UMUR "The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn" is the 5th full-length studio album by Swedish death metal act Bloodbath. The album was released through Peaceville Records in October 2018. It´s the successor to "Grand Morbid Funeral" from 2014 and it´s the second Bloodbath album to feature Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost) on lead vocals. There´s been one lineup change since the predecessor as guitarist Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson has been replaced by Joakim Karlsson.

"The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn" continues the old school Swedish death metal style of the predecessors, but there is an added coldness to the band´s sound, that I don´t recall hearing before. I wouldn´t call it black metal by any means (this is through and through a death metal release), but the colder and more harsh sound of the music on "The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn" do occasionally point in that direction, which is already heard on the opening "Fleischmann". It´s nice to hear that an established act like Bloodbath haven´t forgotten that the most interesting artists make sure to evolve and develop their core sound throughout their career. The slight death´n´roll influenced main riff on "Wayward Samaritan" is another standout moment on the album, which is a bit different from what we are used to hearing from Bloodbath.

Not to worry though, if the above new elements don´t sound like your poison, because that´s just what they are...elements of the core old school death metal style, which Bloodbath as always deliver with fierce conviction and passion. Add to that clever songwriting and high level musicianship and "The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn" is yet another high quality death metal release by Bloodbath. The album also features a raw and detailed sound production, which suits the material perfectly, so upon conclusion a 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.