Arch Enemy – Covered in Blood

6/10

A cover album can be a real bore. Especially if, as in this case, the songs are just a bunch of old recordings we’ve already heard from all over the career, now having been bundled together. But this album is actually really quite nice to listen to. It feels like a long jam session where melodic death veterans Arch Enemy are blasting away some of their favourite songs. Just seeing how the album kicks off with a Tears for Fears-cover (“Shout”) sets the note. We then get classic heavy metal tracks (Pretty Maids, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden), some really interesting non-metal stuff (Mike Oldfield, Tears for Fears), and a couple of hardcore punk-blast offs (Discharge and swedish language Skitslickers), all crammed up to Arch Enemys forceful sound.

As most cover albums, “Covered in Blood” doesn’t grow beyond being a little fun. But on the other hand, it’s really enjoyable to listen to. So if you’re interested, give it a go and have some fun! Especially enjoy the great versions of Pretty Maids – “Back to Back”, Kiss – “The Oath”, Dream Evil – “In the Book of Heavy Metal” and Judas Priest – “Starbreaker”. If you’re a fan of Arch Enemy, you shouldn’t miss this!

Band: Arch Enemy
Title: Covered in Blood
Label: Century Media
Date of release: 18/1-19
Time: 70,44
Rate: 6/10
Stand out tracks: Back to Back