Valravn are a Finnish black metal band and this is their second album.
Featuring a current/ex-member of Altar of Betelgeuze/Cardinals Folly, The Awakening contains 44 minutes of expressive black metal.
Valravn play their black metal cold and fierce. The music is traditional and grim, yet not overly so. The songs take advantage of a strong blackened sound that drips with serrated darkness, while having a shaded approach to atmosphere and mood that allows Valravn to shine with unholy light.
The music showcases a cultivated balance between icy aggression and melancholic feeling. The songs make good use of melodies that might be caked in frost, but are also sorrowful expressions of emotive colour. Valravn ably demonstrate their skilled songwriting throughout The Awakening. The songs are well-structured, with an understanding of dynamics and the need to carefully balance aggressive hostility with a more refined, mood-heavy approach.
There are many highlights across the album’s running time, but I’ll pick on the gradually building soundscape of The Insolent and the epic progressive ending to A Symphony of Horror as just two that I especially enjoy. Also, amongst the harsh screams of the vocalist I like that there are also occasionally death metal growls that sounds really good.
The Awakening is a very enjoyable and satisfying record. It’s a black metal album that’s steeped in old-school lore, yet twists it just enough with contemporary presence and passion that it doesn’t feel like a complete retread of old paths. Valravn’s songwriting and ability to craft compelling mood-focused music with an aggressive bite has made The Awakening a record that’s easy to keep returning to.
Very highly recommended for fans of underground gems.
Wonderbox Metal 