Are You Dead Yet? [PA] (CD - 2005)

Children of Bodom: Alexi Laiho (vocals, guitar); Roope Ukk Latvala (guitars); Janne Jameson Warman (keyboards); Henkka T Blacksmith (bass instrument); Jaska Raatikainen (drums).

Audio Mixer: Mikko Karmila.

Recording information: Astia Studios (05/2004-05/2005); Finnox, East-Helsinki, Finland (05/2004-05/2005); Hastfittan Studios, East-Helsinki, Finland (05/2004-05/2005).

Photographer: Toni Härkönen.

Edging up on its 10-year anniversary, Finnish metallers Children of Bodom have almost completely traded in their black metal roots for the sort of chunky, melodic action that many screamo acts built their entire sounds around. ARE YOU DEAD YET? doesn't hang up Children of Bodom's fondness for unrelenting aggression, but with the emphasis on clear, dramatic leads, slower rhythms, and garish novelties like their cover of the Ramones' "Somebody Put Something In My Drink," the band is enacting the sort of career change here that's intended to gain a much wider audience.

With the presence of brutal riffs and keyboards, Finland's Children of Bodom sounds at times like Fear Factory fronted by a hardcore screamer, especially on their 2005 release, Are You Dead Yet? The group's fifth studio album (which was co-produced by Children of Bodom and Mikko Karmila, the chap who produced their previous outing, 2003's Hate Crew Deathroll) shows the quintet plowing full steam ahead, as the venom continues to bubble to the surface throughout. But the group also has an unmistakable prog metal edge to boot, as the tricky interplay between guitarist Alexi Wildchild Laiho (who also doubles as vocalist) and keyboardist Janne Warmen on "Punch Me I Bleed" certainly brings to mind Dream Theater. And since it's nearly impossible to hear any new European metal band from the mid-'90s onward and not hear an unmistakable Iron Maiden influence, the guitar work between Laiho and Roope Latvala in "Bastards of Bodom" certainly brings to mind Dave Murray and Adrian Smith. Although they may often be lumped in with the majority of other European "extreme metal" bands, there is definitely a progressive air that surrounds Children of Bodom. ~ Greg Prato minimize