Epically Bombastic

Since 2004, this group has been pushing the boundaries of “Power Metal” with each and every release.  Now, a six piece—this Swedish no-nonsense rock group continues to push both the musical and lyrical borders of their creative Masterpieces!  In the dying weeks of 2014, “Bloodbound” released an amazing set of music and songs…below is just a little of their story:

Bruce: I was introduced to “Bloodbound” back in 2006, with their debut album… The group had a massive impact then and with the release of “Stormborn”, I would say that you and your mates will repeat that feat!

Patrik: When we started to record the album we felt we had something really good going on. And now with all the amazing response so far, it seems that people agree with us and that is just a great feeling.

Bruce: Patrik, How long have you been with the group-five years?

Patrik: I joined the band in April 2010, so a little bit over four years now.

Bruce: Are you able to partake in the song writing as well as laying down your fine vocals?

Patrik: I haven’t been very involved in the song writing so far, but that’s not because I can’t be. Tomas and Fredrik who are the main song writers want me and the others to participate more and are encouraging us to come up with songs and ideas.  For me, I just think that those two are doing such a good job and don’t feel that I, for my own ego or anything, need to contribute with material just for the sake of it. I write songs all the time and co-wrote a couple of songs on “Unholy Cross” and “In The Name Of Metal”, but this time I didn’t have any material that suited the album. Maybe I’ll have more for the next one.

Bruce: Now, with the way that “Bloodbound” delivers their musical creations with the operatic elements and such, do you find that reproducing all of this live is somewhat difficult?  It certainly must have a strain on your voice, what do you do to keep your voice in top form?

Patrik: With Stormborn we have a lot more keyboards and choirs and stuff so for some things we’re gonna need to use a sampler or backing tracks to reproduce the sound live. We haven’t rehearsed the new material yet, but if we manage to do the songs justice live, which I really think we can, it’s gonna be very powerful.  About to keep the voice in form. I don’t do too much in that matter to be honest. But for me the best way is to sing a lot to keep the motor running so to speak. As long as you don’t feel sore in the throat of course.

Bruce: May we talk more about the new album? Is “Stormborn” another conceptual piece?

Patrik: I would not exactly call it a conceptual album. Most of the songs have their own story. But Tomas who wrote most of the lyrics were very inspired by the tv show “Game of Thrones” this time. So songs like  “Stormborn” and “Iron Throne” are based on that. Which I think fits the music perfectly.

Bruce: If we think back to when you first joined up with your fellow bandmates…

And going through the years and albums, “Unholy Cross”, and “In The Name Of Metal”, did you feel that a change of direction was happening?

Patrik: When I joined the band they made it very clear that they wanted to return to what “Bloodbound” was from the beginning.  They had released “Tabula Rasa” and felt that that direction wasn’t the right way for the band to go, musically.  Which suited me perfectly because I loved the first album “Nosferatu” and are more into that kind of music. Then “In The Name Of Metal” was more of a “back to the roots”-album, a celebration to Metal if you like, and contained these Metal anthems that are made for live shows. And I think we kept the foundation of the “Bloodbound” sound.

Bloodbound Stormborn - AFM Records

Back in ’06, I had the distinct pleasure in reviewing “Bloodhound’s debut!  It was exhilarating to say the least.  Eight years later, these Swedish musicians of the highest order are giving us “Stormborn”, an exquisite Work, and carrying on their unique sound and style.  As this group progressed through the years, they broke every standard there was.  2014’s offering continues in presenting epic fantasies from the ‘dark side’ of myth and life.  Again the group excels, and they painstakingly break every standard set in Neo-Classical Metal!

Patrik Johansson seems to have fitted in nicely with “Bloodbound”, and this being his third album with them, seems to be flexing his musical muscles a little more aggressively!

Of course, this is music that is not for the faint of heart…both in lyrical content, and the compositions themselves.  “Bloodbound” have created a complicated and telling story—with the waves of music creating the cinematic atmosphere of an epic tale that will not fade very quickly.  In fact, I’m thinking the group have outdone themselves on this release! 

Prepare yourselves for a musical journey that is full of drama, aggressive, melodic yet molten and very thought provoking.  The musicianship heard here is beyond “10”, the writing and lyrical content is full of emotion and mystery…and the whole of this Recorded Work can be described as Epically Bombastic!  It exudes confidence from each and every member to the extent that we are in for some surprises regarding some of the musical elements employed herein.

“Bloodbound”—‘Stormborn’ is setting a high water mark, one that will resonant for a long time to come!

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Upcoming Club/Concert Highlights:

The Blue Gator:   Zamboni Brothers:  Jan. 15^th  Jimmy LeGuilloux:  Jan. 16^th & 17^th                                   Hank Stallion:  Jan. 22^nd

Fernando’s Pub:  Floyd Meets Brown:  Jan. 17^th   Honest Woods & The Bonsais:   Jan. 22^nd

Flashback’s Nite Club:  Elliott Brood:  Feb. 12^th

Minstrel Café:  Joshua Smith:  Jan. 16^th Kenny Wayne & Sherman Doucette:  Jan. 17^th                             Bruce Spencer:  Jan. 21^st

O’Flannigan’s Pub:     Rockaholicks:  Jan. 16^th & 17^th   

Notable Concerts:   

Prospera  Place:    The Tragically Hip:  Feb. 7^th 2015     Lynyrd Skynyrd:  March 19^th  Diana Krall:    May 12^th

Kelowna Community Theatre:    Jonny Lang:   March 13^th   Burton Cummings:  March 11^th   Colin James:  March 28^th  Whitehorse:  April 10^th

Penticton Trade & Convention Centre:  Burton Cummings:  March 12^th 

Performing Arts Centre (Vernon):  Burton Cummings:  March 15^th 

South Okanagan Events Centre:   Celtic Thunder:  March 13^th-2015   Marilyn Manson:  March 28^th    Def Leppard:  April 15^th

 

   …if you have a musical story or news and would like me to write something… drop me a line at:  [email protected]  and let’s celebrate Kelowna’s rich and varied music community together!!.....

 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.