HEATHEN HARVEST
(USA)

Valinor is a Polish band that has existed since 1993. Their music has mainly been in the death/black metal vein. “Hidden Beauty” is their second full-length release. While they may be a black metal band, they have influences from many genres within heavy metal’s mantel. That they blend symphonic, thrash, black metal and classical into a melodic yet grim arrangements is a credit to their musical abilities.
“Prologue” is a short instrumental that sets the tone for the cd. A Middle Eastern like flavor is combined with an industrial atmosphere to great effect. “Hidden Beauty” expands on the theme, adding to it highly melodic guitars. One could easily compare this with Angel Witch or Mercyful Fate. “The Voice Of Space” has a mid tempo heavy aura, and heavy on the keyboards too, but not so much that they become an annoyance. “The Funeral” is fast paced; leaning towards symphonic, but subtle use of keyboards keeps it from becoming too over the top. “A Hand Of A Dead” is one the best tracks here. Classical influences blast into a metal fans dream; plenty of double bass, melodic twin guitars and guttural vocals (sounding a lot like Dimmu Borgirs’ Shagrath). “Hidden Beauty – The Beginning” is the second instrumental and another stand out as well. Nice touches of ambient start out the track, which dreamily evolves into an acoustic melody. There is a folk inspired sound to the piece as a whole. It is quite stirring and yet wistful. “ Requiem” hits us again with harmonious guitars and a light use of keyboards. “The Bloodless Face” gravitates toward a more traditional black metal sound musically with classical guitar melodies adding a nice touch. “Epilogue” is the last piece, very ambient and industrial in feel. Lots of thunder crashing, a somber choir in the background, all in all, a nice ending.
That Valinor takes musical influences from differing styles is more than evident. They succeed in that everything has a natural flow to it. There’s a disservice in labeling this as just another black metal band. They have combined NWOBHM, black metal, industrial, and classical music into something that defies to be categorized. While they may have started out as a black metal band, there really is no definite genre to compare them with. No matter what they compose it has their own identity. Their composition and musical ability are above par, and because of that they would excel to matter what banner they are given. That said, it would be interesting to hear more of their ambient and industrial influences in future releases. The have the ability to transform their music that at the moment, some would argue, borders a bit on the mediocre into something unforgettable.

Contributed by: Viktorya