«Hatebreeder» is Children of Bodom’s second album and came out in April 1999 on Nuclear Blast. It follows «Something Wild», with the band more mature and more intricate. At the centre is Alexi Laiho, responsible for the guitars, the vocals and most of the music, along with Alexander Kuoppala on guitar, Henkka Blacksmith on bass, Janne Wirman on keyboards and Jaska Raatikainen on drums.
“`Country: Finland
Style: Melodic Death Metal
For fans of: In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, At the Gates
The record is fast and melodic at the same time: five or six different melodies fit inside a single song, with switches from very slow to very fast passages. The riffs and solos are powerful but highly melodic, Janne Wirman’s keyboards add a distinct colour, and Laiho’s vocals move between the raspy and the cleaner side.
«Warheart» opens the album, while the title track «Hatebreeder», «Silent Night, Bodom Night», «Downfall» and «Towards Dead End» stand out. The songs go by so fast that the record seems to end before you notice.
The production is clean and lets every instrument be heard, and the blend of guitars and keyboards gives the songs a sound that sets them apart from the rest of the field. «Hatebreeder» is one of those albums that needs a second listen to reveal all the work hidden behind the speed.
The album gave Children of Bodom their place at the front of melodic death metal and stayed a reference point for the Finnish sound. Laiho’s technique and the mix of melody and speed became a trademark, influencing dozens of bands that followed. More on the official Children of Bodom page.
See also
In Flames – The Jester Race: the album that shaped Gothenburg’s melodic death metal and Ted Lundström on Amon Amarth’s slow rise: ‘I don’t want us to blow up overnight’.
