Rob caught up with Roope Latvala from Children Of bodom backstage before their headline show at Birmingham Academy to talk about their new album, festivals and much more.

We last spoke to you in the summer at Bloodstock Open Air, how did you find the festival and what’s been your main highlight as a band since then?
Roope Latvala (Guitarist): Bloodstock yeah, I remember playing it with Sinergy, and it was an indoor festival back then, it wasn't very well organised but this time, it was like day and night, much better, I like that festival.

You have recently put out your seventh studio album ‘Relentless Reckless Forever’, how has it gone down with your fans and the press so far?
The stuff I've read has mostly been good, there’s always some people who want us to do the same as follow the reaper, I’m pretty happy with the result, the feedback has been good, we've played a few of the new ones live, it’s always hard to play new songs live and hope they come across well, but they’re starting to go down pretty well now.

How did you find creating ‘Relentless Reckless Forever’ compared to your previous albums?
This time we took time off to rehearse properly, so we were ready for when we hit the studio, we had some demos done already, it was quick work in the studio, Matt Hyde our producer, he was awesome, he's a fast worker too, easy going too.

What themes and stories do you cover on the album this time around?
I don't know, you'll have to ask Alexi, It's dark and heavy.

What would you say your favourite song from the album is and why?
Each song is different, I like the fast stuff, Northpole Throwdown, it kicks ass immediately.

You have put out a new video for the song ‘Was It Worth It?’ was it as fun to make as it is to watch, and where was it shot at?
It was shot during a day off on tour, in the middle of a forest in Pennsylvania, it’s an oasis for skateboarders, it was fun watching the amazing skateboarders do their stuff, it was good to make that thing happen.

‘Relentless Reckless Forever’ has been released in various different formats, whose idea was this and do you know how popular each version of the album has been?
It was the record labels idea, the book idea was pretty cool, myself I'm a big vinyl fan, it was very cool to get the new vinyl and open it, and I love the cover art.

You are back in the UK on tour, how do you find touring the UK and what’s it been like having Amon Amarth supporting you this time around?
The UK is really good now, we got a good fan base here, it’s always good to play in front of many people that like your stuff, with Amon Amarth, we did a couple of tours n the US, so were good friends, I played one solo on their previous album, I might hit the stage tonight.

What do you have planned once your UK tour comes to an end in London on Saturday?
We got quite a few weeks to go, with machine head, we got some crazy places coming up, Istanbul, Athens, Milan, and it’s going to be different to play some places we haven't played before.

You just announced that you’re playing download this year, are you looking forward to it and will you be playing any other UK festivals?
There’s something wrong with that festival they don't seem to want to pay you much, were playing Wacken open air, some US and Canadian festivals, Japan, I think the danger is over now. But no UK more festivals.

You have had some of your tracks featured on Guitar Hero over the years, are you fans of Guitar Hero and if so how good are you at playing your on tracks on it?
We went to their workshop in Quebec, and saw how it’s done, and tried it out, but it’s got nothing to do with a real guitar, I prefer the real thing.

What’s your take on the digital revelation killing off the music industry?
Its unavoidable, it’s the way it is, some bands don't like to release anything, just stream/download it from a website, it’s a shame that it’s harder to sell albums any more, some are t shirt and gig based now, its case of trying to keep up with everything

Where do you hope to see Children Of Bodom a year’s time?
Still on tour, maybe working on some new stuff.

Thanks for your time is there a message for your fans reading this?
Keep it up and keep coming to the shows, God bless and Rock and Roll!

Interview By Robert Lawrence