Review: Bloedmaan – Vampyric War In Blood

Bloedmaan, the Belgian one-man project (masterminded by Ronarg, with help on drums and keyboards), isn’t here to play it safe on “Vampyric War in Blood”. This is melodic black metal with a vampiric twist, a sound that’s as cold and haunting as it is ferocious and hypnotic. The album’s production strikes a perfect balance between rawness and clarity, allowing the jagged riffs, scything leads, and Ronarg’s tormented vocals to cut through with a clarity that never sacrifices the atmosphere. Songs like the title cut and “What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse” (hello, Castlevania) blend furious aggression with spectral melody, evoking the kind of gothic grandeur that feels both timeless and fresh. The way Bloedmaan weaves together tremolo-picked passages, haunting keyboard flourishes, and a rhythm section that’s as destructive as it is dynamic is a testament to the project’s mastery of its craft.

When the album hits its stride, as it does in the devastating one-two punch of “Return to Castlevania” and “The Clock Tower,” it’s a reminder of why Bloedmaan stands out in the crowded field of melodic black metal. The closing “Rise of the Blood Moon” adds a layer of grandeur that feels both unexpected and entirely earned, pushing the album into territory that’s as exploratory as it is compelling.

Ultimately, “Vampyric War in Blood” is a record that thrives on its atmosphere and its ability to envelop the listener in a world that’s as seductive as it is sinister. It’s not a perfect album, but it’s a damn good one and shows, that Bloedmaan is still evolving, still refining its sound, while capable of delivering black metal that’s as emotionally resonant as it is technically impressive. If you’re a fan of vampires and meldoci black metal, this is an album that deserves your time and your blood.