After seemingly battling dragons non-stop for last four years, I’m afraid the shit’s really hit the fan(tasy) in Bloodbound’s world! No sooner have they banished those pesky fire-breathing miscreants than suddenly there’s a new set of creatures to deal with – and this lot look like a right set of evil little buggers. No rest for the wicked eh? So, what better way to see off a load of Mortiis lookalikes than bombarding them with song after song of upbeat, catchy Melodic Power Metal?! I’m sure it’s a tactic that’d soon have Mortiis cowering in a corner covering his pointy little ears and I can think of a few of my fellow Ave Noctum writers who would probably rather lop off an ear or two rather than endure it so I guess it’s worth a bash!
So catchy choruses and galloping rhythms are once more the order of the day as Bloodbound present their ninth album in 16 years, with a stable line-up in place for the last three albums. Most of the songs on offer hear are designed to hook you in instantly and although there is depth to the music, the vocal lines are pretty much the theme that each track centres around. There’s more than a passing nod to the usual protagonists like Hammerfall, Rhapsody (…Of Fire, Luca Turilli etc), classic Helloween, Edguy and the like, but after 9 albums I think it’s fair enough to state that ‘Creatures Of The Dark Realm’ sounds uncannily like Bloodbound as the band now appear to have such a definite vision. identity and way forward.
On the whole, “Creatures Of The Dark Realm” treads firmly on a tried and tested Melodic Power Metal path, pushing into galloping Symphonic Power Metal on tracks like ‘Death Will Lead The Way’ and ‘The Gargoyles Gate’, introduce elements of Priest and Maiden on their classic Metal side and veer off into…let’s call it “very instant and possibly a hint too catchy” territory for songs like ‘When Fate Is Calling’ or ‘Face Of Evil’ – all sporting the most memorable of choruses of course, whatever their guise. They even have hints of the Dynazty’s recent approach on ‘Gathering Of Souls’ and on the whole this is another worthy slice of bombastic Metal of undeniable quality. If you already like Bloodbound or if you love Melodic Power Metal, this album is for you. If you don’t…it isn’t. Quite simple really.
(7.5/10 Andy Barker)
Leave a Reply