Review: V▲LH▲LL – 'Grimoire'

V▲LH▲LL

'Grimoire'

ARTOFFACT RECORDS

It has been four years since Sweden's V▲LH▲LL released their debut album 'Leaning On Shadows', and in that time they've kept busy releasing a remix companion and two further EPs that have continued to diversify and experiment with their sound. 2018 sees the release of their sophomoric effort 'Grimoire'; a fitting title given their penchant for incorporating witch house and neofolk influences into their music.

It's easy to hear the band's influences in their music, but the way in which they combine them more than surpasses the sum of it's parts. Witch house, neofolk, darkwave, electro, and even a few electro-pop elements all combine into a heady witches brew that balances the modern and the arcane. Tracks such as 'Bonetrees', 'Dead Waves', 'Lilies For Belial', 'Ormen's Offer', and 'Aeons Unveiled' continue to develop those familiar aspects of the band's sound with the distorted male vocals countered by the melodic feminine tones, and the left-field use of rhythms and analogue electronics.

The band still throw a few curve balls as well with the dark but pop-flavoured title track, the hypnotic swing of 'Ruins Of Vanaland', the trip-hop influenced 'The Hunt', and the instrumental closer 'Niðingrdans' with it's most overtly witch house vibes on the album. But it's the addition of the violin in particular on 'Ormen's Offer', courtesy of Jessica Pimentel, that gives the album it's most magically-infused moment.

The band's production has always been very good on every release and even at the band's most experimental on 'Grimoire' there is an accessibility that counterbalances everything nicely. There is always something tangible underneath every song that holds it together and keeps the focus.

This is another strong release from V▲LH▲LL that shows off their finest songwriting so far. Hypnotic and magical their blending of genres and incorporating of occult and mythological themes creates a winning combination. With 'Grimoire' they have summoned something very special .

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Review: V▲LH▲LL – 'Vi††ΞЯS†ЯåK'

V▲LH▲LL
'Vi††ΞЯS†ЯåK'
SELF-RELEASED

Stockholm's V▲LH▲LL are an undeniably impressive act. Formed in 2012 they have fast become one of the most impressive underground electronic acts around today despite only having a few releases to their name. Their début full-length release last year on Artoffact Records, 'Leaning On Shadows' was a triumphant blend of atmospheric songwriting incorporating elements of witch house, neofolk, dark ambient and industrial. Just in time for Halloween comes the band's new single 'Vi††ΞЯS†ЯåK' which features two tracks of dissonant dark ambiance to send shivers down your spine.

Track one, 'Vi††ΞЯS†ЯåK Part 1: An Entrance' creaks and crackles into life as light metallic noises, breathy drones, and scratches eventually give way to a simple rhythm that fades in and out of life. The track gradually builds into more complex and witch house flavoured rhythms as it goes on transmogrifying the song from noise to nightmarish industrial.

Track two, 'Vi††ΞЯS†ЯåK Part 2: Did You Hear Something' begins with a pleasing ambient drone over watery sounds occasionally permeated by sinister strings. Light percussive noises begin to appear and unintelligible whispers float up through the mix. The track then suddenly veers into an assault of electronic beats which bring the song into rhythmic noise territory before fading back into the atmospheric sounds.

At thirteen minutes and eleven minutes long respectively the band give you plenty to get stuck into. The slow evolution of the tracks and subtle shifts throughout are closer to a classical arrangement rather than an electronic one. And with the heavy use of atmospheric and ambient elements it builds into a cohesive soundscape that could easily score a short and disturbing film.

The production, despite the occasional noise leanings, is pretty open and clean. The emphasis is on atmosphere and that is exactly what you get. A great cavernous sense of space that slowly closes in as you go from one movement to another.

This is another great release from V▲LH▲LL that continues to show off their skill and diversity. They seamlessly span experimental and more accessible genres and can craft exquisitely haunting atmospheres with ease. 'Vi††ΞЯS†ЯåK' is Halloween friendly scary music in a non cliché way that shows a real mastery of sound, melody and rhythm. Hopefully the band will follow this up soon with another full-length album to show the full scope of their abilities again. 

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