Children Of Bodom's Reviews

Follow the Reaper

(Average Rating: 9.40 out of 10)

Bubble gum euro-pop on crack.

(Rated this album with 2 out of 10)
Reviewed by katarjedi from USA

Reading these reviews, I began to suspect FtR was a masterpiece. After listening to the album, I don't think FtR merits the hype. I almost gave 2 stars because the guitarist is extremely skilled.

If you slow down the drums, FtR sounds like pop music. "Children of Decadence" is based on the same riff as Blue - Dabadee. They recycle that riff again at 2:25 in "Northern Comfort". If you listen to what is happening underneath the metallic surface, the underlying musical progressions are akin to generic pop music. The chorus to "Hellion" is a generic pop progression, much like the rest of the album.

I dont like the vocals, which sound like the girl from Exorcist. I prefer my death vocals to have more bass range instead of fingernails on chalkboard. But I could live with this if the riffage were more interesting.

This album lacks the inventive and dissonant riffage that marks truly great heavy metal. Don't tell me that FtR is "over my head" or that I "don't get it". Believe me, I "get it". This album is pretty standard thrash. It doesnt break any new ground. In my opinion, Metallica's "And Justice for All" set the standard for this genre, and FtR doesnt even come close.

Buy this album on Amazon at $14.99