Valfreya/Dawn Of Reckoning/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Montreal,  Quebec's  Valfreya  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  moving  away  from  the  folk  metal  style  of  earlier  releases  and  going  for  more  of  a  symphonic  and  melodic  blackened  death  metal  direction  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2024  album  "Dawn  Of  Reckoning".

  Symphonic  sounds,  choirs  and  violins  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  are  vocals  are  mostly  grim  yet  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  growls  can  also b e  heard  at  times.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in a   great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  pars  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.    

  Classical  guitars  can  also  be  heard  one  a  couple  of  songs  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  A  couple  of  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  female  vocals  as  well  as  some  spoken  word  parts  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  the  Nose  Goddess  Hel  as  she  brings  malice  and  justice  to  humanity.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Valfreya  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  symphonic  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Rise"  "The  Fall"  "The  Fallen  Keys"  and "Reus  Es".  8  out  of  10.

  https://linktr.ee/valfreyaofficial

Lyric Video - “The Rise” - https://youtu.be/2Y8VIg37iMg​

Lyric Video - “Le Périple” at https://youtu.be/vRHbtl3o1OQ  

Valfreya/Acoustic Chronicles Part II/2019 EP Review

 

  This  a  review  of  a  recording  from  Montreal,  Quebec,  Canada's  Valfreya  a  band  more  known  for  their  melodic  black/pagan  and  folk  metal  style  but  on  this  album  goes  for  more  of  an  acoustic  folk  music  direction  and  the  ep  was  self  released  in  2009  and  called  "Acoustic  Chronicles  Part  II".

  A  very  dark  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  violins  and  tribal  style  percussion  a  few  seconds  later  while  nature  sounds  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  When  acoustic  guitars  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  more  of  a  folk  music  style  and  the  vocals  are  all  done  in  a  clean  style  with  both  male  and  female  vocals.

  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  while  the  guitars  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  both  full  chords  and  finger  picking.  Pagan  chants  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  the  atmosphere  of  pagan  era  Europe  at  times  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  On  this  recording  Valfreya  stay  away  from  the  heavier  direction  of  their  previous  releases  and  goes  for  more  of  an  unplugged  and  acoustic  musical  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  French  and  English  and  cover  Norse  Mythology,  Pagan  Gods,  Life,  Death  and  Legends.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Valfreya  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band  or  pagan  folk  music,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Jeter  L_Ancre"  "Peuple  du  Nord"  and  "Shame  And  Despair".  8  out  of  10.

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Instagram.com/valfreya_band

Twitter.com/ValfreyaMetal        

Valfreya/Promised Land/2017 Full Length Review

  Valfreya  are  a  band  from  Montreal,  Quebec,  Canada  that  has  been  featured  before  in this  zinw  and  plays  a  mixture  of  folk  and  melodic  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Promised  Land".

    Stringed  instruments  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  symphonic  elements  and  keyboards  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  the  intro   they  go  into  a  heavier  direction  while  also  keeping  the  symphonic  elements  and  the  vocals  also  bring  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  very  melodic.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  and  back  up  vocals  are  also  used  at  times  along  with  the  songs  also  bringing  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  both  male  and  female  clean  singing  vocals  and  as  the  album  progresses  more  folk  music  elements  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  spoken  word parts  along  with  acoustic  guitars  are  also  used  briefly  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  fast  riffs  also  use  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking.

  Valfreya  remain true  to  the  folk  and  melodic  black/death  metal  mixture  of  previous  releases,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  Nordic  Paganism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding recording  from  Valfreya  and  if  you  are  a fan  of  folk  and  melodic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Odin's  Fury"  "Shame  And  Despair"  "Promised  Land"  and  "Evolution".  8  out  of  10. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX2M2deDyb8 

Valfreya Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Valfreya is a viking metal band with folk/black metal influences that was created in 2009. The music is inspired from Nordic mythology and it brings the listeners into a fantastic tale.  

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Valfreya plays aggressive music with glorious riffs that is completed into a symphonic ensemble with the use of keyboards.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

The lyrics tell the story from beginning to end on  the album path to eternity.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Nordic mythology is the number one inspiration for the band. We have created a story inspired of their multiple worlds, creatures and gods.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
The album launch of Path to Eternity was the best show we played. We had transformed the entire venue to create the ambiance of a medieval tavern. A lot of costumed people were at the event, including the staff.
Here you can see some pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150585402274487&set=a.10150486065444487.384794.143393999486&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150606598679487&set=a.10150486065444487.384794.143393999486&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150585400964487&set=a.10150486065444487.384794.143393999486&type=3
Main album page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150486065444487.384794.143393999486&type=3

As for our stage performance, we like to bring a lot of energy as well as a theatrical act into our show. We're always costumed and we wish to bring the public into the ambiance of the tale that is presented throughout our music.

6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

We have quite a few shows all over the province of Québec and we are planning a tour in the western provinces of Canada. We also wish to travel Europe but there are no dates confirmed for this possible project.

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of pagan and folk metal?

Very positive! The fans of Pagan - Folk - Viking metal seem to find our sound refreshing. We have successfully created a musical sound that is new within a genre that is already very exploited. We also bring out a special touch with our theatrical act throughout shows.

8. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

We already started the work on our next album. We are keeping the same Viking Metal inspiration but we will also bring out a new feel. I won't say more!

9. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

All of the members of the band have their own influences, but when it comes to me I would say:
Wintersun: For the vocals and intensity of the songs.
Equilibrium: For the festive side.
Arkona: When it comes to the folk feel.
Dimmu Borgir: For the darker and more black metal influenced parts of the album.

Rhapsody: With Keyboards and symphonies.

10. How would you describe your views on Norse Paganism?

We're not really implicated with Norse paganism.
Our music is simply inspired by Nordic mythology.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

It's hard to mention our interests outside of music.
We like to see shows when we're not playing them. I'd say it is most likely going around anything involving arts and creativity.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

I would suggest everyone to keep themselves updated through our facebook / reverbnation or even twitter.
All of our shows are announced and we have some upcoming surprises!!

Bandcamp

Facebook Page

Facebook Profile

Homepage

iTunes

Myspace

ReverbNation

Twitter

YouTube

Valfreya/Path To Eternity/Maple Metal Records/2012 CD Review

  Valfreya  are  a  band  from  Montreal,  Canada  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  symphonic  form  of  folk/viking  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Path  To  Eternity"  which  was  released  by Maple  Metal  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to mid  paced  drumming  with  some  fast  playing  and  blast  beats,  while  the  keyboards  bring  a  very  epic,  atmospheric,  and  symphonic  sound  to  the  music  while  the  folk  instruments  bring  a  very  medieval  pagan  sound  to  the  music,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  the more  melodic  forms  of  black  and  death  metal  together  in  a  more  viking  direction  as  well  as  a  good  amount  of  influences  from  traditional  metal  and  folk  music,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  they  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  bring  more  folk  elements  to  the  music.

  Vocals  range  from  clean  female  singing  to high  pitched  blackened  death  screams  and  growls,  spoken  word  parts  as  well  as  some  clean  singing  male  viking  metal  chanting,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Norse  Mythology,  as  for  the production  it has  a  very  strong,  powerful  and  heavy  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion Valfreya  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  and  symphonic  folk  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Inferno"  "Ocean's  Assault"  "Alefest"  and  "My  Everlasting  Star".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

http://youtu.be/Ypu2t9yDmEU