Intense Euro-goth-metal; MASSIVE guitar solos that are way too tricky not to be appreciated; The dual guitars compete and push each other through some seriously intricate movements. "Children of Bodom" also employ some of the most drano-bleached vocalists ever to spit on a microphone. Just this side of inaudible, singer Alexi Wildchild Laitho scrapes out lyrics that encompass the typical dark metal subjects (War, death, religion, the Reaper, "the razor caressed your flesh and your arms turned red"). Also, one must ask the question. "How much Crystal Meth does the drummer do?" - seriously - one would have to be on drugs to maintain the bullet speeds of drummer Jaska Raatikainen. The double-bass is unrelenting. And to thicken the dual axe attack (I know that's a cheesy 80's phrase, but there is definitely a somewhat 80's mentality needed to appreciate "Children of Bodom") is the gothic church sounding keyboard element draped sporadically throughout this release that, at times, is capable of setting the instrument on fire with the sheer friction generated by these speeds (I've NEVER heard keyboard solos with that demon wail tempo). Speedy speedy grindcore type stuff with that Euro-metal thought process.

The main drawback I can hear is that raspy delivery of the vocalist. Fans of this type of metal are usually pretty forgiving in the vocal prowess department, but when laid against the sheer technical proficiency and command of their instruments that the other members of "Children of Bodom" display, the singer is by far the weak link in the use of his "instrument." Songs have deep arrangements and complex movements which get a bit exhausting for a complete listen, but again, the focus on speed and execution is awe-inspiring. This is very metal, and old-school in nature at that. But damn, it doesn't get much faster or more complex and surprisingly original with the addition of those breakneck speed keyboards. The lack of diversity in the vocals will lend a certain element of sameness to these songs, but I can't help but be impressed with the musical execution of "Children of Bodom." Scary fast my friends, scary fast.