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November 2024

• Voodoo Circle: Hail To The King
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October 2024

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September 2024

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August 2024

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[ More Music Reviews ]

Bloodbound: Rise Of The Dragon Empire

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal

4.5/5.0

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AFM Records
Released: 22.03.2019
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 13.03.2019

I've followed Bloodbound's career with interest from the very beginning. Excepting their first album, I've reviewed all of their albums on this site. Now the Swedish band returns with their eighth studio album, Rise Of The Dragon Empire. The album continues the lyrical fantasy themes of dragons, swords, and sorcery found in recent albums.

Bloodbound

Musically, Bloodbound strays little from their signature bombastic power metal style. Once more, the band offers twin guitar harmony, fiery solos, speed and groove from the rhythm section, and clean soaring lead vocals backed by fine choral vocal arrangements. To embellish their epic metal sound, all these things are wrapped in orchestral synths. Several songs will hook you with the symphonic synths at the start such as The Warlock's Trail, A Blessing In Sorcery, and Balerion, with the latter two offering huge drums to start. Additionally, Bloodbound slips in some Nordic folk textures within Slayer Of Kings and Reign Of Fire. After this, in songs like Giants Of Heaven, Magical Eye, and Breaking The Beast you'll find Bloodbound's typical melodic heavy metal with plenty of speed and groove. All in all, Bloodbound's Rise Of The Dragon Empire is simply another fine platter of epic and bombastic Bloodbound melodic and symphonic power metal. Easily recommended.

Stonecast: I Earther

Heavy/Power Metal

3.5/5.0

Missing in action for six years, France's Stonecast finally returns with their third long player, I Earther, having some sci-fi themes. But somebody needs to explain how many ... [ Read More ]

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

All in all, Bloodbound's Rise Of The Dragon Empire is simply another fine platter of epic and bombastic Bloodbound melodic and symphonic power metal. Easily recommended.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]