Before the release of 2003’s Hate Crew Deathroll, Children Of Bodom had released three critically acclaimed albums that won them attention around the globe – well, almost everywhere except North America. These early albums were as fun and melodic as they were a showcase for the band’s technically proficient nature, but it was Hate Crew Deathroll that opened up the Finnish band to a new audience entirely.
With less reliance on keyboards and more on savvy guitar showmanship, it was the band’s last album with the original five members – and you can tell why it’s among their best. Released on January 6th, 2003, the late Alexi Laiho’s otherworldly talent is on full display here. Smartly opening the album with “Needled 24/7”, it’s one of the most fun melodic death metal albums of its era. It also manages to arrive in a compact package, with only one song reaching the 5 minute mark (the underrated “Angels Don’t Kill”), making for an accessible listen. Considering the album had (to date) the band’s best production quality, it’s not a surprise that it was their breakout record.
