Finland's CHILDREN OF BODOM are currently holed up in the studio working on their eighth album. Guitarist Roope Latvala from Children stopped by Musamaailma Retail in Helsinki, Finland and checked in with the following update:

In a recent update it was revealed that Latvala has played a bigger part in the song arrangements on the new album than usual:

Latvala: "In my opinion many guitar parts could be made more interesting and balanced with just minor tweaks."

Alexi Laiho (vocals/guitars): "Roope did voice his opinions more than usual this time around. And maybe the others, too. As far as the actual question goes, the usual rule applies: all good ideas are taken into consideration."

Laiho also revealed the band is recording a few cover songs, as is COB tradition with each album: "We will be doing our versions of songs by BANANARAMA and ROXETTE, and a track chosen for us by the readers of the Japanese magazine Burrn."

No word yet as to whether the covers will appear on the album or be released as B-sides during the album cycle.

For the recording of the new album, Children Of Bodom have teamed up with recording engineer Mikko Karmila, who worked with the band on their fan favorite albums Hatebreeder, Follow The Reaper, Hate Crew Deathroll and more as well as producer Peter Tägtgren (MARDUK, AMON AMARTH), who is overseeing production of both vocals and keyboards on the record. The album will be mixed at Finnvox Studios and a summer release date via Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

"It's a nice change to the regular method where we lock ourselves up at a studio in the middle of the woods, usually also during the darkest time of the year," commented guitarist / vocalist Alexi Laiho, who is currently finishing up lyrics for the songs. In early February, Tägtgren will travel to Finland to oversee the keyboard and vocal recordings for his longtime allies.

"Last night I finished my parts for the record," dishes COB bassist Henkka Seppälä. "We listened to all the songs and fixed what had to be fixed. So the bass tracks are locked in and so are the basic tracks for guitars, from both Roope and Alexi. And of course all drums were recorded first. Next in line are the guitar melodies and solos and then the keyboards and vocals. We are ahead of schedule and very happy to work here in Helsinki for the first time ever."

Working song titles include 'All Twisted', 'Slowdance On Nails', 'Moto GP', 'FC Pettymys', 'Kananmuisti-ilmiö' and 'Trondheim'.

Recent video updates from the band can be seen below. More on COB at this location.