Published by Davide Pappalardo on May 5, 2018
Swedish project VALHALL is not a new name for our long time readers: we already reviewed their album Leaning On Shadows (Italian only) and interviewed the mysterious duo at the beginning of 2015. They are the anonymous makers of a sound inspired by witch house, neofolk, ambient and synth-pop with a penchant for orchestral compositions and epic atmospheres.
Their last work Grimoire is a further evolution of their sound, following more of a dreamy “dark pop” structure while retaining witch house and orchestral elements. The quasi-trip hop movements and general atmosphere could remind us of Aaimon but, rest assured, VALHALL keep their distinctive identity firmly enforcing their vision on modern electro-dark music. Vocals duty are shared between robotic and/or filtered male vocals and evocative female ones moving among the occult and majestic atmospheres evoked by their synth sounds and arches.
Bonetress starts as a delicate journey with phantasmagoria-lines and melancholic patterns, soon developing into a sweet melody made of slow rhythms and carousel sounds. Effected male vocals complete the soundscapes with their brooding verses, while the choruses are the main-stage for the beautiful female vocals which convey the ethereal atmosphere of the track. Modern electro elements and traditional song structures are entwined in a nice opener effectively showing us the main elements of the album.
Lilies for belial is more of a dark affair, starting with crispy electronic broken sounds, then adding hypnotizing synth-lines and cavernous male vocals. A strange “alt-electro-pop” full of futuristic elements and ancient atmospheres, not devoid of emotional moments thanks to the duet between the two voices achieved during the refrain. 80’s melodies and straight drum machines rhythms are the main elements of this enthralling piece.
The title track is a display of minimal-wave structures and vintage bass-lines, an electro-pop pastiche with almost sugary moments, but keeping a certain element of darkness in its background thanks to whispered passages and ghostly sounds. The female voice is the protagonist of the track, dreamy and filtered by ethereal effects. This is probably one of the most straight-forward episodes of the album, an elegant number with a nice building.
Aeons unveiled return to more experimental territories, uniting blipping electronics and liquid atmospheres, while melancholic orchestral elements and sparse rhythms give us a cinematic development. Vocoder vocals enter the stage, following the syncopated structure of the track, a post-witch house episode made with the usual elegance and harmony.
Grimoire is an emotive album where synth pop structures and post-witch house sounds collide into an atmospheric work based on dark melodies and enthralling choruses. Violins and orchestral soundscapes give us a solemn and evocative background upon which the other elements are layered in a winning combination. Artoffact Records confirm itself as a label giving space to the best of projects born from the influence of the witch house movement, and together with label mates Ritualz and Aaimon they are carrying the torch of the genre proudly.
Label: Artoffact Records
Rating: 7,5