Rating; 8.5/10
Release: 20 July 2018
Label: Hellbone Records

Everybody should have the utmost respect for multi instrumentalists. Most people in the world don’t master any instrument. To be able to sing, play guitar, bass, drums or keyboards on a high level requires a lot of skill, practice and stamina. To be able to play all these instruments on a professional level is truly amazing. And this is exactly what one man project Bloodshed Walhalla does. On top of this, the man masters clean as well as harsh vocals. This one man being Drakhen, which I suspect is not his real name. Fifth full length album from this Italian all-rounder who is very clear on his main influences. These are Moonsorrow and in particular Bathory in their Viking period. Bloodshed Walhalla does not copy these bands though. He put his own stamp on things.

Only four songs and yet over an hour of play. It doesn’t take a mathematician to understand we are talking long pieces. Shortest one is over 12 minutes, longest almost 28 minutes. A big task to keep your listeners fascinated. I have listened to the album in various ways. In the background and with full attention. Logically when paying full attention you can recognize better that there is a lot going on. Each song tells its own story. It reads like a book and feels like a movie. If that makes sense. On the other hand, while having the album playing in the background, you may find yourself forgetting that there is music playing at all. So, if you don’t really listen to the structures, you may find them a bit tedious. Mostly because the overall tempo is mid paced. On full volume however, allowing the music to take you to places far far away, it is epic. Yes, a much overused word, but very, very appropriate in regard to this album.

No use discussing the separate songs. The quality, structure, intensity are the same on each song. That’s not saying they don’t differ from each other. Last song ‘For my God’ for instance is the ultimate journey, where the shorter (!) songs have a somewhat more traditional Viking feel.

Bloodshed Walhalla is an amazing artist. Anyone who has ever listened to Bathory will thoroughly enjoy this album. To make an even bigger impact, some more variety in speed and intensity would be welcome. That is not a complaint. It’s an invitation and a wish.

Tracklist

1. Ragnarok 13:50
2. My Mother Earth 12:08
3. Like Your Son 12:07
4. For My God 27:45