EP REVIEW: Bloodheads United – Bloodbound

BLOODBOUND have been back in the recording studio and have produced a little gift for their ever-growing fan base, Bloodheads United. But is this just a little bonus to tide fans over until their next full-length, something just for the die hard collectors, or a release worthy of note in its own right?

The five track EP contains a brand-new song, the title track, as well as four live versions of some of their biggest hits. The new track begins with the echoes of the crowd, the band’s ‘bloodheads’, and it isn’t long before the keys come into play alongside vocalist Patrik J Selleby. The riffs enter the fray as the song continues on its epic build up. The tempo isn’t quite as fast as expected, with the track being more of a power metal ballad, but it doesn’t take anything away from how powerful the song is and is a fantastic tribute to the band’s legions of fans.

The four live tracks that accompany the title track are Bloodtale from the record Stormborn, Battle in the Sky from War of Dragons, In the Name of Metal from the album of the same name and finally Moria from Unholy Cross. Bloodtale serves as a fantastic opening number for the live shows, which can be clearly heard in the first few seconds as it flows into Battle in the Sky. It is never easy to have the sound exactly how you want it in a live show, whether it is down to the acoustics of the venue, the crowd size, or even external factors such as the weather etc. However, the recording for this track is perfection, it captures every element in the way it is meant to be heard, and really puts you in the heart of the crowd.

In all honesty there isn’t really too much to say for the live tracks – for the fans of the band they will already know how each song sounds from the studio versions, as well as those who have come across BLOODBOUND on streaming apps or from browsing online. The only thing that really needs to be said is that the quality is certainly on par with the pre-recorded versions, and the crowd interactions add to the atmosphere and really showcase what it is like to witness the band in all their glory.

Overall then BLOODBOUND have delivered a fantastic LP. The opening new track continues where the band have left off and carries that distinct sound they have been renowned for over the years, and the live editions of the tracks are an extra bonus for anyone who is fortunate enough to pick up a physical copy.

Rating: 9/10

Bloodheads United is out now via AFM Records. 

Like BLOODBOUND on Facebook.