#30 - Top of 2019

Bloodbound - Rise of the Dragon Empire (AFM Records)

Just as we reach the top 30, we find the Swedish power-metallers, Bloodbound, with their 8th full length album, a worthy follow-up to their 2017 release, War of Dragons. Kicking off with the uplifting and melodic "Rise of the Dragon Empire" which sets the tone of epic storytelling about dragon battles, the album promises an amazing journey with catchy tunes and interesting choruses with songs like "Slayer of Kings" begging for a sing-along! Although Patrick J Selleby's vocals are distinctive and powerful, what elevates the songs is definitely the way his vocals are blended with manly sing-along choruses adding a more imposing element to the songs. The record is quite diverse changing pacing between quick-paced Sabaton-like tunes such as "Giants of Heaven" to the Hammerfall-like "A Blessing in Sorcery" and Edguy/Avantasia-reminiscent tunes as heard in "Skyriders and Stormbringer", never failing to amaze and always delivering awesome melodies and fantastic lyrical tales. Just in case you had any doubts about them being influenced by George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, you can check out "Blackwater Bay" and "Balerion" which are direct references to RRR Martin's Westeros mythos. It sounds like Bloodbound have found the secret recipe in successfully mixing all the awesome cheesy elements of power metal with tales about dragonwars!


93.7/100

Below is the music video for the song "Rise of the Dragon Empire".