THE BEAST

Album Review: Bloody Valkyria – Kingdom in Fire
Label: Northern Silence Productions
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Genre: Epic / Melodic Black Metal
Country: Finland

Finnish black metal project Bloody Valkyria emerges with a stunning debut album, Kingdom in Fire, delivering a grand, atmospheric journey through epic, melodic soundscapes. The album, crafted entirely by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jere Kervinen, showcases an ambitious and immersive blend of black metal, spanning a total of 48 minutes across six monumental tracks.

Bloody Valkyria expertly blends the raw, icy aggression of black metal with melodic and epic elements that create an otherworldly atmosphere. The opening track, "Flames Upon a Bridge (Kingdom in Fire pt.1)", sets the tone with its sprawling 12-minute runtime, taking listeners on an intense journey filled with soaring melodies, blistering tremolo-picked riffs, and haunting vocals. The song builds tension and drama with sweeping compositions that ebb and flow between moments of calm melancholy and furious, driving black metal.

Following this epic opener, "Tears of Niniel" offers a more concise, yet equally emotive experience. Clocking in at just 3:34, the track showcases Kervinen's ability to weave raw, melancholic melodies within a shorter framework, offering a beautiful contrast to the longer compositions that dominate the album.

The second chapter of the titular series, "Thousand Caves in Blood (Kingdom in Fire pt.2)", pushes the boundaries of epic black metal even further, stretching nearly 13 minutes. Here, Kervinen layers intricate, atmospheric guitar work over rhythmic galloping beats, pulling the listener into a dark, battle-scarred landscape. The track’s dynamic shifts between soaring melody and crushing heaviness encapsulate the heart of Kingdom in Fire, painting vivid, cinematic imagery through its melodies and structure.

Melian's Lament provides a brief, sorrowful interlude at just under three minutes, offering a haunting respite before "Burning Citadel (Kingdom in Fire pt.3)", the album's longest track at over 14 minutes. This piece is the album’s most monumental, brimming with intensity as it weaves through blazing riffs, sweeping orchestral flourishes, and fierce growls. It's a climactic pinnacle that encapsulates the grandiosity and emotion that defines Bloody Valkyria's sound.

The album closes with Timeless Echo, a short but poignant instrumental track that leaves the listener with a sense of reflection and finality, echoing the themes of loss and destruction woven throughout the album.

The production, handled entirely by Kervinen at Moonless Home Studio, is impressive. The mixing allows for clarity in the dense layers of instrumentation, while maintaining the raw, unpolished edge that black metal purists will appreciate. The album strikes a perfect balance between epic grandeur and gritty aggression.

Bloody Valkyria’s Kingdom in Fire is a powerful debut, capturing the essence of epic, melodic black metal while pushing the genre into new, atmospheric realms. Jere Kervinen’s work as a one-man band is nothing short of remarkable, showcasing not only technical prowess but also a deep understanding of composition and emotion. Fans of bands like Summoning, Emperor, and early Dimmu Borgir will find themselves entranced by the sprawling landscapes and dark beauty of Kingdom in Fire.

Social Links:
https://bloodyvalkyria.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556958225244