Valkyrja [Sweden]
The Antagonist’s Fire
2013
Full Length
World Terror Committee
Genre: Black Metal
After almost three years since the release of their previous opus Contamination, Valkyrja this year returns with their third full length effort, The Antagonist’s Fire. Featuring members from outfits such as Ondskapt and Diabolical, both rather prominent bands in their own rights in their respective genres, The Antagonist’s Fire promises to be quite a ride for fans of Swedish extremity.
The album kicks off with some rather mid-paced moments with Betrayal Incarnate, setting up the mood and atmosphere for the album. But the band doesn’t take too long to get things heated up, and as soon as the first blasting of Jocke hit the listener, one quickly draws comparisons with fellow Swedes Watain, especially in the riffing style and that slight Norwegian leaning in the riffing of S.W. One also can’t help but notice the similarity in A.L.’s gruff growls and that of Erik, and this serves to only strengthen the comparison to Watain.
Heavy metal influences in black metal seem to be getting increasingly common these days in Swedish black metal, what with the recent efforts of Watain and Acrimonious, and Valkyrja with The Antagonist’s Fire certainly sits comfortably with these bands as well. Apart from the various instrumentation that results in these comparisons, the way that the songs are structured on The Antagonist’s Fire and the various elements that are included as well all point towards a more melodic form of black metal. This especially so with the soaring leads and the rather melodic trem-picked sections that S.W. engages in throughout the album. Also, for the most part of the album, rather than the speedy and chaotic style that Dark Funeral or Marduk engage in, Valkyrja chooses a mid-pace, focussing on the atmosphere that is created in the process.
While Watain‘s recent effort in the form of The Wild Hunt failed to really capture my attention (with my favourite still being their previous Lawless Darkness), The Antagonist’s Fire certainly more than hits the spot, and provides listeners with another face of Swedish black metal.
If you like what you're hearing please support the band by buying this album. The fans are the people who keep the band alive and kicking.
