Valkyrie – Fear
Format: CD – LP – Digital
Label: Relapse Records
Release: 2020
Driven by brothers Jake and Pete Adams, VALKYRIE draws from pre-metal style to create a rich and earthy heavy rock sound. They formed in summer 2002 in Rockbridge County, Virginia as a three-piece consisting of vocalist/guitarist Jake Adams, bassist Eric Seaman, and drummer Luke Shafer.
In 2004 Jake’s brother Pete was introduced on second guitar and soon after, a five song demo was recorded at a local college radio station. Shafer soon departed and was replaced by Mike Hoke on drums and a new demo, Sunlight Shines, and a split 7″ with VOG were recorded. Seaman and Hoke parted ways with the band at the end of 2004 and were replaced by bassist Nick Crabill and drummer Nic McInturff (Napking, Stifling). This line-up recorded the eponymous debut album, which was released by Ric Bennett of Starchild’s Twin Earth Records.
In early 2006 VALKYRIE again parted ways with its rhythm section and recruited current bassist Will Barry-Rec (Hit by a Hearse, Accursed Dawn) and drummer Gary Isom (Spirit Caravan, Pentagram). This lineup played numerous festivals throughout the United States, including the final Emissions from the Monolith Fest in Austin, Texas, and the long-running Stoner Hands of Doom festival in Phoenix, Arizona. Isom and VALKYRIE parted ways in mid 2007 and they recruited veteran drummer Warren Hawkins (Big Dixie, Devil Take The Hindmost, Mass Sabbath).
In 2008, VALKYRIE released their second album, Man of Two Visions on the band’s own label, Noble Origin. Kreation Records, of Seattle, Washington, released both the S/T and Man of Two Visions on 12″ vinyl in 2007 and 2008. In July of 2010 Meteorcity Records re-released both the S/T and Man of Two Visions albums in CD format. In March of 2012, Alan Fary (Earthling, Lost at Sea) joined the band on bass.
In 2015, VALKYRIE released their Relapse Records debut album Shadows ! Jam packed with harmonized leads, rich solos and melodic, blues-based riffs, VALKYRIE sound like the perfect blend of American style doom rock bands like Pentagram or Spirit Caravan and classic hard rock like Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, and Deep Purple. Shadows is the perfect summer heavy rock record!
2000 x Black Standard Gram
300 x Beer with Bone White, Metallic Silver and Black Splatter Standard Gram *Relapse.com Exclusive*
100 x Metallic Silver, Bone White and Brown Tri Color Merge with Metallic Gold and Black Splatter Standard Gram *Relapse.com Exclusive*
100 x Clear (Not available to the public – Friends of band and label only)
Fast forward 5 years to 2020, Virginia heavy rockers VALKYRIE return with their anthemic, riff-driven 4th full-length album, ’Fear’! Their first new album in 5 years, Fear finds VALKYRIE sounding more progressive and diverse than ever before. Tracks such as “Feeling So Low”, “The Choice”, and “Evil Eye” showcase VALKYRIE expanding their sound, infusing their take on classic hard rock with a penchant for remarkable melodies and creative hooks.
Recorded at Earth Analog in Illinois, Fear showcases the tone-rich, organic songwriting process VALKYRIE honed in on over the course of their career. A warm analog sound permeates throughout each of the album’s 8 tracks, as blistering twin leads, soaring guitar harmonies by Pete and Jake Adams, poignant lyrics, and a relentless rhythm section result in a highly textured
and timeless collection of southern rock. With Fear, VALKYRIE take the next step in their evolution as one of the most creative and dynamic forces in the hard rock scene today.
Tracks:
10. Feeling so Low
02. Afraid to Live
03. Loveblind
04. The Choice
05. Fear and Sacrifice
06. Brings you Down
07. Evil Eye
08. Exasperator