Recent Reviews

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

December 2023

November 2023

[ More Music Reviews ]


Bloodbound: Rise Of The Dragon Empire
Bloodbound - Rise Of The Dragon Empire Music Review

Bloodbound: Rise Of The Dragon Empire

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal
4.5/5.0

I've followed Bloodbound's career with interest from the very beginning. Excepting their first album, I've reviewed all of their albums on this site. Now the Swedish band returns with their eighth studio album, Rise Of The Dragon Empire. The album continues the lyrical fantasy themes of dragons, swords, and sorcery found in recent albums.

Bloodbound Photo - Click For Larger Image

Bloodbound

Musically, Bloodbound strays little from their signature bombastic power metal style. Once more, the band offers twin guitar harmony, fiery solos, speed and groove from the rhythm section, and clean soaring lead vocals backed by fine choral vocal arrangements. To embellish their epic metal sound, all these things are wrapped in orchestral synths. Several songs will hook you with the symphonic synths at the start such as The Warlock's Trail, A Blessing In Sorcery, and Balerion, with the latter two offering huge drums to start. Additionally, Bloodbound slips in some Nordic folk textures within Slayer Of Kings and Reign Of Fire. After this, in songs like Giants Of Heaven, Magical Eye, and Breaking The Beast you'll find Bloodbound's typical melodic heavy metal with plenty of speed and groove. All in all, Bloodbound's Rise Of The Dragon Empire is simply another fine platter of epic and bombastic Bloodbound melodic and symphonic power metal. Easily recommended.



Another Dangerdog Review
Stonecast - I Earther Music Review

Stonecast: I Earther

Heavy/Power Metal
3.5/5.0

Missing in action for six years, France's Stonecast finally returns with their third long player, I Earther, having some sci-fi themes. But somebody needs to explain how many ... [ Read More ]


CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

The Bottom Line

All in all, Bloodbound's Rise Of The Dragon Empire is simply another fine platter of epic and bombastic Bloodbound melodic and symphonic power metal. Easily recommended.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity Album Review

Once more we return to multi-national band Lords Of Black which features Ronnie Romero (v), Dani Criado (b), Jo Nunez (d), and founder, guitarist, and principal songwriter Tony Hernando. After a three year ... [ Read More ]