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I realize that I'm in the minority (at least here at The Metal Crypt) as someone who doesn't see what the big deal is about Bloodbound's Urban Breed-fronted Tabula Rasa. Sure, it's a good album (I gave it 4/5) but its luster has faded since its release and I can't say it is anything I go back to. I skipped Unholy Cross, so In the Name of Metal, Bloodbound's fifth album, is the first I've heard with new vocalist Patrik Johansson. I'm not going to argue over which album is better but personally I find In the Name of Metal to be a fantastic release. Johansson has a gritty, powerful voice and Bloodbound have stripped down their sound and simplified their songwriting making In the Name of Metal a more straightforward and accessible album. The Black Majesty Power Metal leanings can still be heard on tracks like "Bonebreaker" and "King of Fallen Grace," with their huge, catchy choruses. The rest of the album settles into thick, crunchy Metal quite similar to Tornillo-lead Accept. The riffs on the title track, "Metalheads Unite" and "Monstermind" are slow and heavy, rolling over you like steamroller. The guitar tone on "Bounded by Blood" is so classic Hoffman/Frank it could have come from Balls to the Wall or Metal Heart. And that's going to be the major knock on In the Name of Metal; it's completely unoriginal. However, when the songs are this good, I find that easy to overlook.

In the Name of Metal is excellent, start to finish. Anyone who enjoys the high quality Heavy Metal of Black Majesty and Accept are sure to come to the same conclusion.