On disc: Bloodbound

 
 Tabula Rasa
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Unholy Cross
 
- Lars Bjørn -
 
 


 
 In The Name Of Metal
 
- Lars Bjørn -
 
 

In The Name Of Metal

(AFM Records - 2012)



 
 

 

There is heavy metal, and then there is traditional heavy metal rooted in the NWoBHM that several bands base their music on. The Swedish heavy rockers Bloodbound are releasing a new album, and with singer Patrick Johansson replacing Urban Breed there is no doubt about Bloodbound has a new dominant role in Swedish metal. This CD, In The Name Of Metal, is going through the roof with melodic hard heavy metal that has some influence from HammerFall and Yngwie Malmsteen in the basic creative songwriting, and on the lighter material Bon Jovi comes in as an inspiring source. But without hesitation I would call In The Name Of Metal the best metal album from a Swedish band in 2012, everything is fantastic well worked and points directly in the eye of any heavy metal fan as an album not to be missed, when you evaluate which music you should choose from the music shop. I'm sure the Swedish music buyers will find this album in the top 10 when they go their local warehouse to look in the music department, Bloodbound has definitely found the right ingredients for a cocktail of metal. Briskly they start the album with the song In The Name Of Metal, solid melodic heavy metal in the way HammerFall could have done it. When Demons Collide gives space for massive drums in another of their metal madness crusades. Bonebreaker makes a metal fan smile to listen to deep heavy metal that oozes of traditional metal quality. Son Of Babylon is a little softer in a hard rock style, but still melodic and heavy enough to satisfy the general metal fan. Monstermind is the glam metal song where Bon Jovi have some influence to the song, but Bloodbound make their own melodic ideas comes first, but great no matter you see it. As a bonus song comes Book Of The Dead, one of their earlier songs, but with such a metal rhythm it's not a shame to present it once more, great controlled heavy metal that again fits in the pocket without difficulty. Book Of The Dead, the book that Satan writes, and in Bloodbound's words and music the joy is complete.

 
 










Lars Bjørn


  
up 













Unholy Cross

(AFM Records - 2011)



 
 

 

What can we say to this release from the band from middle of Sweden... Their 4th CD is a powerful one with great elements and a mixed structure to say at least. The music is inspired by Helloween, Dark Moor and Hammerfall, but the style varies from traditional heavy metal to power metal in a raw form, and then goes to flat glam metal at the other end of the scale. The band itself comes from the close neighborhood of Finsprång / Bollnäs in Sweden and when you look at the places where they play concerts they do their concerts in that neighborhood area, plus a trip to Poland, and for summer 2011 only two concerts are planned: Hungary and Czech Republic. Why in the name of hell is it going so slow? Their music is brilliant, high guitar technique, competent compositions where all members of Bloodbound are clearly heard with intense rhythm pressure on all songs, we even get a nice ballad called Brothers Of War and here it proves that new vocalist Patrik Johansson is a good choice, he fills the position with powerful agressive singing that stands for the same quality as the rest of the guys. 11 songs that are all good and powerful, everything rounded up by the title song Unholy Cross, maybe the most powerful of all the songs on this CD. Only negative element on this album is that they make a copy of Hammerfall's song Glory To The Brave, and they are not getting away with very well.
 
 










Lars Bjørn


  
up 













Tabula Rasa

(Blistering Records - 2009)



 
 

 

Urban Breed joined Bloodbound again. Will this effect the band's sound? Coz this time he was involved in the song writing, taking care of vocal melodies and lyrics. Well, it does!

The album is called Tabula Rasa and it a kind of fresh start... Like re-starting with a blank state of mind, no prejudice.

The Swedish kick off with Sweet Dreams Of Madness, a fast melodic tune with a light progressive touch. But the song is powerful and also has a dash of aggression. A good opener. A bit more progressive is the fast Dominion 5. Singer Urban Breed's vocals later add a melancholy edge. The refrain is catchy and will soon haunt you! The title track Tabula Rasa is another guitar-driven track with a catchy hook. On top you get a neo-classical influenced guitar solo. And even if Bloodbound changed, there are still references to their past and their influences audible. After Night Touches You you'll get part 2 of Tabula Rasa. Another fast guitar-driven track with some wild guitar solo - and a catchy refrain. So even if it sounds like the songs are all the same, they aren't! At Plague Doctor they add some mid-paced parts and the refain you'll soon sing along! Almost thrash they present themselves at the beginning of Twisted Kind Of Fate, but then they change and present a heavy melodic rocker.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 







 
 • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com