CHILDREN OF BODOM - Follow The Reaper

 

CHILDREN OF BODOM - Follow The Reaper

Spinefarm Records

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What a powerful performance on all fronts!  Long live Alexi Laiho!  Just getting to reviewing this now, and wow, what a series of positive melodic death/power metal!  The music on here is epic, I like it a little bit more than 'Hate Crew Deathroll', well...maybe.  I think the compositions on here are sublime.  They really did the listener good with this recording!  The riffs, synthesizers, vocals, drums and production quality is more than adequate!  The tear your speakers apart!  Alexi was great on here rhythm and lead guitars.  I think that this is the most thought out COB release ever.  They tended to go downhill after this.

The music a divine music is what's on here.  They did everything right on this album.  Everything sounds original and to the point riff-writing wise.  I think that it's pretty technical as well.  Fast, ripping, and relentless.  Such a great album.  All was right when they wrote this release.  I think the music is some of most original melodic death metal they've put forth!  I dig the power metal element as well.  They mix the instruments quite well and they are just relentless in terms of the energy!  It's rapid fire music here, and Alexi's vocals are fantastic!  Everything on here hit home with me nothing on here that I'd change.

The sound quality was top notch.  Everyone on here sounded great and like I said I'd change nothing.  It's a divine masterpiece.  They knew exactly what to do with the songwriting.  I don't know why they fell after this.  Maybe the aggregate of fans then they got a little bit lazy perhaps.  With the 'Hate Crew Deathroll' and 'Halo of Blood' I think were good solid albums but not to the equation of excellence that this held forth.  They really did hit a pinnacle release here just wish they didn't regress all up until Alexi's death (RIP).  It's rumored that he had a bad alcohol problem hence the nickname "Wildchild."

So to sum it up, 'Follow the Reaper' is probably the best COB in their entire discography.  They hit home on every track.  The aggression, hatred and vibe is totally sick.  They definitely worked hard on this and what an output!  From every aspect, they conquered.  They didn't do anything wrong on here, simply said: NO MISTAKES.  It's amazing the talent that the band had all up until the end.  It's a sad reality that there will be no more COB.  All we have now is to appreciate the memories by playing this classic and 'Hate Crew Deathroll'.  I'm biased with that one though.  Own this!

Ryan “Death8699” Fanucchi