Interview by Kris Peters
In just ten short years Melbourne musical powerhouse Valhalore have entrenched themselves as a vital cog in the growing Australian music industry, their unique blending of melodic death metal with power and symphonic elements - infused with folk influences - has resonated with audiences both domestically and abroad.
Over the years they have toured with the likes of Alestorm, Arch Enemy, Blind Guardian and HammerFall, winning over legions of fans along the way with their attitude and work ethic. With the release of their sophomore album Beyond The Stars on April 11, Valhalore look set to expand their presence even more with a sound capable of transcending genres and sweeping all in its path.
HEAVY spoke with frontman Lachlan Neate and guitarist Anthony Willis to get more details. We start by asking how they are feeling about the album release.
"Absolutely thrilled," Neate beamed. "After waiting four years to release this music, it's pretty surreal that we're finally near the finish line."
We ask the guys to dive deeper into Beyond The Stars musically.
"In terms of the themes of the album, it describes a person's journey from the beginning of their life to the end," Willis explained. "Each song deals with the different highs and lows, ups and downs, different emotions that one would experience throughout their life. And each song represents those different moments. Then at the end of the album, the final song really deals with what happens to you after we die, and can we become something greater than ourselves?
So in that regard, the album is a bit of a concept album, and it's cyclic. Each of the songs that we have written pertains to this journey of someone's life experiences."
In the full interview, Lachlan and Anthony further explained that Beyond The Stars is a concept piece that reflects the emotional journey of a person's life, shaped significantly by the band's experiences during the pandemic.
Anthony emphasized the importance of the album's track listing for creating a cohesive listening experience, while Lachlan noted that the writing process involved contributions from all six band members and the producer, marking a shift from their previous solo work. This collaborative effort has allowed the band to develop a unique sound that integrates diverse influences, enhancing their musical identity.
Valhalore plan to promote the album with a series of four theatrical shows in May, starting in Sydney and Melbourne, where they will perform most of the new material alongside older songs. Lachlan expressed excitement about the production-heavy nature of the performances, aiming to provide an engaging experience for fans and more.
Get Beyond The Stars here: https://valhalore.rpm.link/beyondpr
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