Metalheads have been waiting for this. Children of Bodom is back. After three years, the Finnish quintet releases “Are You Dead Yet?,” their follow up to the critically acclaimed Hatecrew Deathroll.As they have done with each previous release, COB inches just a little closer toward the mainstream. This album is bursting at the seams with catchy melodies (at least as catchy as deathtrashspeedmetal can get). They also try to expand their musical range, which means they slowed it down on a few songs like “Next in Line” and “Punch Me I Bleed,” which is almost balladic.

COB has something that few other bands in their genre do. That is some serious freaking talent. The amazing guitar solos have been the bread and butter of COB since they started, but all members shine on “Are You Dead Yet?” Drums pound like never before; bass lines punch like never before, and the keyboards, geez, the keyboards. Purists may have a problem with keyboards becoming increasingly melodic, but come on guys. What is so wrong with a little melody?

COB is a household name in the metal world, and it is easy to see why. These guys are almost showing off on their seriously catchy (yet metal) first track “Living Dead Beat” and the title track “Are You Dead Yet?”

This album is nearly perfect. There is only one major problem on the disc (I will get to that later). The musicianship is flawless; all the tracks work alone and as part of the entire album, and the production quality is top-shelf. Great metal band. Great metal album. Buy it. (At least to annoy your neighbors.)

The horrible mistake on “Are You Dead Yet?” is that they cover “Hit Me Baby, One More Time.” This is very, very, very unnecessary. A metal band covering a Britney Spears song: how cute. They did not even try to change the song up. I am sure my mom would think it was funny, but she thinks Jeff Foxworthy and Kelly Ripa are cool, too. Bad call guys.