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Bloodbound: Creatures of The Dark Realm
Bloodbound - Creatures of The Dark Realm Album Art

Bloodbound: Creatures of The Dark Realm

Heavy/Power Metal
3.0/5.0

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AFM Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 05.24.2021 | Released: 28.05.2021

So, what's new with Sweden's Bloodbound? Actually, not much. The band has consistently released albums about every two years since 2005 and they've had a stable lineup since 2017. Excepting one or two albums, the band has had the same demonic mascot on the cover, though the fellow has evolved somewhat. And Bloodbound still plays epic European power metal with themes of fantasy, sword and sorcery, war and battle, and demons and darker things.

Bloodbound - Click For Larger Image

Bloodbound

In other words, there's nothing new under the sun when it comes to Bloodbound and their heavy metal. But I think we all know that; certainly the band knows it and makes no apology for it. Now the band returns with their ninth studio album Creatures of The Dark Realm, with their ever-evolving mascot gracing the cover once more. Within is more of the same: Bloodbound power metal. More as commentary than review, I've always found it curious that Bloodbound combines demonic imagery, black metal costuming and cosmetics, and dark lyrical themes with melodic power metal which is high on song melody, guitar harmony, and catchy refrains for large stomping anthems. It's somewhere between contradictory and paradoxical, but it works. And fans of the band love them for it. You can hear Bloodbound's faithful, fast and heavy, power metal with Creatures Of The Dark Realm, Face Of Evil, The Wicked And The Weak, and Death Will Lead The Way. For some novelty (but not really), songs like Ever Burning Flame and Gathering Of Souls lead with choral gang vocals. If you're lucky enough you'll hear Fredrik Bergh's keyboards rise within When Fat Is Calling and March Into War.

All said, and simply, with Creatures of The Dark Realm Bloodbound once more delivers their trademark European power metal. Did you expect something different. Recommended for fans of the band and the power metal genre.




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The Take Away

All said, and simply, with Creatures of The Dark Realm Bloodbound once more delivers their trademark European power metal. Did you expect something different. Recommended for fans of the band and the power metal genre.

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