"Stormborn," other than exhibiting top-notch performances, is especially gifted in the art of bending around the many avenues within the world of heavy metal. Bloodbound's approach is fairly open-ended; in the past they have shifted to brief stints of hard rock/AOR themes and progressive elements alongside their power metal foundation. This flexibility is prevalent here, as "Stormborn" shows a healthy balance between high-flying power metal treatments, bulldozers led by stomping paces, and rock-inspired cuts exercising explosive choruses. Songs like "Iron Throne" and "When all Lights Fail" are huge Helloween-esque power metal rockets rifling at thermonuclear intensities, huge on double-bass pedaling and speedy riffs; their style leads to some fine songs loaded with electricity. Excellent leads and melodies around every corner.

"Made of Steel" and other accessible anthems work well in pacing "Stormborn" appropriately, mainly due to Bloodbound's rare ability to naturally write tunes boasting a hard rock structure without straining the quality performances. I think vocalist Patrik Johansson has become an organic fit for the band after replacing the wonderful Urban Breed in 2010. His performance here rivals the instrumental power of his counterparts, using huge, eagle-like chimes to color up the crispy riffs and biting choruses. "Stormborn," for the most part, is a bit more concentrated and focused than prior Bloodbound records, I think. Perhaps neither the heaviest nor the darkest of their alluring progenies, but I'd call it a robust and rigorous statement regardless.