Album Review: Enbound – Set It Free #MetalChronicles

Artist: Enbound
Title: Set It Free
Label: Embrace the Fear
Release date: February 21st, 2025
Country: Sweden
Format reviewed: High-quality digital recording

Album Review: Enbound – Set It Free for #MetalChronicles via Embrace the Fear by Elyna

Welcome to a new edition of “The Metal Chronicles,” the sacred space for a deep dive into the works released over the past year. 

Today we’ll be reviewing a wonderful.melo-power-progressive album that will leave you hooked beyond repair: “Set It Free,” the third album by the powerful Swedish band Enbound. It was released on February 21, 2025, after almost a decade of silence. Before this, their last album was “The Blackened Heart” in 2016, and their first was “And She Says Gold” in 2011. For this new album, Enbound restructured their lineup. Swede (bass) and Mike Cameron Force (drums, keyboards, and backing vocals) were joined by Toby Jonsson (Arctic Rain) on lead vocals and Andy on guitar. They also added some luxury guests, such as Kevin Moore (Dream Theater), Linnéa Wikström (Therion, Kamelot) and Lee Hunter (who was also part of Enbound and Work of Art).

There’s magic in the orchestral sound, an almost ethereal beauty I haven’t heard on an album in a while. Pure magic. It’s like a silk tapestry in the background that feels soft yet powerful. It brings back memories of fresh, honest metal, made with soul. And even though it’s power progressive, it’s beautifully fluid. It could be the mixing, the mastering, etc. I don’t care. If the intention was to create sonic magic, they succeeded perfectly. And if not, they did it anyway!

In its eleven songs, “Set It Free” displays an emotionality that ranges from tenderness, innocence, nostalgia, strength, vigor, and the impetus of youth to the most intense pain and melancholy, wrapped in an atmosphere of luminous and hopeful freshness.

This range opens with “Assaulted Taste,” definitely one of my favorites from the album—and from my current playlist, by the way. Narratively, this track addresses themes such as internal struggle and resilience against adversity in a chaotic world. It also feels like a plea, a call for help to one’s own spirit to awaken and rise from its prostration, so that it may fight against everything that prevents it from living. Everything, including both external voices and internal ones.

Structured at a medium-to-fast tempo, the track kicks off with angelic orchestration and chorus by Linnéa Wikström. What follows is an adrenaline-pumping punch; an intense drum roll accompanies the first verse, highlighting the exquisite shifts in the rhythmic patterns. Here, the full power of progressive metal is unleashed, in an elegant and precise dose that gives strength to the beautiful melodic base. The latter has sounds strongly reminiscent of DGM, Derdian, and Kamelot. Even, to my ears, “Assaulted Taste” surprises with subtle, brief touches of soft Brit pop. Meanwhile, the timbre and color of Tom’s voice gave me powerful vibes of Mark Basile, Ivan Giannini, and Tomi Fooler in a display of visceral power, raw sweetness, and heart-melting honesty. Moreover, the chorus of this song is emotionally epic, thanks to the nostalgic and powerful melody crafted in an ascending minor key. 

For me, it’s among the genre’s best anthems. And I’m not going to argue with that! The powerful and beautiful harmonic solos, the devastating riffs, and Linnea’s choral bridge balance the whole, creating a liberating, pure, and sublime atmosphere, like seeing the light coming through the door after a long confinement. “Assaulted Taste” is one of the album’s best tracks, and one of my new favorites going on repeat.

What follows is “Maximize,” one of the album’s powerful singles, a brilliant radio hit and a welcome introduction to the band for those unfamiliar with them. Lyrically, this track is an elegy that portrays the difficult reality of burnout as a psychological and emotional phenomenon. It reflects an internal struggle marked by stress and emotional exhaustion, along with a longing for liberation. It speaks of being deeply broken, fragmented. Of watching life slip by and the pieces of one’s essence fall away, while time marches on mercilessly. However, it also offers a message of hope, of being able to rise from prostration and rebuild, igniting the light that dwells in the heart. “Maximize” is, in short, a call to continue fighting hard amidst chaos, and to seek life despite the pain.

Musically, “Maximize” is a comforting and invigorating journey akim the first cup of coffee in the morning. The melodic line flows easily and naturally over a powerful rhythmic base. It is built in a steady 4/4 time signature, with a medium, elegant, and catchy tempo. This dynamic subtly evokes the vibrant atmospheres of Vision Divine, with hints of Tungsten and Powerwolf: that is, modern melodic metal, bright, smooth, and simultaneously devastating. Added to this are ferocious drum rolls that, interspersed with progressive elements, heighten the impact of the listening experience and give it an extra touch of intensity without losing the melodic warmth. The bridges and choruses are another endearing aspect of the song. Their phrasing is faithful to the melody, albeit with brief and beautiful vocal arrangements, which convey strength, dedication, and a sense of belonging and unity. This, “Maximize” is a heartfelt, stunning track. Classically melodic power, if you will, but it grabs you from the first note. You fall in love with its purity, laden with warm and subtle progressions, and with its hopeful and comforting melody.

“Set It Free” continues the adventure. The story is a call to break chains and remember one’s own power, to connect with a freer version of oneself. It’s a catchy invitation to let go of prejudices, limiting beliefs, toxic patterns, and everything that prevents us from being truly authentic and happy.

Meanwhile, the overall sound of “Set It Free” evokes diverse landscapes for me: the cosmic magic of Ayreon at the beginning, the rock punch of Volbeat, the melodic and vocal beauty and power of Thaurorod on the album “Upon Haunted Battlefields,” the velvety orchestral symphony of Kamelot, and the powerful emotion of the strings, echoing Steve Vai and Syu (Galneryus). In other words, a sonic landscape rich in layers of complexity that make this seemingly “simple” track offer an endearing and unique listening experience.

Regarding music, “Set It Free” is structured in a tempo that varies from slow to medium andante, in a 4/4 time signature. The incendiary drum rolls and intense riffs between verses add a thrash/death metal touch to the rhythmic base, further enhancing the track’s sonic depth. The beautiful central bridge is strongly reminiscent of Epica and Kamelot. At a slow pace and accompanied by heartfelt riffs, this section gives way to the spectacular guitar solo, accelerating the rhythm in an explosion of timeless, eternal, and familiar power metal. Also noteworthy is Mark’s vocal performance, whose powerful voice perfectly embodies the essence of the genre; all about power, passion, and energy. That’s to say; in the Swedish style of playing power metal —PERFECTLY.

“Invisible” follows immediately, reinforcing the message of “Set It Free”.  It evokes the concept of Finnish sisu, or Chilean pachorra; that inner strength and determination to resist and overcome adversity. Thus, “Invincible” is a declaration of power, stamina, and resilience, no matter the difficulty of the circumstances.

Musically, this song features a hopping and catchy andante mid-tempo, and a 4/4 time signature. This pattern is enhanced by syncopated and off-beats throughout, which enrich the rhythmic and melodic texture. Its sound brought back echoes of the sweet atmospheres and riffs of Labyrinth, with hints of AOR and hard rock though.

On the other hand, Tony’s deployment of sober and powerful vocal lines, faithful to the melody, creates an endearing vibe, almost innocent yet intense at the same time. And once again, his voice takes me back to Derdian, DGM, and Vision Divine thanks to his powerful timbre, akim Giannini and Basile. In short, a true pleasure and a treat for my ears.

The solo, meanwhile, isn’t fantastical, mega-fast, luminous, but rather dark and dense. It’s masterfully complemented by incendiary and thunderous riffs, resulting in a pleasant and surprising balance.

These elements make “Invincible” much more than a catchy radio hit; they turn it into a nostalgic, fresh, and vibrant adventure, like the memory of a gentle breeze on a summer day that illuminates and renews, while you remember your inner strength and your desire to conquer the world. 

“Actors” features former Enbound’s vocalist Lee Hunter—whose voice captivated me with the track “Give Me Light,” by the way. The narrative of this track confronts us with the masks we wear in front of society, reflected in the duality of public and private life. In one way or another, we are all actors, presenting the public with a life that often doesn’t reflect our essence, what we are, or what we dream of. In the search for acceptance, we sacrifice our own identity and authenticity, to the point of not recognizing who we really are.

Musically, “Actors” follows a progressive, mid-andante rhythmic pattern with a 4/4 time signature. They elegantly fuse elements of AOR, doom metal, and the densest power metal, with subtle echoes of Survivor, Derdian, Secret Sphere, Stratovarius, and Opeth. The melodic base is bouncy and catchy, with sharp and powerful riffs. The vocal lines are fluid, delicate in the verses and powerful in the anthemic choruses, unleashing the full power of Hunter and Toby in a duet that feels like a singularity, a momentum in which past and present merge into a single point, delivering a magical and endearing experience. The keyboard arrangements follow a progressive vein, with fast, deep, and luminous chords, very much in the vein of Labyrinth and Vision Divine.  So without a doubt, “Actors” is another hit song and a surefire addition to future setlists.

“You Never Walk Alone” is one of the two beautiful ballads of the album. The humble, hopeful message tells us that no one is truly alone on life’s journey. It reminds us that there will always be people who will be with us through our difficulties, offering support, comfort, and genuine affection, even when we think we don’t deserve it. It’s a declaration of solidarity, affection, and hope in the midst of chaos. Because, even if we don’t see light or a clear way out in the midst of chaos and we feel abandoned, in reality, we never walk alone.

Musically, the melodic, rhythmic, and tonal development of this song generates a constant sense of movement and anticipation. The keyboards and pianos create atmospheres of great beauty and purity that reminded me of Opeth, Helloween, and Anathema. Furthermore, the fiery neoclassical guitar passages feel like a hug to the soul, while the powerful bass and intense drums unite all the elements in a harmonious and balanced way, making this song a profound, moving, and captivating experience.

“You Never Walk Alone” seems like a simple ballad, easy to learn and sing. There are even some who consider it boring or flat, without much to write home about. But you know what? It’s much more than a catchy song. It’s tonal and rhythmic movement. It’s an emotional journey filled with nostalgia that evokes all the beauty of winter. Although cold in appearance, it holds a warmth and mystical beauty that warms the soul. For me, this track made me feel like I was riding a train on a rainy winter day, with its cars moving slowly as they pull out of the station and then increasing in speed and intensity as the journey progressed. This is exactly the imagery conveyed by the melody and lyrics of this piece

Next comes “The Foresight Bleeding in Your Heart.” For me, one of the best, catchiest, most invigorating, and endearing tracks on the album. The message is clear and forceful: don’t get caught up in the ghosts of the past, and don’t let them keep you from your dreams. It’s a call to stop licking your wounds, stand up, take control of your destiny, and dare to look inward to ignite the light that dwells in your heart. Because life won’t wait forever; time is limited, and the moment is now. Although life is actually a collection of present moments, we’re so worried and scared that we forget that. “The Foresight Bleeding in Your Heart” is a gentle and powerful reminder of that, and also a loving and direct invitation that encourages you to truly live.

Musically speaking, “The Foresight Bleeding in Your Heart” is a song with an exquisite verse-chorus structure that explodes immediately after the velvety intro. Added to this is its sound, which felt very familiar and warm, evoking the powerful choral and orchestral beauty of Kamelot, Evergrey, DGM, Angra, Nocturnal Rites, and Seventh Wonder. It features a 4/4 time signature in a mid-andante tempo, with subtle rhythmic progressions that give depth and texture to the whole thing. The bone-crushing guitar riffs hit like a freight train.
Meanwhile, the spectacular, “classically power metal” solo reminded me of those performed by the giants Michael Romeo and Olaf Thorsen, provoking a brutal metamorphosis and making you transmute into a monkey from the pure adrenaline rush of hearing those strings ripping through everything! Moreover, the rhythmic acceleration and tonal shift in the bridge enhance the richness and nuances of the track. With its incendiary rhythmic-melodic foundation and a restrained yet intense vocal display, the chorus takes you on a nostalgic and refreshing journey through memories of youth and friendship. Thus, “The Foresight Bleeding in Your Heart” is a thunderous and endearing melodic power metal anthem, and one of the best cuts on the album.

The eighth track is the explosive “Extreme.” The lyrics portray the search for intense emotions through extreme experiences, and how they affect people’s lives in different ways.
Musically, “Extreme” is structured in 4/4 time on a progressive base, at a fast pace. And it’s packed with power and diversity. It kicks off with a very rock, almost stoner vibe. The first few seconds evoked echoes of Audioslave’s groove and the incendiary force of Soundgarden, then moved on to the profound, power-progressive intensity of Dream Theater, DGM, and Symphony X. Kamelot’s vibe is felt in the beautiful, ethereal keyboards and majestic riffs..Meanwhile, the opening verses use a filtering effect reminiscent of a megaphone or radio broadcast, creating a raw and aggressive atmosphere. The vocal performance has various nuances throughout the track. In the verses, it is sweet and relaxed, while in the choruses, it is visceral, powerful, and energetic, lending a richness to the soundscape. The utterly progressive drum rolls of the rhythmic base give the track its own personality and identity. The instrumental bridge features fabulous keyboard arrangements that evoke the poignant atmospheres of Labyrinth, Secret Sphere, and Seventh Wonder. All of this is crowned by the crescendoing speed of the chorus, which sends your adrenaline racing and makes you want to sing out loud…LOUD!

Next up is “Black.” The lyrics portray the inner struggle, and the connection and contemplation of one’s own darkness. It conveys the idea that amidst that darkness, in those most hidden corners of the human soul, there is also beauty and purpose.

“Black” is one of those songs that seems like a ballad but isn’t. Totally progressive and introspective, its melodic and rhythmic sound reminded me of Symphony X, Kamelot (with Roy Khan), Seventh Wonder, and Evergrey. The emotional and intense solos and riffs are coupled with a great vocal performance, with Tony pouring his heart into every line and tearing himself apart in the final phrases before the end of the cut, in a surrender completely connected to the message. This envelops you in a beautiful atmosphere of melancholy and introspection, which is reinforced by the keyboard arrangements in the background. These play multiple syncopated chords, adding layers of depth, innocent sweetness, and nostalgia. This texture, in turn, is enhanced by the chords and arpeggios of an acoustic guitar that appear in various sections throughout the track.
These elements make “Black” a song with a powerful nostalgic charge, but also full of joviality, romance, and beauty.

Continuing our adventure, “Overload” speaks directly to the worst evil affecting modern society: stress and mental and emotional overload. Its narrative reflects the difficulties we face daily due to the stress and tension of modern life, and how these rob us of our energy and disconnect us from the present, which is the only certainty we have. Because “yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” So, guys, remember that. We must live in the present now, today. 

Musically speaking, “Overload” is another of the album’s highlights. Structured with a fast, killer pace and a 4/4 time signature, the song features breaks in rhythmic meter throughout. Its sound captures the essence of classic power metal, progressive metal, heavy metal, and more modern metal. That’s bands like Sonata Arctica, Kamelot, Sabaton, Judas Priest, and Vision. Divine. In fact, “Overload” reminded me a lot of Vision Divine’s “The 26th Machine” and DGM’s “Hereafter.”It kicks off with dense, aggressive riffs and merciless drums. Brilliant keyboards balance the overall energy, while the rhythmic foundation accelerates strongly, reinforcing the power, rawness, and pristine beauty of this simply brutal track. The vocal display reinforces the track’s intensity, providing an atmosphere of pure energy and emotion, making “Overload” one of the album’s most striking moments.

Heading to the end of this intense adventure, we find the impressive ballad “Leave Them to the Night.” This song hit hard, for I found myself talking to my inner child; a lonely, daydreamer, misunderstood child, often marginalized for being “strange”; the one who looked up at the sky wondering what was wrong with her, why she had such a hard time fitting in. I also remembered very important people in my life, who deal daily with mental ghosts that often prevent them from enjoying the living experience. But, upon hearing the invitation to look inside ourselves and understand that life is still good, even when it sucks, I was overwhelmed with emotion. The song and its message convince you, striking cords. It’s a raw, real, soulful hit that wakes us up from overthinking and stressing, because all that noise just steals the magic of the now. Thus, “Leave Them to the Night” offers us a heartfelt invitation to seek peace in the night, to let it take care of those ghosts while it envelops us in its loving mantle, sheltering us like a mother who carries her children and protects them from the world.

Musically, the song initially evokes a magical Disney-like ballad, transitioning to echoes of Helloween, Dream Theater, Kamelot, and Stratovarius. Even Aerosmith and Rainbow make an appearance in the final pre-chorus sections, in an unexpected and endearing twist. Meanwhile, the epic guitar riffs and solos, along with Toby’s impressive and heartfelt vocal performance, leave you in an emotional ecstasy so intense it’s hard to describe. The guitars literally dance to the emotive piano that bleeds in the background, while the voice unleashes the entire narrative in a coherent and precise explosion, closing with stratospheric sustain and a simply wonderful vocal and melodic embrace. All of this is set against a tapestry of emotive and powerful rhythmic foundation, which both balances and enhances the overall impact of one of the most beautiful ballads I can remember. And I’ve heard a lot of metal ballads over the years, but this one is definitely one of my essentials from now on.

This track features Kevin Moore, former keyboardist for Dream Theater. In this regard, I’ve read several negative comments saying Moore “contributes nothing” or that his participation was “disappointing.”

Really? How many times have those people actually listened to this song? Did they notice the atmosphere so carefully constructed by Moore? Honestly, I don’t think so. One of the most endearing elements of this track—after hours of listening—is precisely that keyboard. The atmospheres woven by Moore are a multiverse, an alchemy of pristine innocence, almost maternal warmth, profound nostalgia, intense yet shy love, and at the same time, an intense force that resonates with the most heartfelt power metal, able to both destroy and rebuild you.
So to those who say Moore’s performance was disappointing, I say with all due respect: Moore’s keyboards aren’t there to shine separately, but to support a song that is a masterpiece in itself. His mission here is to execute every note and every chord to sustain you as you walk through your most intimate memories. So, friends, Moore nailed it!
And Enbound isn’t Dream Theater—get over it!

In a nutshell, Enbound’s “Set It Free” marks the return of a band that has pleasantly surprised me since I heard part of their second album. This third release not only honors their legacy but attracts new fans with that exquisite alchemy of the brutal, the emotional, the nostalgic, and the hopeful. With two beautiful ballads, star-studded guests, and an anthology of technical and vocal displays, “Set It Free” is one of the great albums released in 2025, and Enbound is definitely a band I’ll be keeping a close eye on from now on, because they’re truly impressive. 9.5/10

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