BLOODBOUND - Tabula Rasa
BLOODBOUND - Tabula Rasa
\r\nThe Swedish outfit Bloodbound are a relatively newcomer name in the metal scene, since they were formed in 2004 and released their first album “Nosferatu” in 2005. “Tabula Rasa” is their third and latest offering, following the release of “Book Of The Dead” in 2007. In “Tabula Rasa” we see the return of original vocalist Urban Breed (previously on Pyramaze and mostly known from his participation in Tad Morose until 2005) who was shortly replaced on “The Book Of The Dead” by Michel Borman (Zeno, Bonfire).
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\r\nWhat we find in “Tabula Rasa” is a piece of quality power metal following the Swedish sound of course and what is obvious from the first notes is the fact that this album is very carefully crafted. The production is great and gives a modern and fresh sound, with the necessary heaviness of course but also very clear, so that the really good melodies found here can be highlighted to the maximum. Generally speaking, the songs are well written and executed, with a clever rotation between the fast and the mid-tempo ones and as a result the album flows pleasantly from beginning to end, without becoming boring or even annoying, while the choruses are really beautiful and distinct enough so that at least some of them can find their way to stick to your mind after one or two listenings. However, if I really had to pick some special songs, for me it would be the opener “Sweet Dream Of Madness” and “Twisted Kind Of Fate”, but I am sure everyone could find something special for him in every song. Finally, what deserves a further reference is Urban Breed’s performance, who sings here in a slightly more melodic style, leaving aside the heavier vocals he used for Tad Morose, something which of course is good, since in that way the band avoids any feels of similarity with Breed’s former band because the 2 groups may belong to the same scene but have some distinct differences to their sound.
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\r\nSo Bloodbound are here and they seem that they are to stay here, especially if they continue to offer us albums as good as “Tabula Rasa”. All fans of melodic power metal (and not only them of course) should give them a chance and they are surely not to be let down.
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\r\nWhat we find in “Tabula Rasa” is a piece of quality power metal following the Swedish sound of course and what is obvious from the first notes is the fact that this album is very carefully crafted. The production is great and gives a modern and fresh sound, with the necessary heaviness of course but also very clear, so that the really good melodies found here can be highlighted to the maximum. Generally speaking, the songs are well written and executed, with a clever rotation between the fast and the mid-tempo ones and as a result the album flows pleasantly from beginning to end, without becoming boring or even annoying, while the choruses are really beautiful and distinct enough so that at least some of them can find their way to stick to your mind after one or two listenings. However, if I really had to pick some special songs, for me it would be the opener “Sweet Dream Of Madness” and “Twisted Kind Of Fate”, but I am sure everyone could find something special for him in every song. Finally, what deserves a further reference is Urban Breed’s performance, who sings here in a slightly more melodic style, leaving aside the heavier vocals he used for Tad Morose, something which of course is good, since in that way the band avoids any feels of similarity with Breed’s former band because the 2 groups may belong to the same scene but have some distinct differences to their sound.
\r\n
\r\nSo Bloodbound are here and they seem that they are to stay here, especially if they continue to offer us albums as good as “Tabula Rasa”. All fans of melodic power metal (and not only them of course) should give them a chance and they are surely not to be let down.
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\r\nLambros “Metalshock” Panetas
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