May | 2021 | Valkyrian Music

Archive for May, 2021

Daybreaker – Sanctuary

Posted in Review with tags Daybreaker, Groove metal, Metal, Mick Birchall, sanctuary, UK Underground, Underground (British subculture) on 19th May 2021 by Mickelrath

Daybreaker
Sanctuary
Groove Metal, Heavy Metal
Released: 21 May 2021
Self-Released

You guys know me at this point. I love some groovy riffs infused with the heaviest of metal tracks. Hoo boy, do I have an awesome recommendation for you today. I’ve been aware of Daybreaker for some time, I’ve even seen them live a couple of times. They’re one of those bands that I always wanna checkout if they’re in town. Meaty riff-tastic metal music that is packed with energy. The North-West metallers are set to release the new EP, Sanctuary. A powerful and commanding release that keeps you hooked from start to finish. They took what has worked in the past and amplified it all the way to 11.

The EP opens on bright sunny intro “Enter Salvation” that quickly turns into disaster with an explosion and sirens to set the apocalyptic mood for the brutality to follow. This then cranks into “The Redeemer”. There’s something very ‘mid-2000’s’ metalcore sounding about this track. The booming bass and tight drum work lock into place and keep the pace as the guitars churn out the riffs and the vocal performance goes into full gear. The EP literally goes from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds and it doesn’t come down for the duration. Following that up are the tracks “Decent” and “In Death”. Two meaty tracks with plenty of groove to them as well keeping the EP feeling fresh and dynamic, rather than just balls to the wall brutality.

Following that up is, for me, the stand out track to the EP “Path of Righteous”. The blast of drums to open the track get you ready for the following beat down. The track goes through a few different and distinct parts that make it a worthy listening experience. The high energy, the brutal breakdown and an atmospheric guitar outro. Man, this song really hit me. Finally rounding out the EP is “MOAB” and “Used God Salesman”. “MOAB” has a strong riff and keeps a tight groove throughout. Then “Used God Salesman” caps off the EP on a high note. It’s just a balls to the wall metal track that makes you wanna get up and mosh around.

Yeah, I rather enjoyed that EP. A fierce listening experience that I want to come back to time and time again. It might not be to everyone’s liking, I mean if you’re not into groove metal, metalcore or its subsidiaries then, this won’t be for you. I wish there was more to it. However, as far as criticisms go, they’re not bad problems to have. An excellent outing for the band and I look forward to hearing these songs live in concert.

9/10

Mick Birchall

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Black Sigma – Lost

Posted in Review with tags Ambient, atmospheric black metal, Doom metal on 17th May 2021 by izaforestspirit

Black Sigma
Lost
Released 1st April 2021
Atmospheric Black Metal
Self-Released

‘Lost’ is the debut album from the Belgian atmospheric black metal artist Black Sigma. The project was launched last year by the musician known as Occulta, who used to be the vocalist of the symphonic black metal band Avatar back in the ‘90s.

After several listens I can state that the main two adjectives I would use to describe this album would be ‘atmospheric’ and ‘melancholic’. There is a fair bit of melody in the guitar work and it is paired with haunting black metal shrieks. Occasionally Occulta mellows things down like in the piano outro to Always Alone and the ambient-esque closing track Desolation. The style is fairly similar to the German ambient black metal duo Bann. A lot of the songs have long instrumental parts with the vocals being used sparingly.

The second half of the album includes some subtle doom undertones in the guitar patterns ,for example in the title track. That particular song also features a variety of vocal styles ranging from shrieks at the start, to My Dying Bride -style semi-growls and eerie whispers. I also enjoyed the ambient keyboard and guitar passages on Apocalypse 3.0.

In summary I can confirm that this is definitely my kind of black metal. Black Sigma is one of the most promising newcomers to the scene and I look forward to hearing more from him.

9/10

Iza Raittila

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Skarlett Riot – Invicta

Posted in Editorial/Opinionated, Review with tags despotz records, Hard rock, Invicta, Metalcore, Mick Birchall, Skarlett Riot on 6th May 2021 by Mickelrath

Skarlett Riot

Invicta

Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Metalcore

Released 7 May 2021

Via Despotz Records

It’s a special feeling when you see one of your favourite bands rise up and release an album this good. Yes, this will probably be somewhat of a biased review as I really do like this band and I can confidently say that I’m almost proud of Skarlett Riot for making this album. Invicta is their third album and it’s been quite the journey listening to them grow and develop into the band they are today. They have always had a way with lyrical themes intertwined with heavy dark tones with a good measure of catchy melodies and this record is no exception with songs that will no doubt be taking centre stage of their setlists when the world goes back to normal and gigs are once again attendable. It could have been really easy for the band to not do anything during the lockdown, however they were laser-focussed on this new project and, armed with this new album, they’ll be ready to take over the hard rock scene.

The album opens with “Breaking the Habit” and it sets the tone for what to expect throughout. Dark and heavy melodies with impactful hard-hitting lyrics. It goes full-force and doesn’t really slow down except for the magnificent crescendo that is the ballad “Into Pieces”, which for my money, is really the centre piece of the album. A soft acoustic intro that builds into a solid hard rock ballad that really caught me off guard but I really enjoy listening to it. While listening to this, I found myself relating to a lot of the lyrics on here. Skarlett Riot work their magic with the lyrics. I especially like the dark lyrics in “Black Cloud” which perfectly sums up how depression and anxiety feels, it really hit me hard and the vocal performance really sells it to you with a lot of conviction and passion.

The production absolutely packs that extra punch. The big difference on this record is the addition of guttural vocal work, which has never really been in Skarlett Riot’s previous work. Thanks to new bassist, Tim Chambers. He really works off of Chloe’s vocal work and complements it with big bassy sounding guttural vocals that really gives this album so much more of an edge. The guitar riffs are excellent and create a solid framework for the songs. Then you have the drums which feel so punchy on this release. The drum-fills are well worked and they add so much depth to the overall sound.

Okay, this was an outright advertisement for the album rather than a review. Yeah, it goes without saying that I recommend this album. It’s more Skarlett Riot with more of a punch and the new addition of the vocal work is so welcome in the band’s sound. Just an excellent listen and one already in my top ten albums for 2021

10/10

Mick Birchall

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New Impaled Nazarene album coming later this month

Posted in Misc., News, Studio Report with tags Black Metal, Impaled Nazarene, new album on 3rd May 2021 by izaforestspirit

Good news for black metal fans. Seven years since their last studio effort ‘Vigorous and Liberating Death’, now the Finnish group Impaled Nazarene are finally ready to unleash their latest opus on the world. Their long-awaited new album will be entitled ‘Eight Headed Serpent’.

Here’s the cover art and track-listing: