The Old Blood Review
BUY THE Old Blood
Editor’s Note: A review copy of the album was provided to GameGrooves.
If I had to describe The Old Blood by Mahn in a single world it would be brooding. The album practically drips with atmosphere from choir vocals to violin solos, with every track underpinned by an excellent production.
For fans of Bloodborne, this album should come as no surprise, and the translation from orchestral arrangements to metal seems effortless (even though I’m sure it was anything but). Album opener “Omen” sets the stage with lumbering guitars, ambient soundscapes, and spine-tingling vocals courtesy of TeraCMusic. Mahn finds his sweet spot right away with the next track “Overture: Yharnam,” creating mid-tempo tracks reminiscent of SepticFlesh or Opeth. Of course, the album holds a few surprises like “Lullaby for Mergo,” which abandons the metal aesthetic for most of the track. That being said, this is most definitely an album for metal fans, and whether you enjoy it or not will greatly depend on your listening tastes.
At 59 minutes long, the album does drag in a few spots, and since I’m not that familiar with the source material, I’m not sure where to lay blame for that. Most of the tracks hit the 4 or 5-minute mark, feature a similar set of instrumentation, and move along at a similar pace, so I started to develop listener fatigue by the end of the album. With a few more collaborations or a more varied approach to arrangements, this album might have overcome some of these minor flaws, but all in all, The Old Blood is a strong album with solid performances, creative arrangements, and a first-rate production.
Ultimately, this album succeeds in creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere, much like the game it honors. I can’t think of a better album to celebrate the Halloween season, and despite what you may have heard, you don’t need to fear The Old Blood.
Rating: Recommended
(Fans of Bloodborne and/or Metal Should Enjoy)