Label: Running Wild Productions
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Length: 40:03
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Valfeanor is an atmospheric black metal band from Austria. Formed in 2005, they have released five albums and one EP. Today, I'm going to talk about their latest record, Saturn's Screeches, released last October via the Running Wild Productions label, available in digital and CD formats.
The album has a running time of 40:03 and a total of ten tracks. It is divided into three main sections: Saturn's Rings in five movements, Saturn's Screeches in two movements, and Saturn's Law in three movements. I really appreciate this concept, which is more commonly associated with classical music and grand symphonies. Overall, Saturn's Screeches navigates between atmospheric black metal, symphonic black metal, and ambient. Surges of intensity follow more ethereal passages, and the vocals alternate between powerful screams, high-pitched voices, and passages with clear, ceremonial singing. There are also subtle melodies in the background. It's an album (or rather a cosmic sound journey) that I don't regret listening to (I've listened to it twice, and I still want to put the record back on).
Among the highlights of the various tracks: right from the opening Saturn's Rings – Movement I – Corona Gelida, we are plunged into a cosmic soundscape charged with a heavy atmosphere. I particularly loved the performance from 3:01 onwards, when the drums take the lead, as well as the ending, which concludes with ritualistic singing. Saturn's Rings – Movement II – Iter is an ambient piece that allows the listener to fully grasp the cosmic atmosphere of the album. Saturn's Rings – Movement III – Shani Mahamantra continues in the same vein until 0:41, when the vocals bring a new dimension; from 1:41 onwards, the guitar melodies become more noticeable and very pleasant.
With Saturn's Rings – Movement IV – Iterata Interiora, we remain in direct continuity with the previous track: the fierce vocals return, supported by a heavy rhythm. The cosmic exploration continues with Saturn's Rings – Movement V – Quies Animae, which this time offers slightly faster rhythms. In my opinion, this track offers one of the best vocal performances on the album: ferocious vocals accompanied by ceremonial singing in the background. From 2:46 onwards, the guitars reveal captivating melodies, and from 3:24 onwards, powerful screams and frenzied rhythms erupt in a veritable frenzy.
Saturn's Screeches – Movement I – Susurrus adopts a different rhythm from the outset, carried by powerful vocals that take centre stage. Saturn's Screeches – Movement II – Passio Infinita continues in the same vein: the vocals dominate, oscillating between fast passages and quieter moments, always supported by the atmosphere created by the keyboard. I particularly enjoyed the whispering section starting at 3:32.
With Saturn's Law – Movement I – Abnegatis, we enter a new, more symphonic perspective of the work. What strikes me most is the vocal part that closes the piece. In Saturn's Law – Movement II – Fallitis, it is from 1:31 onwards that the vocals catch my attention, followed by a superb transition at 1:51. Finally, Saturn’s Law – Movement III – Eventus opens with an ambient atmosphere worthy of cosmic music, then the keyboard and vocals gradually take over. We think the track is going to end in the same atmosphere, until a sudden acceleration and vocal intensity burst forth at 2:21.
An album I recommend for people who want to discover a new sound experience.