That popular British saying about waiting ages for a bus and then two arrive at once, suddenly seems pertinent to fantasy Power Metal bands. Last year the UK brought us Fellowship’s debut and now Battle Born unleash their first full-length offering. That lyrical fantasy element and a penchant for European Power Metal influence is really where the similarity ends however. Battle Born are a Heavy/Power Metal band rather than Symphonic Power Metal, utilising keyboards rather than orchestration and leaning very much towards the Scandinavian side of European Power Metal.

Taking lyrical inspiration from the Elder Scrolls – namely Skyrim’s Windhelm, Eastmarch, we are treated to a myriad of tales about courage, bravery…and of course dragons! When you hear the keyboard flourishes in ‘Dragon Heart’ and ‘Power Force’, there’s an air of Beast In Black about the band’s sound, but as the album unfolds there are equally nods towards Bloodbound, Sabaton and Hammerfall, but wrapped up and added to in Battle Born’s own individual style. The music is superbly performed throughout, right up there with some of the best that the rest of Europe has to offer and joyously the vocals easily match the quality of the music, carrying the memorable bombastic choruses perfectly, it’s so good to hear a British vocalist able to crown an album that can easily mix with our much more prolific European counterparts.

This is an extremely enjoyable, uplifting album right from the core. Almost completely devoid of the national cynicism that we seem to excel at, Battle Born ride their fantastical vision right through the heart of it all. There’s galloping anthems delivered with as much intensity and energy as pounding, stomping battle cries, encompassing every mood and vibe that a Power Metal album should display. The band sound like they are also enjoying playing every minute of it and with a good production, mix and artwork, this excellent album really is the real deal.

(8.5/10 Andy Barker)

https://www.facebook.com/battlebornuk

https://battlebornuk.bandcamp.com/album/blood-fire-magic-and-steel