It’s been a mere two years since I relieved Steel of his blood-bond to review Bloodbound, and the Swedes are already back with a follow-up to 2021’s Creatures of the Dark Realm. I enjoyed Creatures enough to feature it on my Honorable Mentions list for that year, and I stand by that, as my return listens have found the album to be as strong as ever. Like just about every other basic American white dude with trace amounts of Scandinavian heritage, my heart is stirred by tales of Vikings and Norse gods, so when I saw that the artwork for Bloodbound’s newest features their singer dressed in Viking cosplay attire, I hoped that my thirst for a new Brothers of Metal album would at least be partially quenched. Now gather ’round children, and let me tell you the tale of Tales from the North.
Once upon a time, the gods made heavy metal and saw that it was good, and with Tales from the North, Bloodbound aims to keep those gods fat and happy. The Bloodbound sound is still a mixture of classic HammerFallian power metal and the simpler, beefier version of the style that has become synonymous with Sabaton. Throw in some strong Norse lyrical elements, and Brothers of Metal indeed becomes a fine comparison as well. First single “Odin’s Prayer” demonstrates Bloodbound’s greatest strengths with its high-flying, melodic chorus and chunky guitar riffs. It’s a great power metal tune and an album highlight.
Tales of the North starts out very strong with a front half that just won’t quit. Euro-power enjoys great representation with the title track and “Mimir’s Crystal Eye,” while the Sabaton fans should enjoy the mid-paced drive of “The Raven’s Cry” and “Between the Enemy Lines.” “Drink with the Gods” feels like it could actually have been written by Brothers of Metal and is tailor-made for downing a horn of your favorite artisanal mead. Singer Patrik Selleby may not be the most unique or mind-blowing power metal vocalist you’ve ever heard, but his journeyman-like competence on this and many other Bloodbound records is nothing short of impressive. Longtime Bloodbound brothers of the axe, and brothers in real life, Tomas and Henrik Olsson are obviously steeped in experience as it sounds like they could compose solid power metal songs in their sleep.
Tales is a good power metal album, but a dip in quality after its midpoint keeps it from being anything more. The four-song run of “Land of Heroes,” “Sail among the Dead,” “Stake my Claims,” and “Sword and Axe” is a slate of fine power metal tracks, but it feels far more rote than what came before—maybe the Olsson bros did write some of these songs in their sleep. Fortunately, the Bloodbound longship corrects its course by ending the album, and the Viking Age itself, with the mighty “1066.” Add that one to “Odin’s Prayer,” “The Raven’s Cry,” “Mimir’s Crystal Eye,” and the title track, and there are enough highlights here to warrant a healthy amount of plays.
While I don’t find Tales of the North to be as consistently strong as its predecessor, I think there’s more than enough here to please my fellow power metal weenies. Chalk this up as another solid release in Bloodbound’s remarkably consistent discography.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: AFM Records
Website: facebook.com/bloodboundmetal
Releases Worldwide: July 7th, 2023
