Enbound – Set It Free

Enbound
Set It Free
Label: Alive
Out: February 21^st, 2025
Playing time: 48:57

The Swedish Melodic Metal band Enbound is making itself rare. At least when it comes to releasing albums. Since drummer Mike Cameron Force founded the band in 2006, only two albums have been released – ‘And She Says Gold’ (2011) and ‘The Blackened Heart’ (2016). Nine years have passed since then. Now the third album ‘Set It Free’ has been completed and is due to be released in February. However, this is presumably due to various line-up changes. Some well-known musicians have been invited as guests for the third album. Kevin Moore (ex. Dream Theater), Linnéa Wikström (Therion, Kamelot, Thundermother) and Lee Hunter (ex. Enbound, Work of Art). Jacob Hansen (Amaranthe, Volbeat, Primal Fear) is responsible for the sound on the album. The artwork was created by Thomas Ewerhard (Avantasia, Therion).

‘Assaulted Taste’ offers a calm introduction with plucked guitars and vocalises. But you soon realise that this is a Power Metal album. Heavy riffs, booming bass, rhythmic drums and the outstanding vocals of new member Toby. And obviously Linnéa Wikström can be heard briefly as a vocal partner. So, she probably also sang the vocalises at the beginning and end. ‘Maximise’ is also a blast. Once again, the drums are the driving force. The refrain is easy to sing along on stage. A Melodic Power Metal Song. The title song ‘Set It Free’ starts with buzzing noises. Then the guitars kick in hard and powerful. Not quite as fast as before. Hard riffs and beautiful hook lines can be heard. ‘Invincible’ is a little more slowed down. Very rhythmic with string tapestries in the background. Once again, Enbound show their knack for beautiful melodies. A strong guitar solo is the crowning glory. New meets old on ‘Actors’ – Toby in a duet with his predecessor Lee Hunter. But first we have to endure a superfluous intro. But then heavily Metal riffs dominate. Once again, there is an amazing guitar solo. After that, we need some rest. And this is provided by the ballad ‘You Never Walk Alone’. Heartbreakingly beautiful. Toby is accompanied by strings and piano. Later, a beautiful guitar melody sets in. Goosebumps with great emotions. With a powerful ending, exactly in the style of a power ballad. ‘The Foresight Bleeding In Your Heart’ also starts off contemplatively. Plucked guitars and strings accompany the calm vocals. But it doesn’t stay that way. After all, we are listening to a Power Metal album. Nevertheless, this song is more in the mid-tempo range. ‘Extreme’ then goes into full swing again. The guitars gallop, the drums drive forward. And once again there is a great guitar solo. ‘Black’ starts very briefly with a slight industrial flavour. However, it is a melodic mid-tempo rocker. But in ‘Overload’ they are back again, hard, fast guitar riffs. The singer has to be powerful to counter this. The press release describes ‘Leave Them To The Night’ as a ‘12-keyboard track’. Original Dream Theater band member Kevin Moore makes a significant contribution to the sound of this beautiful ballad. A crowning finale to the album.

‘Set It Free’ is an album that is fun from the beginning to the end. Wonderful melodies, sometimes contemplative, sometimes powerful, can be heard throughout the entire playing time. And the guest musicians contribute to the success of the production. Power Metal is certainly not reinvented, but it is celebrated at a high level.

Enbound – Maximize: https://youtu.be/YaasrvX_Afs?si=fyyqBXggOE7Tq7Is

Lineup:

Toby (Arctic Rain) – Vocals, Backing Vocals
Swede – Bass
Andy – Guitars
Mike – Drums, Keyboard, Backing Vocals

Track list:

• Assaulted Taste
• Maximize
• Set It Free
• Invincible
• Actors (feat. Lee Hunter)
• You Never Walk Alone
• The Foresight Bleeding In Your Heart
• Extreme
• Black
• Overload
• Leave Them To The Night (feat. Kevin Moore)