Release Date: May 24, 2024
Genre: Power Metal
Label: Reaper Ent
Line Up:
Nils Coubaron
Michael Brush
Mika Livas
Francesco Saverio Ferraro.
Tracklist:
1. Overture XIS
2. Fear The Coming Wave
3. Under The Secret Sign
4. Rise Up Again
5. Tonight We Fight!
6. God Won’t Come
7. Forging The Future
8. Let The Fury Rise
9. Six Wounded Wolves
10. Bloodorn
11. Square Hammer (Ghost Cover)
The band is composed of members from notable acts such as Sirenia, Freedom Call, and Silent Winter. This lineup is sufficient to capture the attention of power metal enthusiasts. Furthermore, the name Bloodorn is a clever play on the Viking torture method “Blôdörn” (also known as “Blood Eagle”) and “Blood,” which adds depth to the lyrical content. The band portrays themselves as a reaper, a monster ready to kill and destroy everything in its path. Their themes address opposition to oppression, authority, and tyranny, while also exploring dark gothic fantasy, shadow cults, war, inner strength, honor, Norse mythology, and even video game references. Essentially, there is something for everyone. Superb.
As a committed member of the Gamma Ray fan club, it is evident that Bloodorn has thoroughly explored Kai Hansen’s extensive discography and decided to join the musical battle. Their contribution, particularly demonstrated in “God Won’t Come,” enhances rather than replicates the German band’s output.
The music features Viking chants, roars, growls, screams, and guitars and drums that have endured more intensity than most content creators on platforms like OnlyFans. This fusion bridges the stylistic gap between Amon Amarth and Gamma Ray, which I find to be an ideal combination.
This album is exceptionally fast, not in the realm of death or black metal blast beats, but rather like a gallop across a battlefield with a sword raised high. It’s the kind of speed that accelerates the heart rate, weighs heavily on the gas pedal, and can result in flashing lights on highways, often leading to letters awarding points and fines for speeding.
Although Bloodorn has not yet caused me to trigger a speed camera on local roads, it has come close. The second track on the album, “Fear The Coming Wave,” possesses such energetic momentum that it feels like a journey back to Hill Valley in 1955.
Score 9/10
Reviewed by Adrian Hextall
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