Children Of Bodom’s 2013 effort, Halo Of Blood, re-ignited the band’s brand, that album a successful and inspired LP that saw comparisons to Bodom classics Hatebreeder and Follow The Reaper. Halo Of Blood was noteworthy not because it was a “return to form” (groups should rightfully expand their artistic vision and shouldn’t stay static), but because it elevated Bodom out of the sluggishness that had plagued much of Relentless Reckless Forever and Blooddrunk - though both of those records certainly have their highlights, there was a sense that Bodom had potentially reached its peak song-writing and that autopilot and maybe even ennui had set in. Instead, Halo Of Blood’s motivated and energized tracks smashed that idea and proved it not to be the case (“The Days Are Numbered” is a fantastic example, if you’re wondering). 

In its wake, we find latest album I Worship Chaos, Bodom’s ninth (!), a record that the band has adamantly stated is heavier and darker than Halo Of Blood. And while those sentiments might technically be true (the guitars here are a thicker wall of sound; the song are more opaque), I Worship Chaos can only be qualified as a disappointment after the inspired results on Halo Of Blood. In fact, if any other Bodom album is conjured while listening to I Worship Chaos, it’s Relentless Reckless Forever – both records are home to songs that are, at times, unequivocally missing the band’s usual killer instinct. While we wouldn’t go as far as to call I Worship Chaos uninteresting, because there are plenty of moments that grab the attention, this also isn’t a Bodom highlight: it’s a mid-years record that might one day be the benefactor of charitable historical revisionism (hi there, Born Again), but in the present moment is vaguely disappointing.

This scribe is unafraid to admit to listening to Children Of Bodom regularly over the last 16 years. While some deride the band for being too poppy or a relic of youth à la In Flames fandom, Bodom albums haven’t faded around these parts. That might be why I Worship Chaos has been given many chances: listens at various different parts of the day or night, with an open mind each time. But every time, it’s the same conclusion: I Worship Chaos doesn’t resonate with the same visceral, immediate nature that Halo of Blood, Hatecrew Deathroll, Follow The Reaper and Hatebreeder did. 

To its credit, I Worship Chaos’ opening duo of “I Hurt” and “My Bodom (I Am The Only One)” are definitely within the top one-third of the group’s total output, while “Horns”, the title track and “Bomber” are repeat listens, as well (and, hey, that solo in “Widdershins” is pretty badass). But the other half of the album could have been re-written to make the songs sharper and more engaging, which I realize is probably a challenge when you’ve already recorded over 100 songs. But life goes on: here's to the next Children Of Bodom record.