns and growling vocals from Laiho.
The entire live album “Stockholm” is a must for any metalhead and it will surely make your ears bleed.
Warmen said that the band plans to record a new album in 2007 and that there is no new tour planned yet for the new year. If you haven’t seen COB yet, this weekend will be your only chance, at least for a while.
Children of Bodom will perform on Dec. 7 at the House of Blues in Anaheim and Dec. 9 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles.
