Children Of Bodom Frontman Discusses 'Blooddrunk'

In a brand new and recently published interview by Lucem Fero's Welsh interviewer Anthony Morgan, Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho discusses sixth studio album 'Blooddrunk''s lyrical content, working with Peter Tagtgren (Pain, Hypocrisy), the album's musical stylings, and the music videos for "Blooddrunk" and Hellhounds On My Trail". A few excerpts from the interview follow:

Lucem Fero: In making 'Blooddrunk', how did the process begin?

Alexi Laiho: We started writing songs for 'Blooddrunk' in roughly February, I think. We had a decent amount of time to write the music, which was nice. When we were recording the previous album, 'Are You Dead Yet?', it was somewhat hectic - we only had roughly two months to work on the material. This time around, the process was more laid back. Yeah, it was pretty nice. In terms of stress at least, it was pretty mellow. 'Blooddrunk' was recorded at this studio (Petrax Studios), and that studio is located in the middle of the woods in Finland. There's this house which has a studio, and that's where we lived for six weeks. It was pretty cool.

Could you discuss some of the other lyrical content which features on 'Blooddrunk'?

Usually, the lyrics are pretty much the same in each song. Having said that, there are a couple of songs which have different topics. For example, the last track is called "Roadkill Morning". The whole song is about the worst fucking hangover you could ever imagine, but just multiplied by ten. I actually like those lyrics somewhat; they're very graphic, and discuss how fucking bad you can feel when you have a hangover. As a whole concept, it's actually somewhat funny.

You worked with Peter Tagtgren on your vocals, and he also worked with Janne on his keyboard parts. How did Peter's approach help to get the best take out of you and Janne?

He was there to record my vocals, and that's what I wanted him to do. It was definitely a good idea, and just made the whole process so much easier for me. Peter is a singer as well, so he knows how to work around the studio. He contributed a lot of good ideas, and things like that. It was most definitely a really good idea to do that; in future, I'm pretty sure we're going to do the same thing.

How do you feel 'Blooddrunk' surpasses 'Are You Dead Yet?'?

I think it's just more catchy. On 'Are You Dead Yet?', there are a couple of tracks which are probably still my favourite Children of Bodom songs ever. As a whole album though, it's not as good as 'Blooddrunk'. 'Blooddrunk', as a whole album, is definitely better from my point of view at least. There are no weak songs, or anything like that. That's why, as a whole album, 'Blooddrunk' is a pretty good one.

You said that parts of 'Blooddrunk' are more progressive, so can you tell me about that?

You probably won't even notice 'Blooddrunk''s more progressive aspects. Some timings in the guitar riffs, some hooks here and there, and things like that, are more progressive. 'Blooddrunk' isn't progressive per se, but sometimes the album isn't as straightforward as it sounds, or appears to be.

"Blooddrunk"'s music video is set in a ghost town, so can you talk me through the video's concept?

Yeah. Actually, that was an idea from the video company (Katapult Filmproduktion). They just looked that place up, and it was pretty cool. It's this abandoned town, and it's brilliant. Pretty much, they came up with the whole idea. We thought it sounded really cool, so we just went for it.

You also recorded a music video for the track "Hellhounds On My Trail", so can you reveal the concept for that video as well?

When it comes to the lyrics, I guess the whole idea is the following; your past, and things which you have done in the past, just keep on chasing you. You just can't get away.

Children of Bodom cut four cover tracks during recording sessions for 'Blooddrunk', so how did the group put its own individual stamp on the interpretations?

When it comes to cover tracks, we always have to do a lot of them. We enjoy doing them. For us, it's just boring to do metal covers. Instead of that, we just pick a fucking Britney Spears song or something. This time around, we covered acts like Creedence Clearwater Revival, fucking Kenny Rogers, and music like that. That's what really makes it fun - that we can make the Bodom version of a good old country song (laughs).

How did the concept for "Blooddrunk"'s album cover come about, and what mood do you feel it evokes?

Do you mean the Grim Reaper concept? We just wanted to have a cover which would fit the album, and I think that it fits 'Blooddrunk' pretty well. The cover is a complete fucking punch in the face, and I think that the album is in that vein as well. They go together pretty well.

Kimberly Goss (Sinergy) wrote the lyrics to a track called "LoBodomy", so what do the lyrics of that song concern?

I think the concept of that song concerns just being pissed off about these fucking idiots who surf the fucking internet, and just write shit about you.

To access the entire interview go to this location.

Comments

[jakewynnrocks]

yes! first comment! cant wait for the new album...

[GabeWang]

I hope that CCR cover hits someplace, THAT I have to hear

[Adamus9]

ya i hear ya Gabe i wanna hear CoB do CCR

[kickflipx4]

im sorry but his ideas for lyrics are sad and extremely unoriginal

[uberphreak]

I ****ing love this band. Can't wait for this album.

Hope they make a vinyl pressing

[TheDarkestNights]

He's right.
The album's amazing.

[ParkerScks]

kickflipx4 :
im sorry but his ideas for lyrics are sad and extremely unoriginal

o i get it your one of those boring depressing fools who thinks every song ever wrote should be serious... get a life

[jamie_hough]

kickflipx4 :
im sorry but his ideas for lyrics are sad and extremely unoriginal


+1

[Donkey Fly]

kickflipx4 wrote:

im sorry but his ideas for lyrics are sad and extremely unoriginal

Since when have lyrics in this genre ever been original though.

From what i've heard of this album it is certainly much better than AYDY?

[xXWylde_ManXx]

i have this album on my iPod and it's ****in' sick! i have every CoB album on my iPod, and this one is definitely the best. "Tie My Rope" and "Banned From Heaven" are two of the best CoB songs ever, IMO.

[freakypop]

Bodom!!!!!

[Black-Metal]

Donkey Fly wrote:

kickflipx4 wrote:

im sorry but his ideas for lyrics are sad and extremely unoriginal


Since when have lyrics in this genre ever been original though.

From what i've heard of this album it is certainly much better than AYDY?

it doesn't even matter what the lyrics are from a material aspect, i listen to children of bodom for the music, if i want to listen to a band for its lyrics, i'll listen to bands with clever lyricists.
and good lyrics or not, alexi has an amazing voice.


THIS ALBUM HAS THE MOST AMAZING ARTWORK

[perilouspete]

this album is gonna kick so much ass, good interview, glad UG posted it. COB FOR THE WIN.

[2mins2midnite]

What is he holding in the picture at the top left?????

Checked.

[CapnKickass]

kickflipx4 wrote:

im sorry but his ideas for lyrics are sad and extremely unoriginal

YOUR ideas for lyrics are sad and extremely unoriginal

[Engel22]

album is out on the net 4 dl. go look and enjoy it lol

[vIsIbleNoIsE]

kickflipx4 wrote:

im sorry but his ideas for lyrics are sad and extremely unoriginal

too bad he doesn't care cuz he's a guitarist, and then a vocalist. and who cares about the lyrics when it's the music that inevitably kicks more ass?

on another note, i don't think this album will kick that much ass. but i'll still buy it and hope it grows on me

[Cpl_Metal_Head]

2mins2midnite wrote:

What is he holding in the picture at the top left?????

A garden gnome.

[kurt18th]

one day you will cry and banned from heaven are the best songs, a couple of the songs sound like older bodom from follow the reaper and such

[killthekingx]

This album has officially made me lose faith in CoB. HCDR and AYDY? were forgivable, but not this.

[haven222]

To be honest, I only liked two songs off the whole album.

It was certainly better than AYDY, but it still didn't meet my expectations.

[Gregoric]

i thought blooddrunk was all great, nice and fast, good vocals, good solos. though to be fair i didn't really dislike AYDY but then again it was the first bodom album i heard. think HCDR is the best though, followed by FTR

[mustacrackish]

is the new album already out?

[HerVoiCeResIdEs]

i didnt like most of AYDY..but this album effin rocks COB is ****in awsum

[free.music.free]

Album is shit. Sounds like a collection of scraps that didnt make the cut for Are You Dead Yet, an already weak album in comparison to Bodoms earlier records.

"...sometimes the album isn't as straightforward as it sounds, or appears to be." Sorry Alexi, but yes, it is as straightforward as it "appears" to be.

The riffs are uncreative, the "hooks" are recycled versions from older songs, only less sophisticated and convincing.

If this album is "progressive" in any way, it is in the direction of commercialism. "Blood Drunk"? Hardly, this is Children of Bodom defanged and declawed.

[Funeral Moon]

I loved Bodom's early albums, and I love their most recent albums, even Are You Dead Yet?. As much as I love technicality and progressive stuff, it's music to just jam to. It doesn't have to be physics. I already pre ordered the album with the dvd, a shirt, and Alexi's DVDs.

[D-Fraz35]

i love all of COB's albums, i don't know why everybody hates AYDY? i ****in love it

[bathroomboy]

Blooddrunk > Are You Dead Yet?

I didn't like it too much the first time I heard it, but now I consider it one of their best

[Cnorris666]

Um, Lookin' Out My Backdoor is the song.
I've already heard it.
It's got a banjo solo.
You can check it out on some kids music myspace.
He has his name under "Children Of Bodom".
It's a really great song@!

[Cnorris666]

Cnorris666 wrote:

Um, Lookin' Out My Backdoor is the song.
I've already heard it.
It's got a banjo solo.
You can check it out on some kids music myspace.
He has his name under "Children Of Bodom".
It's a really great song@!

The Creedance Clearwater Revival song I meant!

[IdTheDestroyer]

Who can even understand what he sings, and who cares what he sings about? It's about hearing great musicianship. Plus COB's latest stuff really isn't all about pleasing their long-time fans. You think you're ever going to get anything like In The Shadows or Warheart again. Those days are long gone, it's just the natural progression that most bands go through after some commercial success

checked.

[genresrforposer]

GabeWang wrote:

I hope that CCR cover hits someplace, THAT I have to hear

type in bodom creedence clearwater revival or bodom lookin out my back door on youtube. This whole album's been leaked for a while actually

[AXE187]

this album kicks ass

[FRDesign]

IdTheDestroyer Plus COB's latest stuff really isn't all about pleasing their long-time fans. You think you're ever going to get anything like In The Shadows or Warheart again. Those days are long gone, it's just the natural progression that most bands go through after some commercial success

COB is one of my favorite bands, But I have to agree.

Their earlier stuff was way better imo.

[GNR'n'A7X]

"One Day You Will Cry" is definitely my favorite track from this record. Awesome leads, fantastic riffs, and super catchy.

-DDP

[cloud041089]

there's a sweet riff in lobodomy.
....that's about it.

[Viking_Swede666]

I can't wait for this album to come out!

waiting for the actually release date will be so much more satisfying than stealing the album off ****ing limewire.

[vIsIbleNoIsE]

ladies and gentlemen, i give you the culprits who stole your beloved CoB (some of them):

" Q: Were there any specific bands which were influences on Blooddrunk?
A: Usually, you get musically influenced by the groups around you. We've been touring a lot with groups such as Lamb of God, Slayer and similar sounding acts. Subconsciously, the influence just seeps in."

[killthekingx]

LOL

No wonder...

[Wartooth]

Cnorris666 wrote:

Cnorris666 wrote:

Um, Lookin' Out My Backdoor is the song.
I've already heard it.
It's got a banjo solo.
You can check it out on some kids music myspace.
He has his name under "Children Of Bodom".
It's a really great song@!


The Creedance Clearwater Revival song I meant!

Thats what hes talking about buddy. It is really really awesome btw! Its a good album, Everyone should definitely buy it.

[Wartooth]

killthekingx wrote:

This album has officially made me lose faith in CoB. HCDR and AYDY? were forgivable, but not this.

Boo hoo, poor you, get over youself. Sure its faster, heavier and less technical, but its still pretty awesome. I love ALL of bodoms albums. And i might be seeing them in Adelaide in June. YAY

[TiDyCaTT900]

where the crap are you guys getting this cd?
I have heard Banned from Heaven and that song kicks some major ass,as does BloodDrunk..COB rules.

[genresrforposer]

Holy crap I didn't even notice they were covering "Just Dropped In"

YES!

[Bodom87]

Hell yeah can't F'n wait for this album. Gigantour's gonna be sick.

[JBecker=SHREDDA]

COB!!this albums gonna kick

[the boogieman]

im not gunna lie this article turned me off this album


even though cob's emphasis is more rocking out and shredding over lyrical content, they could do a lot better than writing about hangovers

[free.music.free]

vIsIbleNoIsE wrote:

ladies and gentlemen, i give you the culprits who stole your beloved CoB (some of them):

" Q: Were there any specific bands which were influences on Blooddrunk?
A: Usually, you get musically influenced by the groups around you. We've been touring a lot with groups such as Lamb of God, Slayer and similar sounding acts. Subconsciously, the influence just seeps in."

ahaahhahahaha! sooo true, so truee!

[jerbal]

killthekingx :
This album has officially made me lose faith in CoB. HCDR and AYDY? were forgivable, but not this.

WHAT !?!?! HERESY I SAY !!!

[Wartooth]

TiDyCaTT900 wrote:

where the crap are you guys getting this cd?
I have heard Banned from Heaven and that song kicks some major ass,as does BloodDrunk..COB rules.

I got it from utorrent.com
But I dont want to encourage people to not buy their stuff. If you liek it you should still buy it. But yeah, that is where i got it. U have to download utorrent first.

[Wartooth]

My fav song is probably Done With Everything, Die For Nothing. But all the songs are pretty good but theres none that are REALLY awesome.

[bootyking69]

hatebreeder is the best hands down

[skinnyman16]

I like more Are You Dead Yet? than Blooddrunk...its much faster and "aggresive" as Alexi says , but this album Blooddrunk is a kind of copy....I'm quite not satisfied of this album

[RedNovember]

ParkerScks wrote:

kickflipx4 :
im sorry but his ideas for lyrics are sad and extremely unoriginal

o i get it your one of those boring depressing fools who thinks every song ever wrote should be serious... get a life

No, his lyrics really do suck.

[siliconavatar0]

I haven't heard this one yet, but if they can pull off a britney spears cover I'd kill to see what they do to Kenny Rogers...

[Cwaigio]

Children of bodom are amazing.. kenny rodgers cover haha i'd kill to hear that!

[madman]

2mins2midnite wrote:

What is he holding in the picture at the top left?????

He's holding a Guitar God Trophy i think or something like that.