'Grimoire'
It has been four years
since Sweden's V▲LH▲LL released their debut album 'Leaning On
Shadows', and in that time they've kept busy releasing a remix
companion and two further EPs that have continued to diversify and
experiment with their sound. 2018 sees the release of their
sophomoric effort 'Grimoire'; a fitting title given their penchant
for incorporating witch house and neofolk influences into their
music.
It's easy to hear the
band's influences in their music, but the way in which they combine
them more than surpasses the sum of it's parts. Witch house, neofolk,
darkwave, electro, and even a few electro-pop elements all combine
into a heady witches brew that balances the modern and the arcane.
Tracks such as 'Bonetrees', 'Dead Waves', 'Lilies For Belial',
'Ormen's Offer', and 'Aeons Unveiled' continue to develop those
familiar aspects of the band's sound with the distorted male vocals
countered by the melodic feminine tones, and the left-field use of
rhythms and analogue electronics.
The band still throw a
few curve balls as well with the dark but pop-flavoured title track,
the hypnotic swing of 'Ruins Of Vanaland', the trip-hop influenced
'The Hunt', and the instrumental closer 'Niðingrdans' with it's most
overtly witch house vibes on the album. But it's the addition of the
violin in particular on 'Ormen's Offer', courtesy of Jessica
Pimentel, that gives the album it's most magically-infused moment.
The band's production
has always been very good on every release and even at the band's
most experimental on 'Grimoire' there is an accessibility that
counterbalances everything nicely. There is always something tangible
underneath every song that holds it together and keeps the focus.
This is another strong release from V▲LH▲LL that shows off their finest songwriting so far. Hypnotic and magical their blending of genres and incorporating of occult and mythological themes creates a winning combination. With 'Grimoire' they have summoned something very special .
This is another strong release from V▲LH▲LL that shows off their finest songwriting so far. Hypnotic and magical their blending of genres and incorporating of occult and mythological themes creates a winning combination. With 'Grimoire' they have summoned something very special .
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