While Halo Of Blood was their strongest release in some time the Bodom crew have backed that up with another agreeable album. I Worship Chaos is album number nine for the dark melodic metal group from Finland, and one that does not to include long term guitarist Roope Latvala who has departed the band. So the now four piece group have again delved into the past combining that vintage Bodom with those later elements. Catering to long term and newer fans that have got on-board during their twenty years of making music. Besides the solos the keyboards of Janne Wirman do play a sizeable part on I Worship Chaos and that's just fine with me as he is an extremely talented player with an enjoyable style. When combined with Alex Laiho's guitar like on the second track "My Bodom (I Am The Only One)" it's simply melodic awesomeness.
From the commencement of "I Hurt" and that melodic interplay between Alex and Janne, switching to a hefty groove then kicking it up a gear, you get the impression that Children Of Bodom are once again set to impress. Once again there is a mixture of tempos throughout "Morrigan" is mid paced and very catchy rich with melody and gripping music. There is no sign of speed on "Prayer For The Afflicted" it's slow and powerful like their classic "Every Time I Die". The explosive title track "I Worship Chaos" hooks in with a double kick barrage and Alex's shredding, Janne's keyboard solo is off the scale as he rips it up big time, just a shame it wasn't longer. Some of Children Of Bodom's best work on the album can also found on tracks such as "Suicide Bomber" and "Widdershins".
Sure I didn't expect the band to surpass Follow The Reaper and Hatebreeder they deserve to be called COB classics and haven't since been matched by the group. But there are songs on I Worship Chaos that truly are some of the bands most engaging recordings since those albums.
Track Listing
1. I Hurt
2. My Bodom (I Am The Only One)
3. Morrigan
4. Horns
5. Prayer For The Afflicted
6. I Worship Chaos
7. Hold Your Tongue
8. Suicide Bomber
9. All for Nothing
10. Widdershins