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this album is...i cant even explain it. this is so good. i thought it would be hard to over come HCDR, but i was wrong. this is by far better than that. this is more melodic, but yet more brutal. its hard to say exactly what it is, but i think i just told you the best way you can describe it.

my advise to you is to buy this album as soon as possible. after listening to this, it becomes clear to me that cob is a very important band that will probly stay with me forever. and has greatly changed my guitar style from such metallica-styled solos to more like these less tapping and melodic, yet brutal solos. trully a masterpiece.

i also recomend HCDR, because thats awesome as well.


Children of Bodom deserve your attention   August 11, 2005
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I've always liked Children of Bodom. Ever since I first heard the opening lines to Warhearts back in the day I've been a fan. "From now on we are enemies, you and I." Of all the albums CoB have released this is probably their best, as it was released before they experienced the massive influx of fans that they now have. The sound is true Bodom without other influences. Children of Bodom's combination of sweeping keyboards, hyperspeed guitars and solid rhythm section truly make Hatebreeder an album to remember.

Alexi Laiho, despite looking like a girly pretty boy much of the time, is a metal machine, belting out his signature vocals and guitar runs with pinpoint precision. You have to admire him for his love of music, as he dropped out of school to play in his own band he created. Now this might have some sort of correlation with the lyrics... I don't know if it's because English is not his native language (although he does love the word f*cking, which you would conclude if you have ever seen them live) or because his education in school was limited, but CoB's lyrics for the most part are pretty shallow and ridiculous. I really like the thrash influences Alexi puts into the guitar parts, as the shredding really goes well with the scales and melodic solos that are dispersed throughout the songs.

I'm not a fan of keyboard in most bands (for example I'm not a huge Nightwish fan) but for the most part CoB uses them properly. It does bug me, however, when they use effects to make the keyboards sound like a guitar. If you want to have a guitar sound, play a guitar instead of simulating one. That's the same reason real drummers are better than drum machines. You just can't imitate the real thing.

The bass playing on the album is a definite high point, and I love it when bands give the bass an empty space for them to showcase their sound. There aren't many things cooler than a naked bass line at super speed. Bass has always been a strong point in Children of Bodom, from Something Wild all the way up to Hatecrew Deathroll (or Trashed, Lost, & Strung Out, if you consider EP's)

It's really hard to classify CoB under just one category. Some call them Black Metal, (which they are not, although they have influences) while others say they are Melodic Death (also possible, as they play with melodies and keyboards a lot.) Personally I don't know where to place them. (Their CD's are between Immortal's and Nile's in my CD collection, if that makes any sense.)

The CD is a little on the short side, with only 9 songs coming in at 38:06. This is fine though, as CD's like this (much like Slayer's Reign in Blood) tend to work best when they are not to long. 38 minutes gives you enough time to thoroughly enjoy what the album has to offer, but not so long that it gets boring and repetitive. Usually I enjoy the shorter albums (30-50 minutes) more, as that prevents the album from getting repetitive and boring (this is still possible if the band sucks...) Epic albums do have a place in metal however, but the sound, the setting, and the mood all have to be properly implemented to ensure a memorable experience.

I highly recommend this album to everybody who has been sitting on the fence deciding whether or not to listen to Children of Bodom. If you want pure CoB, give this album a chance. If you want to start with something a little more easily accessible though, I suggest giving Hatecrew Deathroll a shot first.

\m/ Enjoy


Great Metal   September 12, 2005
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is one of the best CD purchases I have ever made.

Where to start? All of the songs are noteworthy. Every single one. And that is RARE. Alexi is one of the best guitarists of the new generation. He does vocals, too, which is amazing since (as any guitarist and aspiring vocalist would know) you have to concentrate less on guitar playing (it is very hard to do). A+

Hatebreeder blends awesome riffs and blistering speed to make some very stunning songs, with complex guitar leads followed by unusual bass lines and drum rhythms. Not so melodic as the later album Follow the Reaper, but this album makes up for it with raw emotional power.

Children of Bodom's best album by far. Get this album if you want an introduction to Children of Bodom, or are an already dedicated fan who has yet to pick this up.

Nothing less than 5 stars!


Bach on speed   August 17, 2000
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Children of Bodom manage to make baroque music fun and headbang-able. I do not find any particular Iron Maiden influence, actually; I think they differ from other Nordic melodic extreme metal bands (In Flames, Dark Tranquillity) in that respect. This is pure fast, cerebral baroque music set to heavy metal instrumentation and harsh, wild vocals. The music is reasonably complex, but more in the harmonic sense than in the rhythmic department. What can be said is that it has an inimitable sense of melody. You will find yourself involved in this music straightaway, and it is impossible to divert one's attention wholly until the album has run its course. It is "catchy" and "entertaining," yes, but this is intelligent entertainment (whatever the silly title of the CD). Your mind (and body) will respond to its compelling intricacies. The only complaint I have about this CD is that it is too short, clocking in at under 40 minutes. A few more molten tracks of "death classical" (as I like to call it) genius and this could compete with Nevermore's "Dreaming Neon Black" for album of 1999.


Approved.   March 31, 2005
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

The dueling guitar/keyboard solo on 'Hatebreeder' itself is worth the money. Along with that, 'Warheart', 'Bed of Razors', 'Black Widow', and 'Downfall' are also ass-kicking songs.

All it took for me to fall madly in love with this Finnish f_ckers was a sample off of Follow The Reaper's 'Hate Me!'. Been listening for three years and my only regrets are that I didn't find out about the Boys of Bodom sooner!