
Face the enemy
-- Valkyre --
10/03/2020
Stijn Daneels

Album genres:
■ | Folk metal |
■ | Gothic Metal |
■ | Melodic Metal |
Album artists:
■ | Kris Scheerlinck | Guitar |
■ | Pepijn Desmet | Guitar |
■ | Wouter Verheyen | Bass |
■ | Peter Van Sweevelt | Drums |
■ | Liv Kristine | Vocals |
Review written by Stijn "Metal Shredder" Daneels.
[METAL SHREDDER REPORTING]
I was
recently contacted by Valkyre’s bassist Wouter Verheyen to check out these 3
songs for the upcoming Valkyre album “The Laudanum Dysphoria.” Since these 3
songs feature the iconic Norwegian vocalist Liv Kristine (from Theatre of
Tragedy and Leaves’ Eyes fame) I’m now more than thrilled to get my Shredder Claws
inside this little preview!
[SHREDDING BASICS]
This
3-track prerelease is part of the upcoming album “The Laudanum Dysphoria” from
the Ghent-based melodic gothic metal band Valkyre and their first new material
since the 2016 single “Riders of the Holy Chair.” The first song on this
preview is “Buried,” an energetic symphonic tune wherein Liv’s calm, seemingly
joyful vocals stand in stark contrast to the song’s dark lyrics (which deal
with a passionate but highly toxic relationship wherein the narrator wishes to
escape from).
Then comes “My
Worst Enemy” a more bombastic tune with some peaceful piano parts, a beautiful guitar
solo and some vicious shredding and slamming. As result, “My Worst Enemy” feels
more in line with the classic Valkyre material. The preview ends with “No Safe
Place,” another tandem of gothic metal with sharp guitars and an epic chorus.
Compared to
Valkyre’s earlier work, these new songs put a bit more emphasis on the symphonic
elements compared to the stuff they did in their most recent album, “Our
Glorious Demise.” And compared to her work with Leaves’ Eyes, Liv Kristine
sings in a slightly lower pitched and therefore more naturally sounding voice
while retaining her usual catchiness. Overall, her vocals fit very well with
this slightly more symphonic version of Valkyre. Aside from that, much of the
original Valkyre’s traits remain, a lot of guitar shredding with several
orchestral undertones and catchy, soft-spoken vocals.
[SHREDDING VISION]
The entire
world of Valkyre takes place in Belgium during the late 19th century
in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, Queen Victoria’s reign, king Leopold
II’s colonization of Congo, the rapid technological advances and also the
massive pollution and gap between the rich and the poor. And in this
ever-changing steam punk world the songs of Valkyre take place. These 3 new
Valkyre songs mainly deal with mental struggles such as an abusive
relationship, a loss of identity and pure mental breakdown.
[SHARPEST SHREDS & BLUNTEST BLADES]
My preference
goes to the second song in this prerelease, “My Worst Enemy,” I love the powerful
opening, the piano parts and the badass guitar riffs that go in smooth tandem
with the orchestral keyboards. Needless to say, I’m very impatient to hear the
other song’s Valkyre has made for the upcoming “Laudanum Dysphoria” album.
[SHREDDER’S SCORECARD]
7 Zeppelins
out of 10. If you enjoy Leaves’ Eyes or Valkyre’s earlier material then this
3-track preview of the latter’s upcoming album is certainly worth checking out.
Valkyre’s more guitar-centric approach and steampunk setting along with Liv
Kirstine’s typically operatic vocals make for a refreshing take on the gothic
and symphonic metal subgenres. The band will be touring Europe with Liv
Kristine this spring so be sure to check out the teaser below! The pre-release is available via Bandcamp: https://valkyremusic.bandcamp.com/album/3-song-pre-release-the-laudanum-dysphoria.