While 2013's Halo of Blood was celebrated for being a return to form after their three previous records, change was still afoot in the Children of Bodom camp, with guitarist Roope Latvala parting ways with the band in May of this year. I Worship Chaos represents the high-profile Finnish melo-death outfit's first record as a four-piece, with shredhead frontman Alexi Laiho assuming all guitar duties across the LP.
Has the lineup change affected their sound in any noticeable fashion? Not really. Laiho is still as technically dazzling as ever in both lead and rhythm positions, with speedy solo sections on "My Bodom (I Am the Only One)" and "Horns" rarely entering the realm of unnecessary six-string wankery. Keyboardist Janne Wirman is equal to the task in his furious soloing, at times teaming up with his bandleader to add an extra dimension to the distorted metal melodies. Breaking up the band's predictable metal onslaught is the mid-tempo stomp of "Morrigan," the slow-burning "Prayer for the Afflicted" and the ballad-esque "All for Nothing."
While they're each a welcome reprieve from the sameness, these moments inadvertently temper any more chaos that could have perhaps been unleashed.
(Nuclear Blast)Has the lineup change affected their sound in any noticeable fashion? Not really. Laiho is still as technically dazzling as ever in both lead and rhythm positions, with speedy solo sections on "My Bodom (I Am the Only One)" and "Horns" rarely entering the realm of unnecessary six-string wankery. Keyboardist Janne Wirman is equal to the task in his furious soloing, at times teaming up with his bandleader to add an extra dimension to the distorted metal melodies. Breaking up the band's predictable metal onslaught is the mid-tempo stomp of "Morrigan," the slow-burning "Prayer for the Afflicted" and the ballad-esque "All for Nothing."
While they're each a welcome reprieve from the sameness, these moments inadvertently temper any more chaos that could have perhaps been unleashed.