Finland's Children Of Bodom have announced the release of their tenth album, Hexed, on March 8th via Nuclear Blast Records.

COB frontman, guitarist, and mastermind Alexi Laiho comments: “People have said that the album is generally catchier. So I started thinking about that, perhaps the song structures are easier to grasp on initial listen. But there’s some crazy shit in there, almost progressive or at least technical. There are certain melodies across the album that could have come from jazz songs, although they’re completely metal with us, of course." (laughs)

“For me, it has always been very hard to describe our new music," comments bassist Henkka Blacksmith. "In a way it always feels familiar, but the new stuff also always surprises me. Here we have something that’s very Bodom, but somehow we haven’t done this kind of stuff maybe ever. Then again, someone said that there’s somehow similar vibe to what Follow the Reaper had. I don’t know. Anyway, we had a really hard time choosing the songs for the two videos, I guess that’s a positive problem."

Hexed saw the return to Finland’s Danger Johnny Studios where they were reunited with Mikko Karmila (I Worship Chaos, Halo Of Blood, Hatebreeder, Follow The Reaper & Hate Crew Deathroll) who recorded everything except keyboards and also produced the album with the band. Janne Wirman recorded keyboards at Beyond Abilities Studios. The album was mixed and mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

For this album, the band enlisted Denis Forkas to create the album artwork. Bassist Henkka Blacksmith commented on the cover, “For some years already I have wanted to try a different approach with our cover art. We are so used to digital art so that is really hard to do something else. Doing it all the way with computer is somewhat safe and convenient. This time we all agreed to try it old school. We found this cool dude and gave him simple instructions. The cover has to be purple and the reaper has to be central. Half a year later we got his work, and with little tweaking, we have the cover of Hexed. It is very different from what we are used to, even the Reaper looks different, but at the same time very spooky."

Hexed will be available for pre-order starting December 7th.

Hexed tracklisting:

"The Road"
"Under Grass and Clover"
"Glass Houses"
"Hecate’s Nightmare"
"Kick in the Spleen"
"Platitudes and Barren Words"
"Hexed"
"Relapse (The Nature of My Crime)"
"Say Never Look Back"
"Soon Departed"
"Knuckleduster"

Bonus tracks:
"I Worship Chaos" (live)
"Morrigan" (live)
"Knuckleduster" (remix)

Tour dates:

December
7 - Geiselwind, Germany - Christmas Bash
8 - Oberhausen, Germany - Ruhrpott Metal Meeting

June
13-16 - Nickelsdorf, Austria - Nova Rock
21 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting

July
3-6 - Ballenstedt, Germany - Rockharz Open Air
4-7 - Barcelona, Spain - Rock Fest
11-13 - Leoben, Austria - Area 53 Festival

August
9 - Derby, UK - Bloodstock Open Air

(Photo - Marek Sabogal)