Unholy Cross

After weaker progressive metal album Tabula Rasa, Bloodbound realized they should return to their power metal sound, and they did it. When they said Urban Breed left band again I was disappointed. I thought they will hardly find fitting replacement this time, but I was wrong. When I heard songs from Patrik Johansson's band Dawn Of Silence, I thought he will sound girlish like he sounded there, but I was wrong again. He sounds manly enough, although there are some moments where his voice is unnecessarily over-soaring. This release is 10 steps forward comparing to Tabula Rasa, but 2 steps back comparing to Book Of The Dead. Book Of The Dead is their most original power metal studio album, besides Tabula Rasa of course (but Tabula Rasa is progressive metal), that's why I made this comparison. These steps back are related to bigger similarity with their influences. This is not one of those bands who lack riffs, and use electric guitars to make even more melodies combined with girly, pop-like vocals and rely on keyboards.

These guys make power metal like it should have been - intense, powerful, creative, massive, technical, etc., although this release has over-soaring vocals abuse. When you look at Bloodbound's lineup you will notice that they have keyboardist Fredrik Bergh. Keyboards were present on past Bloodbound albums, but in few songs, and in few parts of the songs only. They were more notable on Tabula Rasa. here, they appear only during Patrick's singing in some songs as a backing instrument, they are not part of the solos, and they last few seconds only. It is also difficult to choose the best track. Song Moria will occupy listener's attention after the very first listen. It's like a sudden impact - it enters your ear, and stays in your mind... forever.

How can one forget those head-crushing riffs and epic chorus at the beginning, and the rest of the song as well. It is great representative song for this release, that's why it appeared first on YouTube. It's bombastic, epic, intense and mind-blowing. Drop The Bomb is as devastating as those atomic bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, made of faster tempo, strong and massive riffs and refrains. The Ones We Left Behind has power ballad-like feel, but it's not. It has slower tempo, calm vocals, clean guitar intro... so, everything gives power ballad feel, but sky-high vocals in refrains, fierce drums and riffs give huge amount of power. That prevents it from being power ballad. Sharp riffs, lesser progressions, exciting sung parts and wicked guitar solo are trademarks of In For The Kill.

Brothers Of War is the only pure power ballad. Passionate electric guitar work, acoustic guitar intro mixed with clean guitar tunes, slow tempo, and lyrics which lead us into soldier's mind after the war is over. Unholy Cross belongs to this group of much unique and more blasting songs. Again blazing riffs, well-written lyrics, enjoyable tempo, rhythm and vocals, and brilliant guitar solo, probably the best from this studio album. All of their solos are perfect (except Tabula Rasa), which is a rare thing. Not many other guitar duos have the amount of talent and creativity like Olsson brothers. Both Tomas and Henrik are underrated guitarists, and they deserve more recognition, just like Bloodbound in general. Not only Patrik, Tomas and Henrik are great members. The drummer Pelle Åkerlind did impressive job again, while bassist Anders Broman remains unnoticed. That's what happens in bands like Bloodbound, HammerFall or Sabaton where other band members do bloody amazing work.

You noticed that these songs have very similar formula: killer riffs, technical guitar solos, soaring vocals, fast and mid tempo. Well, the rest of the songs have very similar structure, but they will grow on listener after few plays. Bloodbound's members use that formula because they can, and they do it great. I decided to describe these six songs, 'cause that's what made me interested in the rest of the album after progressive metal release Tabula Rasa. Tabula Rasa is not bad, it's much more original than Book Of The Dead, but it's a huge sound change. I can't get used to that modern approach, and that's why I don't like that release much. I hope they will continue their way in order to find their own sound they had on Book Of The Dead, before line-up and sound changes.

Good sides of this release:
It's perfect release, every song is excellent. Some of them have to grow on listener, and that will keep you glued to this release. From power ballad, slower and faster songs, to extremely face-melting blazing songs. This studio album is full of surprises. I recommend it for every metalhead.

Bad sides of this release:
A bit lame lyrical parts of very few songs, and some over-soaring vocal moments. But that doesn't affect this release much, 'cause other things are perfect.

Highlights:
Every single song.