Title: BLOODBOUND - Tabula Rasa
Description: BLOODBOUND - Tabula Rasa
Description: BLOODBOUND - Tabula Rasa
metal4life - September 22, 2009 11:20 AM (GMT)
BLOODBOUND
Tabula Rasa
Blistering 2009
In case you are not a familiar with this Swedish power metal combo here's a quick history. They consist of melodic rock and AOR luminaries from the Swedish underground who one day decided they wanted to have a bash at this melodic power metal game and hence they came up with Bloodbound moniker and quickly released a debut with a little hype in the underground. They managed to get Urban Breed of Tad Morose fame no less to sing on their debut Nosferatu, which had more Maidenisms than you can shake a stick at. However in fact, it was a brilliant brilliant record despite the strange and rather odd corpse paint gimmick the band used which confused a lot of true black metal fans completely which was rather funny actually to us power metal fans!
Any how for the sophomore record Urban was no longer in the band for various reasons, but the band marched on with the addition of hard rock singer Michael Bormann who was singing slightly outside his comfort zone in my opinion. Still it was a good and solid record built upon nice melodic tunes and with Bormann offering up a rougher more metal version of his normal melodic hard rock vocals.
Finally we arrive at Tabula Rasa and it seems the band leaders decided that Michael either didn't fit in the band's style or lived just too far away to continue to give 100% to the band and they started playing live with Urban again and finally he's back singing in the band. Now there's no doubt Urban is the best vocalist for this band by far and he proves this song after song on this third outing.
Tabula Rasa is a real 'tour de force' of melodic power metal. However this is a far different beast than that was seen on Nosferatu and Book of the Dead the second CD. The production and musical style has changed a great deal. It has become much more mature and modern with little if anything in the way of the classic 80s style that was heard on the debut. Not to say that this is inferior in any way though as this is a great record in it's own right.
It must be said that Urban coming back has probably saved the band from fading away to be honest. His vocals and melodies in general are superb with lots of sweeping catchy chorus work such as in the track Dominion 5 which is one of the songs of the year if you ask me.
Musically the band has gotten much tighter and with a much heavier edge to the guitars. The galloping old school feel of old has been replaced by intricate tight melodic riffing, something akin to Iced Earth or even Nevermore albeit with a much more melodic edge.
Take One is a song which features all the band's new found power and traits to perfection. Taut, sinewy riffs giving way to a super catchy chorus from Urban with a cool drum pattern behind the riffs. The title track Tabula Rasa is split into two separate parts which is perhaps their most progressive sounding piece whilst yet very focused and still highly melodic. The riffs are far more complicated sounding too with the odd blinding solo ripped out to wake you up here and there.
Towards the end of the CD, A Twisted Kind of Fate is a huge highlight with it's twisting melodic riffs and memorable chorus. A great song that one and almost worth the price of admission alone.
The only thing I miss sometimes from the Nosferatu days is the galloping riffs and the Maidenesque melodies which have all but dissapeared. The band has moved on from that style and as fans we often have to accept that our favourite bands often move on however in the case of Bloodbound we have nothing to worry about at all. These guys are serious pros at this power metal game and even if they alter style a touch, they still write great memorable songs and in Urban Breed have one of the best power metal singers in the world today.
I think I still prefer Nosferatu over this record but this is real fine stuff and an easy no brainer for any heavy power metal fan who is a fan of hard hitting riffs, soulful melodies and soaring vocals. Plus song after song the standard remains at a level which most bands can only dream about so you can listen to the album all the way without the urge to skip any songs. Hopefully one day we might get to see Bloodbound live here in the UK as I'm sure they put on a hell of a show. For now repeated plays of Tabula Rasa is mandatory.
© Pirage Forsi
Rating **** (4.0/5.0)
Buy at Amazon
Tabula Rasa
Blistering 2009
In case you are not a familiar with this Swedish power metal combo here's a quick history. They consist of melodic rock and AOR luminaries from the Swedish underground who one day decided they wanted to have a bash at this melodic power metal game and hence they came up with Bloodbound moniker and quickly released a debut with a little hype in the underground. They managed to get Urban Breed of Tad Morose fame no less to sing on their debut Nosferatu, which had more Maidenisms than you can shake a stick at. However in fact, it was a brilliant brilliant record despite the strange and rather odd corpse paint gimmick the band used which confused a lot of true black metal fans completely which was rather funny actually to us power metal fans!
Any how for the sophomore record Urban was no longer in the band for various reasons, but the band marched on with the addition of hard rock singer Michael Bormann who was singing slightly outside his comfort zone in my opinion. Still it was a good and solid record built upon nice melodic tunes and with Bormann offering up a rougher more metal version of his normal melodic hard rock vocals.
Finally we arrive at Tabula Rasa and it seems the band leaders decided that Michael either didn't fit in the band's style or lived just too far away to continue to give 100% to the band and they started playing live with Urban again and finally he's back singing in the band. Now there's no doubt Urban is the best vocalist for this band by far and he proves this song after song on this third outing.
Tabula Rasa is a real 'tour de force' of melodic power metal. However this is a far different beast than that was seen on Nosferatu and Book of the Dead the second CD. The production and musical style has changed a great deal. It has become much more mature and modern with little if anything in the way of the classic 80s style that was heard on the debut. Not to say that this is inferior in any way though as this is a great record in it's own right.
It must be said that Urban coming back has probably saved the band from fading away to be honest. His vocals and melodies in general are superb with lots of sweeping catchy chorus work such as in the track Dominion 5 which is one of the songs of the year if you ask me.
Musically the band has gotten much tighter and with a much heavier edge to the guitars. The galloping old school feel of old has been replaced by intricate tight melodic riffing, something akin to Iced Earth or even Nevermore albeit with a much more melodic edge.
Take One is a song which features all the band's new found power and traits to perfection. Taut, sinewy riffs giving way to a super catchy chorus from Urban with a cool drum pattern behind the riffs. The title track Tabula Rasa is split into two separate parts which is perhaps their most progressive sounding piece whilst yet very focused and still highly melodic. The riffs are far more complicated sounding too with the odd blinding solo ripped out to wake you up here and there.
Towards the end of the CD, A Twisted Kind of Fate is a huge highlight with it's twisting melodic riffs and memorable chorus. A great song that one and almost worth the price of admission alone.
The only thing I miss sometimes from the Nosferatu days is the galloping riffs and the Maidenesque melodies which have all but dissapeared. The band has moved on from that style and as fans we often have to accept that our favourite bands often move on however in the case of Bloodbound we have nothing to worry about at all. These guys are serious pros at this power metal game and even if they alter style a touch, they still write great memorable songs and in Urban Breed have one of the best power metal singers in the world today.
I think I still prefer Nosferatu over this record but this is real fine stuff and an easy no brainer for any heavy power metal fan who is a fan of hard hitting riffs, soulful melodies and soaring vocals. Plus song after song the standard remains at a level which most bands can only dream about so you can listen to the album all the way without the urge to skip any songs. Hopefully one day we might get to see Bloodbound live here in the UK as I'm sure they put on a hell of a show. For now repeated plays of Tabula Rasa is mandatory.
© Pirage Forsi
Rating **** (4.0/5.0)
Buy at Amazon