Halo of Blood
Untitled | |
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Halo of Blood is the eighth studio album by Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom.[2] It was released on June 7, 2013 in Europe[3][4] and June 11 in North America on Nuclear Blast Records.[2] In Japan, the album was released by Marquee Inc. on May 29, 2013.[5] This would be the last album with guitarist Roope Latvala before he left the band in May 2015.
Production
Drummer Jaska Raatikainen posted on Facebook that the band has accumulated a number of songs for a new album. Raatikainen described the new material as dark and "also little [sic] 'black' [metal]-ish."[5] In an interview before the band's first show in India, keyboardist Janne Wirman revealed that the band currently had four songs written, with plans to enter the studio at the end of 2012. Wirman predicted a release around April or May 2013.[6] In mid November 2012, it was announced that the band had started recording demos of new material.[7]
In January 2013, it was revealed that frontman/guitarist Alexi Laiho was finishing writing lyrics, and that recording would commence in February. The album was produced by Swedish producer Peter Tägtgren. Two song titles were also revealed.[8] On 19 March 2013, the album's title was announced as Halo of Blood, and a track listing and cover artwork were revealed.
Critical reception
The album received mostly positive reviews, with an aggregated score of 66/100 on Metacritic, indicating favorable reviews. It was considered a return to form for the band; garnering a warmer reception from fans than their previous three albums.
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 66/100[9] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
About | [10] |
Allmusic | [11] |
Kerrang | [12] |
Loudwire | [13] |
New Noise | [14] |
PopMatters | [15] |
Revolver | [16] |
Track listing
All tracks are written by Alexi Laiho
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Waste of Skin" | 4:16 |
2. | "Halo of Blood" | 3:12 |
3. | "Scream for Silence" | 4:09 |
4. | "Transference" | 3:58 |
5. | "Bodom Blue Moon (The Second Coming)" | 4:14 |
6. | "The Days Are Numbered" | 3:40 |
7. | "Dead Man's Hand on You" | 4:58 |
8. | "Damaged Beyond Repair" | 4:20 |
9. | "All Twisted" | 4:51 |
10. | "One Bottle and a Knee Deep" | 4:02 |
Total length: | 41:40 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
11. | "Crazy Nights" (Loudness cover) | 4:25 |
12. | "Sleeping in My Car" (Roxette cover) | 3:19 |
Total length: | 49:24 |
Personnel
- Children of Bodom
- Alexi Laiho – lead vocals, lead guitar
- Roope Latvala – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Jaska Raatikainen – drums, backing vocals
- Henkka Seppälä – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Janne Wirman – keyboards
- Production
- Peter Tägtgren – producer
- Mikko Karmila – producer, engineering, mixing
- Mika Jussila - mastering
- Sami Saramäki – cover art
Charts
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
---|---|
Austrian Albums Chart[17] | 28 |
Finnish Albums Chart[18] | 2 |
French Albums Chart[19] | 109 |
German Albums Chart[20] | 18 |
Japanese Albums Chart[21] | 16 |
Hungarian Albums Chart[22] | 10 |
Swedish Albums Chart[23] | 26 |
Swiss Albums Chart[24] | 24 |
US Billboard 200[25] | 54 |
US Hard Rock Albums[26] | 7 |
References
- ^ "Children of Bodom: Video Update From The Studio - Feb. 22, 2013". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
- ^ a b Kelly, Neil (2013-06-19). "Children of Bodom: Halo of Blood". PopMatters.
- ^ Official Facebook post
- ^ Halo of Blood page on the official Nuclearblast website
- ^ a b "Children of Bodom Froontman (sic) Interviewed In India (Video) - Oct. 19, 2012". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ Makhija, Sahil. "Headbanger's Kitchen (Uncooked) - Episode 3 - Janne Wirman (Children of Bodom)". Headbanger's Kitchen Official Youtube channel. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- ^ "Children of Bodom Demoing New Material - Nov. 16, 2012". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
- ^ "Children of Bodom Frontman Reveals First Details Of Upcoming Album - Jan. 23, 2013". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ^ "Halo of Blood Reviews". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
- ^ Lyons, Todd (12 June 2013). "Children Of Bodom - Halo Of Blood Review". Retrieved 12 June 2013.
- ^ Heaney, Gregory (12 June 2013). "Halo of Blood". Retrieved 12 June 2013.
- ^ "CHalo of Blood Reviews".
- ^ Hartmann, Graham (11 June 2013). "Children of Bodom, 'Halo of Blood' - Album Review". Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^ May, Eric (5 June 2013). "Album Review: Children of Bodom – Halo of Blood – Review by Eric May". Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ Kelly, Neil (19 June 2013). "Children of Bodom: Halo of Blood". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ Camisasca, Paige (10 June 2013). "Review: Children of Bodom – Halo of Blood". Retrieved 10 June 2013.
- ^ "AUSTRIA TOP 40 - ALBEN TOP 75". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ^ "Album Top 50". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ^ "Actuellement n° 109 du Top Albums France". chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
- ^ "HALO OF BLOOD stormed the German media control charts at position #18 in its first week!". facebook.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
- ^ "Halo of Blood - Children of Bodom" (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ^ "MAHASZ – Magyar Hangfelvétel-kiadók Szövetsége". mahasz.hu. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "SVERIGETOPPLISTAN - ALBUMS TOP 60". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ^ "SWISS CHARTS - ALBUMS TOP 100". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ^ "Children of Bodom Chart History(Billboard 200)". billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ^ "Children of Bodom Chart History(Hard Rock Albums)". billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.