THE BEAST

Vhäldemar - Straight to Hell - Review And Front Page Feature At Zware Metalen! Check it out at this link: https://zwaremetalen.com/albumrecensies/vhaldemar-straight-to-hell

For fans of Manowar , Judas Priest and Running Wild . Pack it up, put a ribbon on it and slide this way! Straight to Hell is the sixth album by the Spanish band Vhäldemar . The band started out as an overly exaggerated power metal band, with forgettable musical interludes. Gradually a more metallic approach came. It is not very different from any other Iberian metal band.
No surprises on Straight to Hell either. A solid and solid album from front to back. It's easy on the ear power metal with here and there some harmony vocals and shredding solos. In this genre you have so many bands that do this trick that you have to be able to convince the world. Vhäldemar doesn't really make an effort to do that. The music is well executed, but the feeling after listening remains that you have listened to a fairly average record.

The sound is quite stripped, like Iron Fire 's last two albums . The aggression is still there and it is particularly evident in the title track. However, the band neglects to use epics here and instead turns to heavy metal. This keeps the record sounding flat without scoring efficiently enough. Another guitar line in the background brings melody, but nothing to write home about. Fear is a pop / rock song that should have been left out. This is so different that it is more of a bonus track. The last song from the record Old King's Visions (Part VI)is the most memorable yet. There is clearly more time in the song to get the riffs and drums to work together. The vocalist responds by making his most appropriate contribution.
In itself a reasonable record, which deserves a listen if you are a fan of the mentioned bands. In fact, I think a number of people can certainly get their gram here. The musicians play their instruments fine, but the dullness of this record dilutes the power that could lie in it. Perhaps the recipe has been used too often and it is getting more and more difficult to bake something decent. Perhaps the band lacks distinctive character. In summary: Not catchy enough for a power metal record, but solid and with a nice moment here and there. Straight to Hell is fun to listen to, but it is certainly not here to stay.
Score:
72/100

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“ Death To The Wizard !” is the new video clip of the Spanish Heavy Metal band VHÄLDEMAR , their 6th album " Straight to Hell ", which will be released on October 6th, 2020 on CD, 12"LP and Cassette formats through Fighter Records , MDD Records in G/A/S and Red Rivet Records in Japan.

You can watch the video here:

Production of "Straight to Hell" took place at the Chromaticity Studios of the band's guitarist and producer Pedro J. Monge and cover design has been made by Darkgrove (Manowar, Battle Beast, Testament ...)

BIOGRAPHY
Vhäldemar was born in the late 90s in Bizkaia, when guitarist Pedro J. Monge decided to create a Heavy Metal band together with singer and guitarist Carlos Escudero.
In June 2001 they recorded a demo that served to sign with Arise Records, with whom they released their debut album, "Fight to the End", in March 2002. This album was released throughout Europe, Japan, Russia, North and South America. .

At the end of 2003 VHÄLDEMAR publishes his second album, "I Made my Own Hell", again with Arise Records
In 2007 they performed at the Bilbao BBK Live Festival and released their third album “Metal of the World”. In August 2012 they performed at the Leyendas del Rock Festival and at the Ripollet Rock Festival.

"Shadows of Combat" their fourth album is released in 2013
In 2017 they signed a contract with Fighter Records for several albums, the first release was the reissue of their first two albums "Fight to the End" ('02) and "I Made my Own Hell" ('03) on a double CD, with 5 bonus tracks and totally remastered sound that was released on April 21, 2017.

On May 4, they released the digipack EP entitled “Old King's Visions” with 5 songs that serve as a preview of their new album "Against All Kings" which is released in November 2017 through Fighter Records worldwide and RRR. in Japan.

In 2018 Fighter Records reissues the album "Shadows Of Combat"
In 2019 Fighter Records reissues the album "Metal Of The World"
The presentation tour of the album "Against All Kings" has taken them during 2018 - 2019 to perform 42 concerts in Spain, Japan, Russia, Holland and France.

Vhäldemar have been present at national festivals such as Resurrection Fest, Leyendas Del Rock, Z Live, Atalaya Rock Fest, Metal Norte, Galia Metal Fest, Dimetal ...

VHÄLDEMAR are:
Carlos Escudero - Voice

Pedro J. Monge - Guitar

Raúl Serrano - Bass

Jandro - Drums

Jonkol Tera - Keyboards

Links:

https://www.vhaldemar.net/
https://www.facebook.com/VhaldemarOficial