Review Summary: Power attack!
Having not heard this band before, I jumped straight into their 2021 album: Creatures of the Dark Realm. My immediate reaction was a feeling of faux familiarity, and pleasantry. Melodic power chords are at work in this incredibly generic power metal album. Catchy melodies are indeed preferred to original riffs, though shredding and double bass pedals ensue at times. The album is a mix of old school head bangers and also songs that have more in common with disco than heavy metal. It’s not a new sound by any means, often reminding me of Powerwolf, Dream Evil, Battle Beast, and even Nightwish.
With traditional power metal and a modern sound intertwined, Bloodbath’s variety between tracks stirs up an exciting ride. Tracks are both pleasant and engaging - never boring or weak kneed - though the star is fittingly the lead singer. In every incursion, the old school type power metal singer has a compelling voice with bravado, and his high notes are pure Dream Evil (or Judas Priest) calibur. Thankfully, unlike so many power metal bands, his high range is not an annoyance or cheesy distraction. Eyes Come Alive is the song that comes to mind, best showing off his impressive vocals — fantastic song. His performance overall is professional, and considering he doesn’t deploy his high range that often, such tracks receive an explosive blast escalating their intrigue.
This could be an easy album to pass on for those weary of power metal. It sounds like every power metal album released pretty much. Aside from the singer’s high notes Bloodbound don’t have a unique motif to claim as their own. Considering how many power metal bands have a unique factor to make their music exponentially more potent, that does diminish Bloodbound’s efforts here in comparison. If there is one detriment it is the band’s lack of memorable moments.
Somehow, as generic as Creatures of the Dark Realm is, it also works. The songwriting wins the day, really. Songs are loaded with catchy choruses and beats that are streamlined to get you moving. The derivative nature of the album may leave it a little unmemorable in the end, but not completely. Each time I listen to this album I get a high from the enjoyment alone — a smashing success. Generic power metal it may be, but I wouldn’t pass up this album.
