Bloodbath are back with their brand new album Grand Morbid Funeral, which is also their first release with their new vocalist Nick Holmes, who replaced previous vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt. It’s a good release that plays to the band’s strengths and it’s not an album that can be listened to once and then forgotten about.
Sure, it does sound a little different as Holmes has a different approach to vocals than Åkerfeldt, but his deep, powerful vocals really lend themselves well to the music and everything sounds so together that it’s almost as if he’s always been a part of the band. His voice is engaging and substantial, and really helps to give the tracks an extra boost.
With highlights including Unite In Pain, which is an energy and momentum-filled track that you’ll be banging your head along to before you know it thanks to the searing guitars and hammering drums, and Beyond Cremation, which takes a doomier route at times, the album utilises a good variety of genres whilst still remaining true to the band’s overall style.
Admittedly at times, it does feel like the songs are merging together and sometimes you almost don’t know where one song ends and the next one begins, but as a whole Grand Morbid Funeral is another strong offering from the band and is the beginning of a brand new era for Bloodbath.
7/10
Just wondering what author of review would rate fathomless mastery? Imo its not just my favorite bloodbath album, but maybe one of my favorite albums in the early 2000’s (2000 – 2010) decade. I would rate fathomless a 10/10 easy. But I’ve heard some online giving fathomless reviews that are lews than stellar. Say 6-7/10. Because of poor mixing quality on the final product, akerfeldt sounding like shit, etc. I don’t agree but that’s just me. Why grand morbid funeral 7/10? What didn’t u like about it?