Style: power metal
Primary Emotions/Themes: philosophy, the human nature, good vs. evil
Thoughts: Well I did not see this coming... ever. This album has continuously been a surprise for me over the years. When I first heard it I was blown away at how much Angel Dust had changed... not only from their first two albums, but by the album immediately proceeding this one: Border of Reality. What a difference a year made! I was also shocked at how much Angel dust changed from their thrash roots. It's crazy how far removed this style is from their near speed metal first two albums.
That said Bleed is squarely in the German 90's and 2000's power metal camp. There are powerful riffs, blistering solos, soaring vocals, keyboards everywhere, it oozes of the stuff. The big difference between Angel Dust and most power metal is that I actually like Angel Dust.
The riffs that they are able to create are not only melodic but they are h e a v y. So much of power metal forgets to be heavy and instead focuses on a feel good time. It's pop done heavy metal style. While the music in Bleed is accessible it by no means is poppy. The music begs the listener to bang their head, pump their first, and embrace the genre of metal.
Another standout is Dirk's vocals. They are powerful man. Dude knows how to sing, what to sing, and when to sing it. Most of the album is him in a mid range register and it fits the music really well. He can go high like the best in the genre but he chooses select moments to do this - moments where they will stand out and have the largest impact. Listen to the end of the title track and Never for some strong examples of this.
The band knows how to write songs too. They are all over the place in pacing, texture and emotion. You got some great traditional power metal in songs like black rain. You have a great ballad in Follow Me (Pt 1), and an epic in Surrender? It's a complete album through and through.
I was shocked a third time by this album. I never ever expected anyone to reissue it on vinyl. I still have my old CD from when it first came out and I thought that was going to be it, but I was wrong. Angel Dust have once again shocked me by re-releasing one of my favorite power metal albums. What a great time to be a metal fan.
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