Bloodking “Maldon” for #METALMOMENTUM
Band: Bloodking
Title: Maldon (single)
Label: independent
Release date: August 01, 2024
Country: Sweden
Format reviewed: High-Quality Digital Recording
Maldon is the debut single by the band Bloodking, the brainchild of the Swedish musician Knut Hassel (Woodland, ex-Karmanjaka, ex-Destiny, ex-Gudars Skymning). And, let me tell you: first word that comes to my mind when I listen to this track is “epic”. The initial riff has a special feel, just listen to the guitar harmonies and the gallop and you’ll feel like going into battle…
And that’s true indeed, ‘cause lyrics talk about an epic battle between Saxons and Vikings in Essex in 991, ending in the Saxons being defeated by the Vikings due to a fatal error of the first… I personally like a lot the historical lyrics, specially in this style of Metal…
These are the musicians involved in Maldon:
Guitars and bass – Knut Hassel (also, lyrics and music are his)
Vocals – Peter Larsson
Drums – Dennis Sjödin
Hurdy gurdy – Mikael Lindström
The use of the hurdy gurdy, a medieval stringed instrument, confers a special sonority to the music, a vibrant touch that brings some brightness to this story of raw battle and defeat. And drums are constantly pounding in a mid-tempo pace, with plenty of variations and adding details, played in a classic way, contained, perfect.
I like Peter’s vocals, his voice is loud and clear and also has that slight raspiness that marks a standout. The echoed effect contributes to make the song bigger. He really shines with his performance, specially at the end of the track. The bass is another solid point, it resonates deep and low, providing the music a thick background, like a dense shadow enveloping the music and making it lie completely in it.
Guitars are totally outstanding and sometimes it’s all because the riffs, this is mainly where the epicness comes from. Maldon is a song based on a main riff, highly melodic, that slowly makes its way to your brain and will live there forever. Proof that Knut is a very skilled musician, and with a big sensitivity, but this is a thing that was already known by his works in his previous bands.
I’m really hyped about what will come next by the hand of Bloodking. But, for now, let’s fully enjoy their single by playing it on repeat. It’s excellent. For me, 9/10 Sílvia
9/10 Epic Storm
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Image by vecstock on Freepik
