Swedish power metal stalwarts Bloodbound have dropped a lyric video for ‘The Nine Crusades’, the closing track from their eleventh album Field Of Swords, and there are HEAPS of vocal power on display here. The track features Brittney Slayes of Canadian powerhouse Unleash The Archers dueting with frontman Patrik J. Selleby in a sweeping, mid tempo anthem that brings the album to a glorious finish.
Interestingly, this song has a backstory that goes back years. Keyboardist Fredrik Bergh revealed the track was originally co-written with guitarist Tomas Olsson back in 2018, intended for Sabaton. Though Joakim Brodén liked the demo, the collaboration never came together. Thankfully, Bloodbound kept it for themselves, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine it anywhere else.
Slayes herself called the collaboration an honour, having been a fan of the band for over a decade. “This song is quite different from what we do in Unleash The Archers, and is not at all like my own writing style, so I was excited to sing something new,” she said, adding that the whole experience had been a blast.
Field Of Swords is a concept album picking up where 2023’s Tales From The North left off, moving from the Viking era into the Medieval period after 1066. Across eleven tracks, the band weave tales of crusaders, conflict and courage through their signature blend of melodic and heavy power metal. From the storming title track through to the catchy flutes of ‘The Code Of Warriors’ and the bleak reality of ‘Teutonic Knights’, it’s a diverse record that Bergh promises has “everything you can ask for.” This is their first release with Napalm Records, and it’s a strong start.
Bloodbound hit the road from March 12, touring as support for Angus McSix alongside Brainstorm across Germany and the Netherlands, wrapping up in Eindhoven on March 22. Festival appearances follow, including Full Metal Mayrhofen, Ostrava V Plamenech, Alcatraz Festival, and Evoken Fest in Tokyo.
Field Of Swords is out now via Napalm Records in formats including a strictly limited deluxe box, coloured vinyl, digipak and digital.
