Credit score to ex-Armageddon axe-man Joey Conception, who doesn’t simply plug the hole left by his predecessor, however manages to impose a bit of of his personal character. Including atmospheric punch to the wonderful title-track and effortlessly navigating a few of the file’s leftfield twists and turns, like a luxurious model of French-language anthem Vivre Libre, he’s already worthy of his place within the pantheon.
Invigorating as it’s to see the machine rumbling on, thoughts, the flipside is the overwhelming sense of getting heard this all earlier than. Nothing about Blood Dynasty is wherever near unhealthy, however neither is there one bar-raising stand-out that feels prefer it’ll be difficult My Apocalypse or Struggle Everlasting for a spot on the setlist in 5 years’ time. Living proof: full-throttle nearer Liars & Thieves, which packs severe punch however feels prefer it may’ve been Frankensteined collectively from spare elements belonging to Arch Enemy and a dozen of their Scandi contemporaries.
With their legacy long-since secured, nevertheless, it’s onerous to begrudge these previous – and new – masters for merely luxuriating within the superior sound their band helped pioneer.
Verdict: 3/5
For followers of: Carcass, In Flames, Kreator
Blood Dynasty is launched on March 28 by way of Century Media
