Valkyrie’s Fire – Ascension

Valkyrie’s Fire
Ascension
Label: Eclipse Records
Out: November 8^th, 2024
Playing time: 22:07

Nashville, the capital of the US state of Tennessee, is actually known as the centre of commercial Country music. And is therefore also known as ‘Music City’. But the range of music offered by this metropolis is much more diverse. Valkyrie’s Fire, for example, play Symphonic Power Metal. And they have been doing so since 2020, when bassist Dave Hale started the project. He was gradually able to recruit more musicians until the line-up was complete in 2023. Nightwish, Epica, Nocturna, Tarja Turunen, and Ad Infinitum are cited as influences. The debut EP ‘Ascension’ will be released in November.

‘Ride Of The Valkyrie’ starts with a short guitar intro before a big epic Metal sound kicks in. Heavy riffs and driving drums dominate. The vocal duo of Bettie Floyd and Adam Sanders harmonise very well with each other. Bettie’s clear soprano is particularly convincing.  And later a strong guitar solo. Even ‘The Maiden’ sounds very epic, with computer-recorded keys. However, these are discreetly integrated into the overall sound. Once again there is a guitar solo as the crowning glory. This is followed by the contemplative ballad ‘Empty’, which is introduced by an electric piano. Later, keyboard carpets provide epicenes. And the singer shows her fragile side, leaving the treble range in the direction of mezzo-soprano. This solo singing allows her to showcase her vocal diversity. Therefore, ‘Nectar Of The Gods’ starts with a short drum passage. And the drums also drive the song forward later on. Adam Sanders makes his solo appearance here. Both singers perform the final song ‘Warrior Of The Night’ together again. The synth strings, guitar and drums set a fairly high tempo.

Valkyrie’s Fire show how Symphonic Power Metal should sound nowadays. Of course, there is a lot of epic bombast to be heard. But the basic orientation is clearly melodic and punchy Power Metal. Singer Bettie Floyd shines with a wide vocal range. And on ‘Ascension’, the musicians prove that it doesn’t always have to be the well-known interplay of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Vocal partner Adam Sanders has a clear, powerful Rock voice. And each of the five songs features a guitar solo as a highlight.

Valkyrie’s Fire – Warrior Of The Night: https://youtu.be/RY55RhTgo9g?si=dymIRTtH2jgmZYsy

Lineup:

Bettie Floyd – Vocals
Adam Sanders – Vocals
Joey Grimaldi – Guitar
Ryan Metroka – Drums
Dave Hale – Bass

Track list:

• Ride Of The Valkyrie
• The Maiden
• Empty
• Nectar Of The Gods
• Warrior Of The Night