Apparently the term 'psychedelic' means different things to different people. Take this band VALKYRIE here, who describe their own music as 'Heavy psychedelic rock'. Well, that's all very nice, but that's not what I'm hearing. This is heavy metal, pure and simple. It's the heavy metal of bygone eras, originally played by bands such as BLACK SABBATH, BUDGIE, ST. VITUS and TROUBLE, but heavy metal it is. Straight to the point, with hardly a mushroom in sight. Not only that, this is actually good heavy metal.

Production-wise it's no great shakes, because this thing does not seem to be produced at all. It sounds like a one-take recording in the practice room. With a lesser band this would have been a problem, but it's all played pretty tight with hardly a bum note. On top of that, the song material is really strong. Great riffs, even some twin-guitar parts (most notably on "Endless Crusade") and vocals somewhat reminiscent of Glenn Danzig. In this case, the lack of production actually adds some (dark) atmosphere. Still, it would be interesting to hear what a producer could do with this.

Looking at the website I wonder how old these guys are. Although they sound like veteran doomsters they look like really nice, young men who one would expect to play indie or emo rock. Still, it's nice to know there's still hope for today's youth with young people like this, who know there's more to metal than LINKIN PARK.

Ladies and gentlemen, the band is called VALKYRIE. If you like any of the bands mentioned above (LINKIN PARK excepted of course) by all means check 'em out. If there's any justice in the world you will be hearing more of them.

- Van Hoften

OFFICIAL SITE: www.thevalkyrierides.com

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