Children Of Bodom
A Chapter Called Children Of Bodom – Spinefarm Records
Not many musicians get to the kind of level Alexi Laiho did. As the main composer for Children Of Bodom it was his vision that steered a much loved ship. On December 29th 2020 he passed away at the tragically young age of just 41. This album, a recording of the band’s final performance would be a welcome addition to any fan’s collection if Laiho was still with us. Now though it takes on a special meaning after his loss. It should be viewed as a celebration of his life and that of the band’s achievements. The quality of production matches the high standard of the music. Melodic death metal can be a minefield to navigate. Success doesn’t come easy. So Children Of Bodom should rightly be regarded as masters of their craft. They not only built a strong following but are often credited with bringing new listeners and a new appreciation of heavy music from those that hadn’t given it a chance before. They somehow made death metal accessible to the masses – no mean feat! ‘A Chapter Called Children Of Bodom’ reminds us how fortunate we were to have this band around at all. Above everything it stands as a wonderful tribute to Alexi Laiho. Long may he and the band be remembered.
Review by Gary Trueman