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Tales From The North

    
       
       
       
     
             
Bloodbound are a heavy metal band from Sweden formed in 2004, releasing ten albums over a near two decade career - 'Nosferatu' (2005), 'Book Of The Dead' (2007), 'Tabula Rasa' (2009), 'Unholy Cross' (2011), 'In The Name Of Metal' (2012), 'Stormborn' (2014), 'War Of Dragons' (2017), 'Rise Of The Dragon Empire' (2019), 'Creatures Of The Dark Realm' (2021) and 'Tales From The North', released in 2023.    
             
The band are recognised as one of Europe's finest anthemic and epic metal bands, their sound evolving to incorporate symphonic and power metal elements too, with grandeur and flair a massive part of what Bloodbound do! None more so than on the bands latest opus 'Tales From The North', a forty six minute march of infectious and spellbinding heavy metal. The band are in fine form here - and when are they not - pounding the ground with elegance and majesty. Album opener, and title song, 'Tales From The North' floats in on the crest of an immense mellow passage, creating a tense atmosphere of anticipation as soulful vocals cascade like a waterfall! And then wam, bam, thank you heavy metal, 'Tales From The North' (the song) is up and running the only way Bloodbound know how - a perfect meld of melodic power metal and classic "foot on the monitor" heavy metal. And let's be honest, if you're looking for heavy metal with tonnes of finesse - you're looking in the right place. The album marches on with the anthemic thunder of 'Drink With The Gods', a massive rabble rousing call to arms feel rising high in the air. And a colossal chant style chorus too, that every listener, fan, follower and concert goer will heartily sing a long to.    
             
A fabulous opening double salvo, becomes a terrific opening triple salvo, Bloodbound roaring forth with 'Odin's Prayer', another perfect example of how melodic heavy/power metal should sound. The band have been at the forefront of the worldwide metal scene for years now, proudly holding aloft the metal flag - Bloodbound have been there, done that in terms of everything a band can do! And still they're not resting on their laurels, pushing themselves on, stretching horizons and breaking new ground, 'The Raven's Cry' bringing just a hint of folk metal to the album - along with the mighty gallop of traditional sounding heavy metal! Feet are firmly planted on the monitors here, Bloodbound adopting the iconic metal pose, standing tall and very, very proud. The infectious level since the album began has been getting stronger and stronger with every song that passes by, 'Mimir's Crystal Eye' picking up the pace and thundering off at full tilt! The fastest song heard so far, 'Mimir's Crystal Eye' will have the head bangers of the world stretching their neck muscles further than at any other point during the album so far!    
             
All the songs on offer clock in at around four or five minutes in length, paving the way for a quick and very enjoyable listen, Bloodbound rarely allowing any time for a breather - 'Between The Enemy Lines' displaying a tremendous surge of energy, a party metal feel filling the air. The style of metal the band have on show here with 'Between The Enemy Lines', is the style power metallers Battle Beast, Beast In Black and Metalite have taken on board - Bloodbound influencing the direction of a new generation of metal bands! And it's with blistering speed that 'Land Of Heroes' comes hurtling round the mountain, blazing a fiery trail of flames and smoke, sending the mosh pits into overdrive! The fastest song heard on the album so far, 'Land Of Heroes' is exactly the style of heavy metal I could live on twenty-four-seven! The breathless pace of the album is incredible, Bloodbound not pulling over for any kind of break, 'Sail Among The Dead' maintaining the recent upsurge in speed! And for the second song on the trot, I've been furiously head banging, which has made me make a few spelling mistakes! Thank god for spell checker eh - correcting all my errors as I frantically type faster and faster trying to keep pace with the band!    
             
Thankfully, Bloodbound slow down to a majestic mid tempo stride for 'Stake My Claims', allowing my fingers a much needed rest - the band fusing anthemic metal with bold, big and bombastic melodic power metal. Bloodbound have been at the forefront of the Swedish, European, and worldwide metal scenes for a while now, and on the evidence of 'Tales From The North' (the album), the band are gonna remain there for some years to come! And an enormous party feel takes front and centre with 'Sword And Axe', perfectly blending everything great about power, anthemic and traditional foot on the monitor metal - Bloodbound delivering a brand of metal rich in majesty and dripping with grandeur! It appears that even after twenty years, the band are still getting better and better, with each new album more impressive than the last. And in what seems like no time at all, the final song is upon us - and what a song! Many years ago when I was at school, history wasn't a great subject of mine, but I do remember why the year 1066 was a momentous year for England. But even if I couldn't remember why, '1066' (the final song) tells me everything I need to know - where were Bloodbound when I was at school? Oh yea, that's right, not even fucking born! And let's be honest, if you had to submit an essay on the events at the Battle Of Hastings in 1066, just use Bloodbound's '1066'. I'm sure you'd get a Grade A. Or a pass! Or a distinction! Or whatever the school grading system is nowadays!    
             
Overall, 'Tales From The North' is a breath taking gallop of majestic and highly melodic heavy come power metal with an immense infectious level.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
Review is also featured at Metal-Roos    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
War Of Dragons      
           
"blistering speed metal played with perfect precision, Bloodbound have delivered a high velocity blast of fierce heavy metal" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Rise Of The Dragon Empire      
           
"a superb offering of symphonic power metal from masters of the genre, Bloodbound deliver a great album of energy and passion" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Bloodheads United E.P.      
           
"a superb metal hymn and storming live performances, 'Bloodheads United' is an exclusive, yet fantastic E.P." Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Creatures Of The Dark realm      
           
"a relentless assault of highly infectious and melodic heavy metal from one of the genres greatest bands" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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