On 29th December 2020 Alexi Laiho passed away, leaving an unsurpassed legacy and a light on over Lake Bodom that illuminates the universe. That is my opinion, I miss this band and to celebrate and honour them we have an eighteen track extravaganza, recorded live at Helsinki Ice Hall in 2019, letting the curtain fall for the last time.
Starting with one of my favourites ‘Under Grass And Clover’ the aural assault is immersive and entrancing. Those fiery frets, intricate harmonies that twist and weave their way into your soul, energising and obliterating everything that is negative and destructive.
No one comes back from the dead, but this concert asserts and confirms the impact and invincibility that COB leave behind.
The twinkling, gothic inspired introduction to ‘Angels Don’t Kill’ moves seamlessly to exhibit a symphony, an explosion, a burst of colour and fragrance, unique to their sound and philosophy. The riffs are incredibly animated, they have a life of their own outside of the song, take for example the work on ‘Follow The Reaper’ fast-paced yet melodic, inclusive of all the elements we are used to hearing. Presenting the whole gamut of lights and shadows, darkness and death, fire and ice all providing their own crepuscular beauty, the twilight is influential, and the dark is magnetic and mesmerising. The factors of a road less travelled are presented in this final night, in an ice hall, preserving the essence and integrity of a much loved band and their hate crew. The slasher movie effects at the beginning of ‘Hate Me!’ is unnerving yet hypnotic as it draws you into their world, I feel the lyrics ‘you never gave me a cure for the pain I feel inside’ are personal and honest, and probably apply to most of us who struggle with their demons, whatever form they take.
This is a comprehensive compilation of what is so great about this band, showcasing their songwriting prowess, their technical ability, structure and arrangement that produces their classic sound and bolsters their reputation and standing in the metal world. I would have however loved to see ‘Morrigan’ on this setlist, I’m not complaining, just my personal preference.
As I lie on the ground discarded and bleeding, I would follow the reaper to where you are, alas I must wait, for throughout the ruins of me I will stir up chaos one more time.
Azra Pathan
Children Of Bodom – A Chapter Called Children Of Bodom out 15th December 2023