BATTLE BORN
“Blood, Fire, Magic And Steel”
Album Review by Iron Mathew

10/10

Battle Born are a power metal band from the UK formed in 2018, releasing their debut E.P. ‘Battle Born’ in 2020, and debut full length album ‘Blood, Fire, Magic And Steel’ in 2023…

…which was preceded by a barnstormer of a single ‘Fire Storm’. Showcasing the bands elegant and grandiose approach to power metal, the single was an appetite whetter of the most mammoth kind for the album – the anticipation levels of metalheads all over the world soaring to incredible highs! So what of this highly anticipated album I hear you ask – well let me tell you. Eleven songs and forty four minutes of glorious and majestic metal to garner smiles from every listener everywhere. Featuring themes of swords and sorcery, quests and battles, and magic and fantasy, Battle Born are in sparkling form, launching the album in spectacularly epic and atmospheric mood with ‘Wind Caller’, changing pace to become a high velocity gallop of power come “foot on the monitor” traditional heavy metal. A simply irresistible start, listeners, fans and followers will be open mouthed at the sheer power on offer, Battle Born roaring on with the bombastic mid tempo barrage of ‘Dragon Heart’. Hitting harder than Thor’s hammer, ‘Dragon Heart’ is a mighty foot stomping anthem that’ll have everyone everywhere punching the air in sheer delight.

What I presume to be the albums title song ‘Blood And Fire’, resumes the blistering pace of the opening salvo, keeping feet firmly planted on the monitors. The band are in magnificent form, storming on with elegance and poise, purpose and urgency, and an infectious level higher than the sky! Not to mention the intensity – absolutely spot on! Battle Born romp on with the extremely melodic ‘Power Force’, and a relentless hammering that’ll have lesser mortals reaching for the painkillers! But for us true metallers, hammer us some more Battle Born – and hammer us they do! With the blazing speed of ‘When Empires Die’, and a head bang ability that’s second to none! In fact, the whole album so far has been a head bang-able affair, necks stretching to breaking point every time the band step on the gas and roar loudly! Simply glorious!

Power come traditional heavy metal has never sounded so good, Battle Born proudly waving the British flag, along with fellow countrymen DragonForce, keeping British power metal firmly on the world map. And with a mellower feel, ‘The Endless Grey’ floats in on the crest of serenity, offering listeners the opportunity to raise lighters high in the air. And why not? Power metal albums – especially those in the modern era – are renowned for including ballads or hymn-like softer moments. And ‘Blood, Fire, Magic And Steel’ is no exception, ‘The Endless Grey’ a timely breather from the full on and rampant first half of the album! Last years single ‘Fire Storm’ is an elegant and up tempo thunderstorm of infectious heavy come power metal with a hundred percent head bang ability – the band emphatically turning up the heat to resume the scorching pace of earlier. Entering the realm of rabble rousing call to arms anthemic metal, Battle Born deliver ‘Down Your Drinks And Raise Your Swords’ with authority and pomp – a sense of coming together and celebrating rising high into the air! Legendary UK metallers Saxon are one of the finest rabble rousing call to arms anthemic metal bands ever, with Battle Born doing their very best to emanate the British legends.

Mellow beginnings turn into a fast paced and fiery furore, ‘Meridia’ taking flight and galloping forth with all the majesty of great power metal. The band have grown in maturity over the years to become a fully fledged force in the worldwide power come heavy metal scene. Battle Born are just one of the younger breeds challenging the old guard for world dominance – and I for one wouldn’t bet against them! Especially with gems like ‘Ride North For Winterhold’ lighting up an already dazzling album! The bustling fire, thunder and brimstone crackles ferociously as the band roars on, leaving only scorch marks in their wake! ‘Blood, Fire, Magic And Steel’ has been a highly anticipated album since the release of (the single) ‘Fire Storm’ last year, and it hasn’t disappointed! Every song on offer has been infectious and memorable, providing ample head banging opportunities for every listener, fan and follower. And bringing the album to a close is the highly melodious ‘Sky Guard You’, showing Battle Born in all their majesty and elegance. The entire album has seen the band stride tall and proud with head held high, ‘Blood, Fire, Magic And Steel’ a fabulous forty four minutes of metal.

Overall, a blistering album of power come traditional heavy metal with a hundred percent head bang ability and an insane infectious level.

TRACKLIST

Wind Caller
Dragon Heart
Blood And Fire
Power Force
When Empires Die
The Endless Grey
Fire Storm
Down Your Drinks And Raise Your Swords
Meridia
Ride North For Winterhold
Sky Guard You

https://battlebornuk.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/battlebornuk/

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