With their sixth album, Children of Bodom have brought back some of the speed and classical influences that were missing from their last, Are You Dead Yet? The lack of those traits made it the most boring and uninspired sounding album thus far into their career, so to see them back to some degree is certainly welcome. Truth be told, Blooddrunk comes off sounding like a cross between that album’s slower, more controlled style and Hatecrew Death Roll’s (HCDR) speed and flash driven sound.Alexi Laiho’s ax work sounds great as usual, flaying and flying over the fretboard through some killer leads and solos while his lyrics still contain a certain level of cheese; Janne Warmen’s keys have been brought forward more from the last album in a more atmospheric way through the verses and choruses, and duel with Laiho’s guitar in the solo department while the rhythm section of Jaska Raatikainen on drums and Henkka Blacksmith on bass hold down the low end in an adequate fashion.

The problem however is that Blooddrunk is missing those big hooks that HCDR had in abundance that made it so memorable. Songs like the title track, opener “Hellhounds on My Trail”, “Smile Pretty for the Devil”, “Tie My Rope” and “Done With Everything, Die for Nothing” all sound great and get the blood pumping while playing, but after they’ve passed, I’m left not really remembering anything about them. Not so surprisingly, the most memorable track is “Banned From Heaven”, the slowest and most ballad-y like track here, reminiscent of HCDR’s “Angels Don’t Kill”.

All in all, Blooddrunk is Bodom being Bodom, but that’s just it – there’s no progression – just same ol’ same ol’. Each album before Are You Dead Yet? was an improvement and expansion upon their sound, and while that album was certainly an expansion in sound, it just never sat right with me. Blooddrunk sees them moving backwards instead of forward. While this won’t turn me away from the band as I do enjoy the album, I’d rather hear Hatebreeder or HCDR for my Bodom fix until they give us something new.

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