BATTLE BORN are set to make their presence felt in 2023 with power metal hymnals of war, dragons and inner courage that take place in the land of Skyrim’s Windhelm, Eastmarch. Following their signing with Los Angeles label Prosthetic Records and UK touring throughout 2022, the Southampton, UK power metal band will release their debut album, Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel, on May 12.
Since their 2019 inception and 2020 self-titled debut EP, BATTLE BORN has garnered a dedicated following in the burgeoning UK power metal scene and beyond for their approach to both storytelling and songcraft, as well as their undying reverence for traditional heavy metal. Previously released singles in the form of Bring the Metal Back and album track Fire Storm showcased BATTLE BORN as a step ahead of genre traditionalists, with wide eyed theatricality and grandiose flair being put at the forefront of their sound.
The group efforts of Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel’s meticulous creative process was vital to bringing their world of swords and sorcery to life, with production and engineering credits including Kurt Fagan at The Ranch Production House and mixing and mastering by Orden Ogan’s Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann at Greenman Studios.
BATTLE BORN’s affinity for European power metal is evident across the 11 tracks on offer, just take one listen to their foray into balladry on The Endless Grey or late album mini-epic Ride North for Winterhold’s majesty, with an emphasis on lavish orchestration throughout. Where others might slip into imitation or retro nostalgia, BATTLE BORN deftly pay their respects to a long running genre whilst injecting a youthful verve in the process.
Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel is visually captured in eye watering fashion by graphic designer Stan-W Decker (Blue Öyster Cult, Powerwolf, Dragonforce), perfectly echoing the wars waged in the band’s bold and daring world. BATTLE BORN’s Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel is not only an invitation to join forces with the quartet on their perilous mission, it also finally answers the question, “What would Skyrim’s greatest band sound like?”.
BATTLE BORN is:
Jack Reynolds – vocals
Will Kerr – guitars, keyboards
Tom O’Dell – guitars, vocals
Charles Lamacraft-Perrett – drums, vocals