ROSS THE BOSS – By Blood Sworn

  • 6.5/10
    ROSS THE BOSS - By Blood Sworn - 6.5/10
6.5/10

Summary

AFM Records
Release date: April 16, 2018

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User Review
8/10 (1 vote)

In a deliberate move to play to his long-time fans, with By Blood Sworn, Ross The Boss has produced a fun, throw-back album which draws heavily from his classical Manowar years. The vocal style (thanks to new RTB vocalist Marc Lopes), the guitar tones, drum sounds, and overall writing and arranging of the songs is blatantly reminiscent of the early Manowar albums, specifically Into Glory Ride and Hail To England. While this makes for a fun, fast album, the writing at times seems forced, and not all of the songs come across as welcome as their source material did. The title track, “By Blood Sworn” and the early album ripper “This Is Vengeance” are truly True Metal songs worthy of praise and might shouts of “Hail!”, but many of the other tracks fall short of their intended power.

Certainly, fans of the early Manowar sound will enjoy this album, even if not all the songs are up for repeat listening. The production quality, like the writing, is deliberate and has a certain vintage quality to it. This may be a put-off to fans of more modern acts, even modern Power Metal acts. Despite By Blood Sworn‘s rough edges and inconsistencies, Ross The Boss as an artist is still a veteran, much-loved figure among metalheads and this album will only serve to further cement his legacy.

TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!

Author

  • Maxxxwell Carlisle

    Maxxxwell was a reviewer and the host of The Maxed Out Metal Hour here on Metal Express Radio. He is the current lead guitarist for LA based metal veterans Hellion. In addition to his ongoing role in Hellion, he has also released 5 albums as a solo artist and appeared as a guest writer and soloist on Michael Angelo Batio's Intermezzo album, named one of the Top 5 shred albums of 2014 by Guitar World Magazine. He continues to collaborate with various Metal musicians and teaches guitar technique and Metal composition via Skype. Additionally, he is a former competitive bodybuilder and enjoys a lifestyle based around health, fitness and Metal.

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