Created as homage to the nineties Death ’n’ Roll movement, Vallenfyre bring a potent mixture of grit munching, obsidian style riffs to the table that put simply flatten the listener. Helmed by one Greg Macintosh, you may now the man from his fame in Paradise Lost, Vallenfyre is a vehicle to the darker side of the melodic mourner. With much of the Old School sound of Swedish descent there are some bands that have slipped through the cracks in the UK. Returning with their sophomore effort following the chipped Splinter, Vallenfyre have at long last returned to seize the Swedish Death Metal throne once again.
[tracklist]
- Born To Decay
- Messiah
- Degeneration
- An Apathetic Grave
- Nihilist
- Amongst The Filth
- Kill All Your Masters
- The Merciless Tide
- Dead World Breathes
- Soldier of Christ
- Cursed From The Womb
- Temple of Rats
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[/details]Giving Macintosh’s riffing style a forceful kick up the arse, there is scarcely a moment to let up on new record, Fear Those Who Fear Him. Acting as the band’s vocalist, the man’s quietly reserved persona behind the guitar in the Yorkshire doomers is instead sidelined for truly brutish vocals. “Degeneration” for example using brilliant dynamics that combine elements of the buzzsaw guitar style riffing with Macintosh’s ashen vocals to deliver a truly decisive punch. Remaining in the Punk vibe for much of the album, the record is an abrasive affair. Perhaps a nod to the classic Death ’n’ Roll band,“Nihilist” sees blastbeats come thick and fast as they accompany furious Punk style riffs that wouldn’t go amiss in a Napalm Death tune.
However where the true gem lies is the coming together of the band, particularly the jam style groove of “Amongst The Filth” reminiscent of the classic hey day of Death Metal. All the way from the production style creating a thick blanket of smog, which guitars fittingly cut right through. The sheer amount of groove put forward on the track, not to mention the magnitude of the boot to the face style production as Macintosh’s vocals that tumble out of his mouth, is nothing short of brilliant. Yet just as the band might be able to show their lugubrious nature so can they rip your head clean off. Clocking in at a Nails taunting forty seconds, “Dead World Breathes” has that classic midlands grit about it. Elements that made the movement so vital back in the day.
After the drunken start of “Temple of Rats” suitably washes the bile from its mouth, relentless drumming is brought right back into a Punk vibe with caustic, well buffed guitar. Before moving into yet another perfectly thought out half time feel. The chance is, if you’re reading this, you’ll know exactly what Vallenfyre are about and what they sound like. Not wanting to reinvent the wheel, the band give it a spin so fast that it could knock it clean off its hinges. As the final tones of the record abruptly come to a halt just as quickly as their chaos and calamity arrived so is it dispelled. This is Old School Death Metal for Old School Death Metal fans at its finest. Accept no imitations.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Old School Death Metal is the plat du jour here. Served up with vim and vigour, its proof that though Vallenfyre might only convene sparingly, when they do its for very good reason.[/why]
If you like what you read / heard then you can pick up the record here!
