LIGHTING SWORDS OF DEATH/VALDUR „Self Titled Split”

Music: Black Metal


Website: http://www.myspace.com/lightningswordsofdeath/http://www.myspace.com/valdurkult
Country: United States of America
Duration: 01:01:39 (8 songs)
Cool Songs: Venter of the Black Beast, Paths to Chaos, Raven God Amongst Us, Blodhevn / Vendetta, Spears Torrent.

Let me start off this review by disagreeing with a statement I’ve been hearing throughout the years. The statement being that the United States aren’t quite known to conceive great Black Metal. As time passed I started discovering great releases from bands such as Judas Iscariot, Xasthur, Weakling, Agalloch, Nachtmystium, Krallice, Averse Sefira, which in turn got me thinking of this particular statement I’ve been hearing (reading) throughout the years. All doubt and speculation ended once I recently received a particular Split CD release by two more great bands which without a doubt should be added to the top Black Metal releases in the US list, if there exists such one.

This particular release I speak of is none other than the Split release by two bands named Valdur and Lighting Swords Of Death. Now, I have across the names of these two bands before during several searches for Black Metal from the States, but never have I visited the band’s official Myspace links and never have I given the music a listen, which is now something I indeed regret.

Lighting Swords Of Death(LSOD) as opposed to their split mates Valdur, execute their music in a more aggressive form. Atmospheric at times and at varied paces (Venter Of The Black Beast), LSOD’s music is characterized with fast tremolo picking, mid to fast paced tempos, great drum variation and a commendable vocal attack, adding up to a great crushing sound. The band have also blended ambient soundscapes during intervals also not forgetting the presumably improvised great solo work at the end of “Path to Chaos”, which altogether contribute to LSOD’s amazing role, on this release.

Moving onto the project I’ve been meaning to check out the most, Valdur. After a few minutes into the 10minute opener “Raven God Amongst Us”, I seriously, started to regret the fact of putting off listening to a few songs off the bands Myspace page, even more. Valdur, as opposed to LSOD’s role, executes a more atmospherically oriented Black Metal, instantly reminding me of Weakling, also a project from the US I have been listening to on repeat lately. Valdur’s vocalist Thor, after a few minutes into “Raven God…” executes a perfect clean vocal chant, which to me was of paramount importance in enhancing the atmosphere throughout this record and is very praiseworthy. Then comes “Chant of Battlelust”, where around 2:55 into the song, instantly reminded me of Wolves in the Throne Room, also from the States. Drum work by L.Sxusperion on this project should be greatly commended as he in particular along with Thor play a quite paramount role in carrying out the whole atmospheric spirit which bleeds all over this record. Epic riffage combined once again with Thor’s amazing clean vocal passages take over “Blodhevn/Vendetta” which leaves me with the closing track for the release “Spears Torrent”. Brilliant guitar work on the clean introductory passages during the first few minutes of the song, but Valdur does not waste time as they get back to what they do best.

All in all, I’m glad I finally got to feast my ears on this brilliant record. Great artwork, and Production quality overall, is in a quite great state for a release by two bands as such, muddy and atmospheric, which if not would ruin the whole aura around which this release orients. I’ve yet to review Valdur’s 2007 full length and hopefully give a listen to more of LSOD’s releases, which I sincerely hope are more great material similar to what I’ve just feasted upon, by the two projects. Recommended to all fans of the genre, and as it get’s my profane seal of approval, ladies and gents, from the United States of America, Valdur and Lighting Swords of Death.

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

Lightning Swords of Death
1.Invoke the Desolate One
2.Damnation Pentastrike
3.Venter of the Black Beast
4.Paths to Chaos

Valdur
5.Raven God Amongst Us
6.Chant of Battlelust
7.Blodhevn / Vendetta
8.Spears Torrent

Line-up

Lighting Swords of Death –
Roskva (Jeremy Stramaglio) – Guitar
Autarch (Farron Loathing) – Lead Vocals
Reverend Black – Bass
Thrudvang – Drums

Valdur –
Thor – Vocals, Guitars
William (Satan's Chainsaw) – Bass
Lord Sxuperion – Drums