It has to be said that a good introduction can work wonders for an album, so hearing the introductory track of the new Frosttide album Blood Oath setting the scene so well, it gave an optimistic feeling for what could be expected with the rest of the songs on the album.
Quite simply, Prologue really brings the atmosphere to Blood Oath, ever so slowly building things up and up in the most breathtaking way before things get fully underway with the title track, which is a mini epic in itself. The instrumentation is just fantastic, before you even take into account the power behind the vocals, so hearing them both seamlessly blending together and moving as one is incredible to witness.
Indeed, the album continues very strongly from there, with big group vocals in Gates Of The Asylum and the eleven-minute New Reign, a track that feels almost like an adventure from all the little twists and turns the song takes as it progresses – and what makes it even better is that it’s one of those songs with so many intricate little moments that you can pick up on something new every time you hear it.
As Blood Oath comes to a very satisfying close with final track Winds Of Winter’s Call, you can’t help but feel pleased with just how good the album is from start to finish. There isn’t a single song that stands out as being bad, and Blood Oath is an all-round enjoyable listen – 2015 will surely see big things from this very talented band.
9/10
