VALRAVN
Eclipse Of Heathen Winds
(Morbid Chapel Records)
25:30min

VALRAVN is a one man Black Metal band from the United States with Nachtgeist taking care of all instruments and vocals. And “Eclipse Of Heathen Winds” is their 2020 debut demo. It was released digitally but also on a limited tape version of 100 copies by Morbid Chapel Records. There are 4 tracks and a 2 minute instrumental intro, that resembles BURZUM’s ambient albums, clocking at 25 minutes. Upon first hearing, I was really confused with the overall sound. But no, Nachtgeist went for the good old early 90s lo-fi production for “Eclipse Of Heathen Winds”. The music is good, but the sound doesn’t let you appreciate his approach at full. Let’s get the negative out of the way: the mix. The drums are drowned and barely noticeable, overshadowed by guitars. If there is a bass track, I couldn’t hear it. And keeping true to this style of music, the vocals are really pushed to the background. Once you get past this, we can get to the positive: the songs are great. They have lots of different rhythm patterns that cover the slow, “marching” style of say early IMMORTAL, to blazing fast parts à la old ULVER mixed with acoustic guitar passages. The guitar riffs are not innovative, but they do have the spirit and the atmosphere, which is utterly somber and majestic at the same time. The drum work is ok and it does the job. I can’t really say anything about the bass guitar. Add some high pitched shrieking vocals and you have yourself a complying Black Metal demo that shows potential but nothing else. More information and music from the band you will find at https://valravnbm.bandcamp.com. You can get the tape version from the label: https://morbidchapelrecords.bandcamp.com, www.morbidchapelrecords.com

Alfonso Perez

Alfonso Perez

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