Released 26 years ago this October
Follow the Reaper
Children of Bodom · 2000
41 min · 10 tracks · melodic death metal
Melodic death metal infused with symphonic elements delivers a relentless yet haunting exploration of darkness and despair.
Top tracks — play these first
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Follow the Reaper Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes with its aggressive riffs and melodic hooks, setting a powerful tone for the record.
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Everytime I Die — This track combines haunting melodies with brutal instrumentation, showcasing the band’s ability to balance aggression with emotional depth.
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Kissing the Shadows — Featuring intricate solos and dynamic shifts, this track exemplifies Children of Bodom's skillful musicianship and lyrical exploration of darker themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and a blend of aggressive and melodic elements, solidifying its place in the genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features rapid guitar riffs and aggressive drumming, setting a high-energy tone.
- Several tracks incorporate symphonic elements, such as orchestral keyboards, which contrast with the heavy instrumentation.
- The final track features an extended instrumental section that gradually builds in intensity before concluding abruptly.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady energetic flow throughout
- infectious hooks for sing-alongs
- aggressive riffs for driving motivation
- dark themes with vibrant energy
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, mellow listening
- seek soft background ambiance
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified their status in the melodic death metal scene.
- Career context
- Follow the Reaper is Children of Bodom's third studio album, released at a time when they were solidifying their status in the melodic death metal scene. Following the breakthrough success of their previous album, Hatebreeder, this release further showcased their technical prowess and songwriting maturity. By 2000, the band was gaining international attention and establishing a dedicated fanbase.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Insomnium· Dark Tranquillity· Amon Amarth
Tracklist
- 1 Follow the Reaper Start here 3:47
- 2 Bodom After Midnight 3:43
- 3 Children of Decadence 5:34
- 4 Everytime I Die 4:03
- 5 Mask of Sanity 3:58
- 6 Taste of My Scythe 3:58
- 7 Hate Me! 4:44
- 8 Northern Comfort 3:48
- 9 Kissing the Shadows 4:32
- 10 Hellion 3:02
What to play next
Hate Crew Deathroll
2003
Continues the melodic death metal sound with more aggression and energy.
Hatebreeder
1999
Shares similar themes and musical style, setting the stage for 'Follow the Reaper'.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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