Sunday 17 May 2020

Wolftooth - Valhalla (Album Review)


Release date: May 22nd 2020. Label: Cursed Tongue Records / Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Valhalla – Tracklisting

1.Intro "The Lamentation Of Frigg"
2.The Possession
3.Firebreather
4.Valhalla
5.Fear For Eternity
6.Scylla & Charybdis
7.Molon Labe
8.Crying of the Wolves
9.The Coven
10.Juneau

Members

Chris Sullivan Guitar/ Vocals
Terry McDaniel Bass
Jeff Cole Guitar
Johnny Harrod Drums/Vocals

Review

Valhalla is the 2nd album from Heavy Psych Stoner Rockers – Wolftooth – who made an impression with their debut album back in 2018. Valhalla sees Wolftooth continue their Stoner Metal/Heavy Metal journey with a more adventurous approach especially with the Psychedelic and Classic Heavy Metal themes that lies within the album.

Valhalla is expertly produced and superbly made record that Wolftooth play to their strengths and their love for Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath has never been stronger. The riffs come thick and fast with some epic classic sounding Twin Guitar action that ultimately seals the deal for myself personally.

Wolftooth have written better lyrics for this album though it’s still wonderfully flamboyant and OTT in the right places. The 10 songs on this album embrace the 70s/80s Hard Rock/Heavy Metal scene with genuine love and affection but Wolftooth are wise enough to fuse a Psychedelic Stoner Metal/Doom Metal atmosphere to their music and it pays off big time with a superbly entertaining album.

The opening songs Intro "The Lamentation Of Frigg", The Possession and Firebreather have a classic feel to them with some epic progressive sounds being played along the way. If you dig Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy or perhaps The Sword then Wolftooth play a similar kind of music on these songs but still maintaining their own style and creative drive.

The music is always constantly engaging with excellent vocals and lyrics to match that add to the overall flow and approach to the whole album.

Wolftooth keep up their rich creative form on the 2nd part of the album and that’s where the album impresses the most with some of the heaviest and action packed sounds contained on this part of the album. Songs such as: Fear For Eternity, Scylla & Charybdis and Motion Lace is where I felt that are the best songs on the album with Wolftooth playing some excellent Hard Rock/Heavy Metal riffs that show how the band have progressed onto the next level from their debut album.

Wolftooth are continuing their relationship with Cursed Tongue Records for this album but they’ve partnered up with Powerhouse Record Label – Ripple Music. And those two great labels know a thing or two about releasing awesome albums and Valhalla is no exception.

Overall, Valhalla is a thunderous and thrilling album that will keep almost every fan in the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal spectrum entertained from start to finish.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and Cursed Tongue Records for the promo. 

Valhalla will be available to buy on CD/DD from Ripple Music and Vinyl from Cursed Tongue Records from May 22nd 2020.

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