Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Valhalla
Title
The Aftermath
Type
LP/EP
Company
Independent
YOR
2005
Style
Power
6/2/2006 - Review by: Anthony Burke
Valhalla - The Aftermath - 2005 - Agnat Records

Track Listing
1. Inseminator
2. Enemy
3. Lost In Space
4. Heroes
5. Farewell
6. Miracle
7. Memories
8. XXX
9. Time
Play Loud, the first thing I saw before popping this into the trusty disc player. Nice, now that my taste buds have been watered, it is time to see if they can make a CD as good as they can float their own boat.

Created in 1997 and hailing from Spain, the band started with 3 guys from various bands whose sole purpose was just to play metal. Now that the line-up has gone from 3 to 5 it includes Javi Navarro (vocals, from the band Aftershok), Ignacio Garamendi (guitar, from the band Soulitude), Mikel Martinez (guitar, form the band Almondiga), Jose Felix (bass), Ivan Corcuera (drums, from the band Nordwind).

Musically, the band seems unoriginal at first, sounding as if they are searching for their own sound by mimicking such greats as Primal Fear, Dragon Force, and Hammerfall. A closer listen shows that this is no way the case. The opening track is heavy, fast, incorporates great guitar shreds, and is written about their favorite subject, heavy metal. The race is on boys, and they want the lead by following up the same power and intensity on the following track. However, this album is less than perfect with weak and uneventful tracks such as “Lost In Space”, “Farewell”, and Memories”. Then there is a gallopy ballad to bring this story to a close. Replace tracks 3, 5, and 7 with the power and speed that “Inseminator” and “XXX” showcase and this would make for an absolute perfect album, however, there are some simple, unimaginative filler tracks here, but what is done is done. This is simply a case of a speeding car that tried to run on three tires and a half a tank of gas.

Some say that Valhalla lacks in originality. Well, maybe that is a bit true in some cases, but Valhalla is a band who can stand on their own just fine. I love power metal, but is their really anything that has not been touched upon. I do not think so, but it is all how a band spins that sound to create an individual identity. Personally, this album does drop at points, but after the dust has settled, this needs to be added to your CD collection.

Personal rating: 7.5/10




--Iced Mojo 05.15.06
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: VALHALLA
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
The Aftermath
2005
Independent
Anthony Burke6/2/2006
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: VALHALLA
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