Valdrin - Apex Violator
First and foremost, the arrival of "Apex Violator" was truly a compelling surprise. Since discovering their previous work, "Throne of the Lunar Soul," I've found myself consistently drawn to Valdrin's sound, though I consider myself a relatively new enthusiast.
While I won't delve into every single nuance, I'll highlight key aspects that have made this album particularly striking in recent months.
"Apex Violator," in my opinion, showcases Valdrin's mastery in crafting intense and dissonant soundscapes. These often transition forcefully and rapidly into aggressive bursts, yet the band remarkably maintains a tight and precise execution. Their distinctive sound on this album leans more heavily into a hostile and direct form of black metal, emphasizing venomous blackened bite and serrated edges, while still incorporating menacing symphonic elements that build substantive mood.
Track 1: From the outset, the dissonant intro of the first track immediately captivated me. The way the instruments subsequently enter after this introduction is truly interesting, with the double-bass pedal providing a solid tempo that the other instruments powerfully follow. Valdrin truly excels in transitioning from moments of calm into brutal assaults. For me, this is undoubtedly their most intense album to date. The very subtle use of pianos, playing that distinct melody over the intricate instrumentation and visceral vocals, adds a wonderfully deep and layered dimension to the sound. Also, a significant commendation goes to the section that commences around the 3:15 mark; this slow, eerie, and haunting passage perfectly suits the band's style, and I believe they should definitely explore more of this atmospheric sound in the future.
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Track 2: This track bursts forth with a super triumphant, almost devilish sound that's immediately in your face. The chunky, deep-sounding chords, paired with the thunderous drums – generously layered with hi-hats and blast beats to maintain an unrelenting intensity – are absolutely phenomenal. The usage of pinch harmonics and squeals, toned so precisely that they sound like something conjured directly from hell itself, is nothing short of insane. This specific passage is incredibly cool. The rest of the track brings forth some of the best vocal screams on the album, in my opinion. I'm a massive fan of how the vocalist screams after long musical breaks, letting the music build before re-entering amidst the blast beats, adding fantastic layers to the intensity. I also appreciate the very quiet, yet still present, angelic clean vocal choirs harmonizing subtly in the background. Furthermore, the drums that kick in around the 3:20 mark are exceptionally tight, with brilliant usage of the ride (bell part) cymbal. They feel incredibly full, constantly engaging, and the drummer masterfully adds extra kicks exactly when needed. Track 2 was absolutely amazing.
Track 3: For sure, Track 3 boasts the most alluring introduction and overall sound on the album. After hearing this track released as a single before the full album, I was incredibly excited by Valdrin's embrace of this new, "refined" sound, which feels like it has an extra layer of spice thrown into the mix. The short build-up after the intro, with the vocals dramatically throwing you into the song with "START THE FIRE," was awesome! This was the moment my head did not stop banging until the very end. The guitarist's alternate picking of the main melody is super impressive; I feel alternate picking lends a really clear and extra unsettling, foreboding vibe that, accompanied by the rest of the mix, sounds incredibly cool. This track showcases some of the most complex guitar parts, which seem to have a constant "chug of notes" being played in the background, truly fueling that irresistible urge to headbang. I really liked the synth section that starts around 3:30 as well, and holy, the part shortly after with all that super chunkiness really got me moving. I also thought the addition of the guitar solo in the closing minute of the track was perfect, adding some really nice melodic touches to the album. Props to them for crafting this melodic part, which was so soothing on the ears, all while the rest of the mix churned underneath in true black metal fashion, never clashing but instead forming a lovely myriad of sound.
Track 4: Track 4 features the coolest chord progression on the album, found literally at its very beginning. I'd confidently say this song would probably be the first one I'd show someone if I wanted to introduce them to Valdrin. It houses fat riffs, hard-hitting drums with lovely cymbal work, and showcases beautiful guitar techniques such as harmonics, tremolo picking, and a captivating squeal section. It also features lovely melodic, swaying guitar passages playing on the high strings, delivering delightful melodies. The vocals are super good and perfectly mixed, giving the sense that they're truly more of an instrument than just vocals. This track was absolutely amazing.
Track 5: "Veins of Akasha" serves as a superb track to close off the album. While it maintains the overall tempo and intensity of the preceding songs, it introduces a nice dash of difference in terms of its vocal approach. I think the opening vocals are actually really nice; unlike others on the album, they sound somewhat "further away" and a little harsher. Given the song's overall sound, I feel this vocal approach was a very good choice. I particularly loved the 4:10 mark where the chaos subsides and the melodic part truly hits; the usage of ambient elements briefly transported me to another world for a few seconds. There's even a nice little acoustic guitar section subtly woven in there.
Check the video here
Overall, I'm genuinely impressed with how this album turned out. Even though I highly consider myself a newer Valdrin fan, I'd confidently say that this is the band at their absolute best sound (and I say this after listening to their discography!). This is a "new, refined, and polished" version of the band, with layers upon layers added into their music. It's a brilliant display of guitar playing—super fast, tight, and diverse drums—and vocals that could shatter windows, sung with such skill, transitioning from lows to highs on the fly. "Apex Violator" is absolutely amazing, and I'd gladly give it a 9/10 for showcasing every member's musical prowess. I'll be keeping a close eye on Valdrin from now on, with my full support, and I can't wait for my physical release to arrive. Great job, guys, truly a good album!
9-10: Exceptional
7-8: Good, Great
5-6: Average, Decent
3-4: Fair, Mediocre
1-2: Poor, Subpar
Grading system.
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