Review: “From The Bloodlines Of Bram” by Dragsholm

Hailing from New Jersey, Dragsholm have been conjuring Blackened Death Metal from the crypt for almost a decade. Inspired by classic horror cinema and Gothic literature they have mused on themes of Luciferianism, Paganism and Vampirism over an unholy trinity of EPs and a pair of split records while building their fan base in the live arena. It’s not all be plain sailing for the band who feature in their ranks both current and former members of Sacred Lore, Void ov Nihility, Dungeon of Affliction, Lunacy, Venom Temple, Viscera and Zion however as there have been a few casualties along the way. A debut album nine years into a career isn’t as rare as it used to be and the fact that “From The Bloodlines Of Bram” explores the story of Dracula, war and the occult should come as no surprise given their rich history.

As we all know, it’s pretty common place for a few previously released songs to appear on a debut album and “From The Bloodlines Of Bram” is no different with three cuts refined over time appearing on this one. The first of those is a rendition of “Irina’s Heart” which is some thirty seconds shorter than the one which originally appeared on 2024’s EP “Sorrow Hexen“. Blackened melancholic riffs with an air of Melodic Death Metal about them burn the bridges to light the way, a blood curdling roar and an ocean of pummelling percussion setting the tone. The beauty of the bands sound is that it has a timeless quality to it and had this been released in 2003 you’d be none the wiser, the nostalgic guitar tones giving the record the instant appeal of an ice cold beer on a scalding hot day.

After such a powerful opening the four piece stoke the fires of hell with “The Wandering Relic“, a tune upon which the fret-board skulduggery is once again a dark delight. The vocals are cavernous and demonic while having a storytelling quality that almost flies in the face of that, the restless and relentless Black Metal drumming an absolute masterclass in accompaniment.

The story of Vlad the Impaler is one most will be familiar with and Dragsholm take that on with “I Am The Impaler“, a cut with Blackened Thrash riffs and a glorious rise and fall to it. It also holds the first solo of the record which is an absolute ripper in adrenalized old school Thrash in the vein of what you might expect from bands like Electrocutioner. Scandinavian roots are once again on display with the melancholic melodies of the barnstorming “A Coffin Unscathed” which has a bit of a Dissection flair to it and may leave you wondering exactly what you just heard.

The return to a golden oldie some seven years and seven deadly sins after it first reared its ugly head means we get the pleasure of “A Kingdom In The Land Of Shadows” which originally appeared on 2019 EP “Praise All Evil” once more. Refined in the fires, this version is tighter and more menacing, the sumptuous leads shining in the pale moon light like gold in a pile of bones. Those rich melodies continue into the neck snapping “Battling Through The Stormlands“, a tale of blood and thunder that almost feels Viking in origin with mention of swords, shields, flesh and bone. It has a glorious pomp and circumstance to it as well as a venomous bite, all of which puts into into a similar realm to the mighty Amon Amarth before the organ and occult ritual sample introduces the ripper that is “Crosses Drowned In Blood“. Racing percussion whips up a storm as the band offer up an earworm riff from which there is no escape, the vocals arguably the most savage on the record as a whole.

If that doesn’t satisfy your blood lust then a rendition of “Thorns For Mina” that is thirty eight seconds longer than original from 2020 EP “Vampirism in the Halls of Worship” will. Hitherto unheard bowel clenching lows and vocal ferocity dictates that there is something in the lyrical narrative that means this one means more, that emotive quality as well as some good vocal layering elevating this into the realms of Extreme Metal. Long live the King. Long live Dragsholm [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Irina’s Heart
2. The Wandering Relic
3. I Am The Impaler
4. A Coffin Unscathed
5. A Kingdom In The Land Of Shadows
6. Battling Through The Stormlands
7. Crosses Drowned In Blood
8. Thorns For Mina

“From The Bloodlines Of Bram” by Dragsholm is out 3rd July 2026 via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions and is available over at bandcamp