Children of Bodom’s ‘Relentless Reckless Forever’ Is ‘Riff-Oriented’

Finnish metal masters Children of Bodom have announced some details for their seventh album, 'Relentless Reckless Forever.' Slated for a March 8 release, guitar hero Alexi Laiho and company are said to have pushed some of their own boundaries on the album produced by Matt Hyde (Slayer, Monster Magnet).

"We worked super hard on this album, at least for me it was pretty much no sleep or rest for six weeks," Laiho said in statement. "But we were determined to make the best COB album ever, so we were willing to do whatever it took. Of course, having our producer Matt Hyde kicking our asses 24/7 definitely made the results even better, so obviously we're more than anxious to get this album out there."

According to Laiho, the label really pushed for them to record with Hyde. "Our management was pushing the idea," the guitarist said in a recent interview with Revolver magazine. "So eventually it was, 'All right, f--- it. Just to shut them up, let's do it.' We liked the way [Hyde] talked about music and the way he was already so f---ing committed. He wanted to do the best f---ing Children of Bodom album ever and was pretty serious and convincing about that. After five minutes of talking to the dude, we knew he was the guy."

As for what to expect musically, Laiho added, "It's maybe a little more melodic than 'Blooddrunk' was. It's maybe more guitar riff-oriented, really '80s guitar and stuff like that."

The band has already shot a video for the track 'Was it Worth It?' at the central Pennsylvania sports compound Camp Woodward. Directed by Dale Resteghini of Raging Nation Films (Shadows Fall, Hatebreed), the guerrilla-style video has the band playing around two-time X Games gold medalist skater Chris Cole and fellow pros Jamie Thomas and Tom Asta.