To say that the world of heavy metal was gutted to learn of the passing of Children of Bodom frontman and guitar virtuoso Alexi “Wildchild” Laiho is an understatement. Though he passed just after Christmas, the general public did not learn of the tragedy until just after the new year, beginning 2021 with an incredibly sour note. As such, it put the future of Bodom After Midnight, the successor to Children of Bodom, in jeopardy.
The show must go on, of course, and it has been revealed that the three-song EP Paint the Sky with Blood, featuring the final recordings of Alexi Laiho, will be released via Napalm Records on April 23rd. This week, we’ve received the first glimpse of this release by way of the ripping, energetic title track.
Sonically speaking, this is quintessential Bodom, with the signature melodeath sound buffered by sections of blast beat-laden violence. There’s still a groove and swagger about it that keeps it more in line with modern Bodom, as opposed to the neo-classical metal roots of the band, though the bridge and instrumental break do carry shades of Follow the Reaper and Hatebreeder-era COB. Alexi’s solo is shred-tastic, with tapping and wah pedals galore.
Also featured on the EP are the track “Payback’s A Bitch” and a cover of Dissection’s “Where Dead Angels Lie.” Pre-order Paint the Sky with Blood here, and stream the title track below:
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