The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn

The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn is the fifth studio album by Swedish death metal band Bloodbath, released on 26 October 2018 via Peaceville. It is the only album to feature guitarist Joakim Karlsson.

Background and release
In a 2017 interview with Metal Wani, frontman Nick Holmes stated that the band will enter the studio in the end of January next year to record the follow-up to Grand Morbid Funeral. The recording process had officially concluded on 23 July 2018, with hints at featuring "legendary" guests on the album. On 17 August 2018, the band have confirmed The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn as title of their new album for a 26 October release via Peaceville. A lyric video for the first single of the album "Bloodicide", which featuring Jeff Walker of Carcass, John Walker of Cancer and Karl Willetts of Memoriam and formerly of Bolt Thrower, was available for streaming on 13 September 2018. On 18 October 2018, the band released a music video for the song "Chainsaw Lullaby".

Guitarist Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström commented on The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn: "What are we presenting with this album? Humanity's unfaltering march prone towards downfall. The threat to this world isn't from far beyond the sun, the enemy is right here, within the walls. Only the god of emptiness will survive us all. The arrow of Satan is drawn!

It wasn't deliberately planned to be just British guests, but as it randomly turned out that way, it became a really cool feat! Nick [Holmes], Jeff, Karl and John are all legends respectively within the UK death metal scene and we're proud to bring them all together on our little old school soiree to tribute the days of old."

Bloodbath

 * Bloodbath – production, engineering, art direction
 * Old Nick – vocals
 * Joakim (Karlsson) – guitar
 * Blakkheim – guitar
 * Lord Seth – bass guitar
 * Axe – drums

Additional musicians

 * Jeff Walker – guest vocals (track 2)
 * John Walker (Cancer) – guest vocals (track 2)
 * Karl Willetts – guest vocals (track 2)
 * Plytet (Tomas Åkvik) (Lik, Nale) – guitar solo (tracks 4, 8)

Production

 * Karl Daniel Lidén – engineering, mixing, mastering
 * Eliran Kantor – cover art
 * Matt Vickerstaff – artwork, layout
 * Steve Brown – photography