Hexed
Children of Bodom · 2019
58 min · 14 tracks · melodic death metal
Melodic death metal riffs intertwine with symphonic elements, creating a hauntingly intricate soundscape that captures the essence of chaos and beauty.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Road Start here — Opening with a powerful blend of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks, this track sets the stage for the album's thematic exploration of struggle and resilience.
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Hexed — The title track showcases the band's signature blend of melody and aggression, encapsulating the album's overall atmosphere while also presenting complex arrangements.
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Hecate’s Nightmare — With its dark lyrical themes and shifting tempos, this song exemplifies the band's ability to create an unsettling yet captivating listening experience.
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Under Grass and Clover — This track features an infectious chorus and intricate guitar work, making it a standout moment that balances heaviness with melodic sensibility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong technical execution and a blend of melodic and aggressive elements, though it lacks some cohesion in its pacing.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a high energy level with aggressive riffs and rapid tempos, while the sixth track introduces a slower, more melodic section.
- Several songs feature intricate guitar solos that weave in and out of the vocal lines, creating a layered texture.
- The album incorporates symphonic elements in the background, particularly in tracks like 'Hecate’s Nightmare' and 'Hexed', enhancing the overall atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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 progression with emotional peaks
- aggressive energy for workout sessions
- introspective moments amid intensity
- full-album engagement over individual tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid introspective lyrical themes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality amid lineup changes in the band's later years.
- Themes
- personal struggle· mythical darkness· chaotic beauty
- Career context
- Released on March 8, 2019, 'Hexed' is Children of Bodom's tenth studio album, following their 2017 release 'I Worship Chaos.' At this point in their career, the band was navigating lineup changes and evolving musical landscapes while solidifying their legacy within the melodic death metal genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Insomnium· Dark Tranquillity· Amon Amarth
Tracklist
- 1 This Road Start here 4:33
- 2 Under Grass and Clover 3:33
- 3 Glass Houses 3:27
- 4 Hecate’s Nightmare 4:09
- 5 Kick in a Spleen 3:34
- 6 Platitudes and Barren Words 4:13
- 7 Hexed 5:03
- 8 Relapse (The Nature of My Crime) 3:26
- 9 Say Never Look Back 4:23
- 10 Soon Departed 4:54
- 11 Knuckleduster 3:32
- 12 I Worship Chaos (live) 3:33
- 13 Morrigan (live) 5:00
- 14 Knuckleduster (remix) 5:26
What to play next
I Worship Chaos
2015
Continues the blend of melodic elements and chaotic energy found in Hexed.
Halo of Blood
2013
Sets up the thematic and sonic exploration leading into Hexed.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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