Band:	Children Of Bodom
Album:	Hatebreeder
Style:	Extreme power metal
Release date:	April 26, 1999
Guest review by:	Arian Totalis

01. Warheart
02. Silent Night, Bodom Night
03. Hatebreeder
04. Bed Of Razors
05. Towards Dead End
06. Black Widow
07. Wrath Within
08. Children Of Bodom
09. Downfall
10. No Commands [Stone cover] [2008 re-release bonus]
11. Aces High [Iron Maiden cover] [2008 re-release bonus]

From now on we are enemies, you and I.
What a great opening statement to a great album. Hatebreeder is Children Of Bodom's second album, and was released two years after their debut release, "Something Wild." However, Hatebreeder is considered to be by many a Children Of Bodom fan their best work. That is because it is riddled with Neo-classical passages, great guitar and keyboard melodies, flawless technique and outstanding musicianship. I have no idea why this album is called Hatebreeder, besides it being the title track, because I love it, and it certainly breeds no hatred within me.

Like I said, I love this album. It's insanely catchy and railroads itself all the way through. All the rhythms, vocals, compositions, everything is almost without flaw. One thing that particularly tickles my fancy though, is the harmonies with the guitars and keyboard. I love how they play together in different octaves, using a variety of scales and arpeggios. The lead work on the album is also very nice, as there are an insane number of memorable solos, also coupled with keyboard melodies. I would use a song as an example for this, but I can't, as every single song on the album retains that characteristic.

The rhythm section on the album is very well done as well. Something that is usually overlooked in Children Of Bodom is the solidarity that they incorporate behind all of the melodies and harmonies of which they are best known for. The rhythm guitar for this album is quite creative, and that is one pain I will always feel with the loss of Alexander Kuopala. He locks into each root of the harmony in a scale so he creates a solid background for the music to stand on. He also got creative with chord progressions, and went beyond the simplicity of a power chord. The drums are of course fantastic. With Jaaska on drums, it can't be helped but add to the catchiness of the album. He used great double bass technique, and the cymbal work is magnificant as well. The bass for the album is mediocre, but what do you expect from most melody heavy solo crazy metal bands? This however, does not mean that we are completely at a loss here. There are a few songs that have good bass intros and interludes. Some examples of this are the songs "Warheart" and "Downfall." Warheart has a fast paced bass intro right as the song picks up, and Warheart has a very prominent and creeping bass line when it makes a transition to the chorus. Yes indeed, the Children Of Bodom rhythm section is not to be overlooked.

The album is very good, and I would suggest it to any melo-death or extreme power metal fan. If you're in the mood for catchy riffs, good harmonies, and well produced rhythms, then I would pick it up ASAP.

Album Highlights: Silent Night Bodom Night, Bed Of Razors, Black Widow, Downfall.