Showing posts with label Valle Crucis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valle Crucis. Show all posts

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Valle Crucis/Iron & Blood/Pagan Pride Records/Narcoleptica Productions/2018 CD Review


  Valle  Crucis  are  a  band  from  South  Carolina  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  raw,  destructive  and  violent  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "Iron  &  Blood"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Pagan  Pride  Records  and  Narcoleptica  Productions.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  grim  black  metal  screams  as  well  as  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  90's  era.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  more  of  a  melodic  style  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  along  with  the  songs  also  bringing  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  one  track  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  ritualistic  sounds  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction  and  synths  are  added  onto  the  closing  track.

 On  this  recording  Valle  Crucis  goes  for  more  of  a  raw,  old  school  and  melodic  style  of  black  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  anti  religion,  hate  and  historical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Valle  Crucis  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw,  melodic  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "March  Of  The  night"  "Soul  Fucker"  and  "Iron  &  Blood".  8  out  of  10.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Valle Crucis Interview


1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
 We are a black metal band based out of South Carolina. We began in May of 2016 after both Ashriel and I stepped away from our previous music projects. There's not much to say about us other than we're a couple of hateful people that like black metal and enjoy making music.

2.So far you have released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
 The sound can be described as raw with some melodic tendencies. We've gotten compared to bands such as Marduk, Mork Gryning, & Bathory

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
 A lot of the lyrics are of anti-religion (encompassing Christianity, Judaism & Islam), hate & history (coming with future songs).

4.I know that the bands name comes from the legend of the demon dog of Valle Crucis or North Carolina, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?
 We have a song on the ep that is based around the legend. The name came out from liking to have names with some meaning. I don't like to just have a random name for something, like "this sounds cool/kvlt, let's name it that". I also wanted something that was, at least, somewhat local or in the area to be named after or about. A hellhound running amuck on church grounds is pretty cool, plus the actual Latin pronunciation is aweseome, though we combine the latin pronunciation and the way the town pronounces it to create the band name (Vah-lee Crew-sis) (first part is the latin, 2nd is the southern pronunciation)
So, in a sense, it gives the feel of black metal with a demonic presence in a religious establishment.
5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding your line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
 We are trying out a bassist currently. Beyond that, there will likely be no other members added. We find that with less people, the easier it is to work together

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
 Our highlight show so far has been with Nordjevel & Imperial Triumphant back in May. We have several more dates coming soon including 3 fest appearances and a show with a major name in the genre.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
 No touring plans but our show schedule includes, Carolina Decimation, Communion of Darkness V, Opening for a national tour in our home venue & Wrath of the Goat VI

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
 We have received some interest, but have not signed yet. We are searching for a label and weighing options when offered anything

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
We've had very good feedback on our music so far. I haven't heard anything negative from anyone who has heard our music.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
 Currently this band is the only one Ashriel & I (Skullcrusher) are active with. I'm formerly of Engulfed in Blackness from Tennessee & Ashriel is formerly of several bands including Adimiron Sphere & IV Nevermore. We do have a couple of projects we have been in talks with but to this date haven't done much with as of yet.

11.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
 We are currently writing for a full length release. We plan to head back to the studio in early 2018.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
 Our influences are Marduk, Dark Funeral, Sargeist, early Satyricon, Merrimack, Emperor, Behexen, among a few others.
We listen to a whole lot of black metal ranging from well known to really underground. We also dig into our local scene past and present for some great music.

13.Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in your music?
Niether really play a role. There is one concept of Lucifer we are considering for a future song. Other than that, we have atheist views which is what is relflected in the music. Some may take it as Satanic, but blasphemy doesn't necessarily have to have a satanic connotation.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
We just want to say thank you to everyone in our scene, to those that stand with us & support us. If any of you haven't checked out our music then you probably ought to!
Thanks for taking the time to write us!

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Monday, July 3, 2017

Valle Crucis/Self Titled/2017 EP Review


  Valle  Crucis  are  a  band  from  South  Carolina  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  blasphemous  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  and  self  titled  2017  ep.

  Heavy  yet  melodic  riffing  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  drum  beats  a  few  seconds alter  and  after  awhile  grim  black  metal  screams  start  to  make  their presence  known  while  the  tremolo  picking  also  gives  the  songs  a  more  raw  and  old  school feeling  and  when  the  music speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and fast  parts  along  with  a  perfect  mixture  of  both  old  school  and  modern  influences  and  one  of  the  tracks  is  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  guitar  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  fashion  when  they  are  utilized  and  they  also  bring  in  an  instrumental  track  while  always  keeping  everything  in  a  very  heavy  and  raw  direction.

  Valle  Crucis  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is very  raw,  blasphemous  and  traditional  sounding,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  blasphemous  themes  and  legendary  stories.

  In  my  opinion  Valle  Crucis  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  blasphemous  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Hellhound  Of  Valle  Crucis"  "Blasphemous  Perversions"  and  "Winter's  Whore".  8  out  of  10.

https://vallecrucisblackmetal.bandcamp.com/releases