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BLOODBOUND
War Of Dragons
2017 AFM Records

Swedish power metalers BLOODBOUND have released six studio albums and a live DVD since 2005 and will release their seventh studio album on February 24th. The band had a revolving singer position for a while, previously featuring Michael Bormann and Urban Breed on several albums. The band now consists of Tomas Olsson (guitar), Henrik Olsson (guitar), Anders Broman (bass), Fredrik Bergh (keys), Pelle Akerlind (drums) and singer Patrik J. Selleby, who has been the band’s vocalist on four studio albums and the aforementioned live DVD.

Did you think dragon-themed power metal was played out? Boy, were you wrong, because BLOODBOUND takes it to another level here. Nearly every song is about dragons. Occasionally they mention swords and war. But mostly– it’s about dragons. I don’t recall much mention of dragons in previous BLOODBOUND albums, but I guess it’s not a stretch for the band to focus almost entirely on dragons. Fortunately, the songs are upbeat without being “happy”, the music is tight, speedy symphonic power metal, and there is actually very little cheese to be found.

The album is described as being a continuation of the 2014 release Stormborn. War Of Dragons begins the same way Stormborn did, with a spoken intro track, “A New Era Begins”. “Battle In The Sky” is a solid opening track. A video for the song can be viewed on KNAC.COM right HERE. “Tears Of A Dragonheart” features a very catchy chorus and laments the loss of the dragons in the kingdom. Title track “War Of Dragons” is one of the best songs on the album, and chugs along with a compelling riff and chorus. Bergh’s keyboards accent this track well. “Silver Wings” is another dragon-themed song, incorporating what seems to be a little BLIND GUARDIAN-type flair to it. “Stand And Fight” is another winner, describing bravery in battle. The song features a solid chorus and one of the best guitar solos on the album.

Selleby’s voice, which resides somewhere between the tone of Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR) and Joacim Cans (HAMMERFALL), sounds great on the album; this is certainly a perfect style to have in the power metal genre. “King Of Swords” contains one of Selleby’s most blistering lead vocals on the album. Selleby has used this range with great success on previous albums.

“Fallen Heroes” is a mid-tempo anthem with a huge chorus while “Guardians At The Gate” gallops along at full speed. “Symphony Satana” is possibly the most symphonic track on the album while “Starfall” has a folk-style influence to it. The album ends, appropriately, with “Dragons Are Forever”, a commendable anthem that closes this album perfectly.

Fans of HAMMERFALL, STRATOVARIUS, PRIMAL FEAR and even HELLOWEEN will enjoy War Of Dragons. If you’re a fan of fantasy-themed power metal, then this is the album for you. Hell, it might just be your album of the year. War Of Dragons will be released in a variety of formats, including CD, 2CD Digipak, colored vinyl and a limited edition box set. Be sure to catch BLOODBOUND on their first headlining tour this March and April with label mates CRYSTAL VIPER.

3.8 Out Of 5.0

Grab your copy of War Of Dragons in the KNAC.COM More Store right HERE.