EP Review: Valhalla Awaits - Perdition
Reviewed by Liam True
Although Valhalla Awaits members come from already established bands (Revoker & The Blackout to name just two) they’re building themselves from the ground up. On their third EP the Welsh quintet show that being in established bands doesn’t necessarily mean everything you put out will be gold. Not to say that Perdition is a bad EP, it’s not. It’s just, okay.
'Door Of No Return' start promising with a build-up and a speedy guitar riff that does provide blisters as it’s that furious. But when the riffs stops as the song goes on, it’s a little bland. The energy and punishing drum work from Snoz can’t elevate much further. 'Staring At The Gun' however is the best song on the EP. Its slower pace suits the band more, especially with Hunts vocals echoing through the song showing glimpses of Europe’s Joey Tempest, as they crank out possibly one of the finest songs of their history.
'Is There Anybody Out There?' is also at a slower pace, a form which the band excels at more than the faster songs. Hunt on this song shows his baritone low sides as the band performs a stunning instrumental. Sounding much like an ode to the 80’s glam rock stylings as you can imagine the rain pouring down in the music video they’d release for this. 'We Remain' and 'All Hope Is Lost' are the final two songs, and they don’t really add much depth to the EP. Ending on what feels a little like filler material rather than actual songs they’d want to use.
Nothing of note on the songs really stands out. I mean you have Andrew Hunt on vocals who soars high into the near falsetto registers of his ability backed by Gareth ‘Snoz’ Lawrence on drums. Even with the duel-guitar tango from Chris Green & Rhys Carter it still isn’t enough to give Valhalla Awaits that big push they were looking for. Again, it must be said, 'Perdition' isn’t bad. It just isn't that memorable.
