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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Vallhall to release 'Grimoire'

Swedish duo VALHALL returns with their second album, 'Grimoire', available February 09th on CD and February 23rd on Vinyl, via Artoffact Records.

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'Grimoire' is available for pre order via Bandcamp and iTunes and when you order through iTunes you’ll receive the song ‘Ormens Offer’ for free! You can also listen to 'Ormens Offer' on Spotify and Apple Music.

By definition a grimoire is a book of magical knowledge. Such a book may contain lists of angels and demons, directions on casting charms and spells, on mixing medicines, summoning unearthly entities, and making talismans. Grimoires contain secret knowledge and have been in use since ancient times. 

The grimoire of VALHALL is inspired by, but not limited to, such knowledge. It draws its power from the ancient and the current, from the arcane and the technological. It serves to give the listener excerpts of fantasies and folklore, myths and truths, dreams and nightmares. Grimoire is a collection of electronic darkwave songs, wrapped in a coat of witchhouse and neofolk, that VALHALL is known for.

Some songs on 'Grimoire' features guest violin contributions by Jessica Pimentel (Maria Ruiz in Orange is the New Black), lead singer of the Brooklyn-based metal band Alekhine's Gun. Pimentel also recently contributed violins to Origin's Nuclear Blast release 'Unparalleled Universe' and has said that Valhall is one of her favourite bands.

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