As I put on my old man back-in-the-day hat, I can’t help recall my formative years listening to metal, when it felt like every band was trying to one up each other with precision and skill but also with memorable and devastating records. We’re not devoid of that necessarily, but it feels like those bands are a little fewer and further between now.

Finnish force Bloodcross is looking to change that on their stunning debut full-length “Gravebound,” an album that’s certainly steeped in the harshest realms of melodic death metal but also puts forth virtuosity and musicianship that is a step above most. The band—vocalist/guitarist A. Pahlama, guitarist M. Saarela, bassist T. Lindqvist, drummer J. Saarela—brings experience from black metal crushers Angelcorpse, in which half its members played, and on these seven songs and 39 minutes, they combine stunning chops with fluid carnage that easily can pull you under for good.

“Warbeast” rips open with energetic leads and soaring energy, melodic howls helping sell the cresting chaos. A huge burst leads to guitars racing and a fluid attack, ending with a power-infused gust. “Nemesis Reborn” has surging guitars and a burst of adrenaline, the twin leads making the hairs stand on your neck. Shrieks maul as the playing blows open, Maiden-style guitars giving off classic metal glory, the storming force coming to a tangling end. “Beyond Flesh” starts with cleaner guitars before shrieks rampage and tear off your head, the playing swirling and making your head spin. Punches land hard as everything turns decidedly moodier before things fire up again, letting everything bubble over as the playing disappears as a triumphant blaze in the sky.

“Pale Avenger” strikes with speed and muscular guitars, the shrieks crushing amid catchy and fiery melodies, the energy feeling like it’s reaching a crescendo. But there are bigger heights as everything bursts anew, storming through ugliness and challenging brains. The title track starts thrashy as hell and then sinks into colder waters, the leads glimmering, and a huge chorus rewarding your faith. The playing is effusive as the enthusiasm lathers, charging and blistering, coming to a blasting finish. “Devil Speed” launches with force, fast and fiery playing instantly taking you under, bristling with power. High-pitched howls meet with streaking leads, displaying astonishing skill, massive histrionics burying you in rubble. Closer “Howling Spirits” starts in murk, feeling like latter-era Maiden, setting up an atmosphere before breaking the chains. Furious melodies and smoking guitars ignite, the leads glimmering as a blinding pace goes off, torching with savage howls. The riffs remain steady as the playing pulls you under, fading into darkness.

Bloodcross’ penchant for mixing blistering, yet melodic death with shred-worthy musicianship keeps “Gravebound” exciting through its entire run, because you never can predict what’s coming. But it’s not tech wankery by any means, as you can feel the drive and emotion packed into each one of the songs. This is a strong debut from a promising band that feels like it’s just scratching the surface of what they can do.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/bloodcrossmetal

To buy the album, go here: https://www.personal-records.com/product/pre-order-bloodcross-gravebound-cd/

For more on the label, go here: https://www.personal-records.com/