A decent return to the band's roots - A review of Children of Bodom's Hexed

Hexed is the tenth studio release of Finnish melodic death metal quintet Children of Bodom. The gap between the underrated predecessor I Worship Chaos and this output is the longest to date with three and a half years. If you expected the band to come around with something spectacular, you might be somewhat disappointed. If you were however craving for more of the same on a high level, you will certainly appreciate this album.

The song writing has become a little bit more concise and less atmospheric if compared to the predecessor. The guitar work has become more domineering and goes back to the band's early output with obvious heavy and power metal reminiscences. The keyboards are used more scarcely but sound quite versatile and progressive when employed at the right moments. The vocals sound the same as usual and the rhythm section could be a little bit more adventurous here and there.

The record's first half is particularly strong. ''This Road'' is a concise opener with great melodic guitar play and progressive keyboard layers that never overstay their welcome. This track might be the band's strongest opener since the atmospheric ''Living Dead Beat'' fourteen years earlier. "Under Grass and Clover'' has cold and industrial verses but catchy and melodic bridges with wonderful guitar harmonies. This mixture shows the band's contradictory yet harmonizing sides and is a perfect choice for a single. ''Hecate's Nightmare'' is the record's most atmospheric track and sounds like a nightmarish lullaby with haunting keyboard melodies. ''Kick in a Spleen'' follows right after and fools the listener with an epic overture before this approach is abandoned for brutal and fast riffs and harsh screams that make for this record's most intense song. This track should find its righteous place on the set list for upcoming tours.

The record is not without its flaws however. The second half loses some steam and especially the last three regular tunes can't compete with the excellent first half and great middle section. The new version of ''Knuckleduster'' can't compete with the original version and the remix that closes the album is nervously noisy electronic music that makes push the skip button within seconds. This final song also includes a short hidden track that doesn't add anything to rate the record up either. The two live tracks feel out of place as well and a regular live release thirteen years after Chaos Ridden Years - Stockholm Knockout Live would be a more welcome addition to the band's discography. This record should simply have ended with the tenth track instead of watering it down with seventeen minutes of unnecessary filler material. If the band had been asked to absolutely record bonus material for the limited edition or the Japanese version, the quintet should have stuck to its usual cool cover songs.

In the end, Hexed is neither among Children of Bodom's greatest nor among its worst hours. The first half of the album is creative, energetic and melodic while the second half loses steam and the tracks of the limited edition are bearable. The overall sound with more guitar duels and efficiently employed keyboard sounds goes back to the group's earlier records which will please fans of old date. Those who have never quite liked the band won't become fans with this album either. Children of Bodom's Hexed is a good genre release but not worth a mandatory purchase.

Final rating: 75%