Relentless Reckless Forever
Children of Bodom · 2011
40 min · 12 tracks · melodic death metal
Frenzied guitar solos and relentless rhythms collide with darkly melodic hooks, embodying the essence of melodic death metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Not My Funeral Start here — Opening with a furious tempo and gritty vocals, this track sets the tone for the album's relentless energy while showcasing the band's signature blending of melody and aggression.
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Shovel Knockout — This song exemplifies the band's technical prowess through intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts, making it a standout that encapsulates the album's intensity.
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Cry of the Nihilist — With its anthemic chorus and darker lyrical themes, this track highlights Children of Bodom's ability to balance melody with heavy instrumentation, creating a memorable listening experience.
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Relentless Reckless Forever — The title track features an explosive combination of fast riffs and soaring melodies, reinforcing the album's overarching themes of chaos and recklessness.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album delivers intense energy and technical skill but loses cohesion with the inclusion of live tracks.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a relentless tempo with aggressive guitar riffs and rapid drumming, creating a high-energy atmosphere.
- The album includes two live tracks at the end, which disrupts the flow established by the preceding studio recordings.
- 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 energy for focused sessions
- melodic aggression for intense workouts
- cathartic release during high stress
- engaging riffs for headbanging moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, mellow tunes
- seek varied pace and dynamics
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Beloved by dedicated fans for its high-energy sound and melodic hooks.
- Career context
- Released on March 8, 2011, 'Relentless Reckless Forever' was Children of Bodom's seventh studio album, following the critically acclaimed 'Blooddrunk' from 2008. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their position within the melodic death metal genre while facing lineup changes and evolving musical influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Insomnium· Dark Tranquillity· Amon Amarth
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Not My Funeral Start here 4:54
- 2 Shovel Knockout 4:02
- 3 Roundtrip to Hell and Back 3:46
- 4 Pussyfoot Miss Suicide 4:09
- 5 Relentless Reckless Forever 4:40
- 6 Ugly 4:13
- 7 Cry of the Nihilist 3:30
- 8 Was It Worth It? 4:05
- 9 Northpole Throwdown 2:54
Disc 2
- 1 Was It Worth It? 4:05
- 2 Angels Don’t Kill (live)
- 3 Everytime I Die (live)
What to play next
Halo of Blood
2013
Continues the melodic death metal style with a refined sound and darker themes.
Blooddrunk
2008
Sets the stage with similar energy and intensity, leading into Relentless Reckless Forever.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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