VALIDOR (Heavy Metal – Greece) – Album review of “Full Triumphed” out February 2, 2022 via Symmetric Records)- Review for KICKASS FOREVER via Angels PR Worldwide Music Promotion #vaildor

Review written & submitted by Marian Nicolaou via Angels PR Worldwide Music Promotion

 

Hailing from Greece, VALIDOR proceed on with their epic journey with the release of their 4^th album, “Full Triumphed”, in February 2, 2022 through the Symmetric Records of Bob Katsionis. The band has a strong presence in the underground heavy metal scene releasing three studio albums, entitled “In Blood Battle”, “Dawn of the Avenger” and “Hail to the Fire”. Now, Odi “Thunderer” Toutounis, the singer, guitarist, songwriter and founder of VALIDOR, returns with 9 new tracks telling stories of brave heroes, demons and ‘80s culture legends.

For the purpose of better communication, I will start with some terminology. VALIDOR don’t play heavy metal, as some of you might think when listening to the album. They play Blood Metal. I am not sure what Blood Metal is exactly, but I am absolutely certain that this is what VALIDOR play. Let me explain.

When your sound is the musical equivalent of a battlefield, with riffs sounding like clanging swords, you can’t possibly be playing just epic/heavy metal. You need a genre to express that agrresiveness, that raw, unprocessed and unfiltered power of your music.

If you are reading this review and you have never listened to the VALIDOR’s sound, all these might sound a bit weird. Don’t worry, once you play the album, everything will make absolute sense.

I am confident that if Robert E. Howard was alive and decided to dress his stories with music, VALIDOR’s sound would be the perfect candidate to adorn the adventures of Conan. After all, what better genre other than the Blood Metal could support the tale of a barbarian warrior born amidst battle?

The “Full Triumphed” may not have an actual reference to Conan-though fitting, but has a song about “Robocop” (“Man of Steel”) and one about the ‘80s animation series, Silverhawks (“Silverhawks”). Particularly, the track “Silverhawks” has a very distinct Blind Guardian vibe with those fast, thrashy riffs.

Epic, huge riffs, a solid low end that carries the weight and sharp, melodic lead guitars and a galloping rhythm section concludes, a heavy, aggressive, raw and powerful heavy metal album. With influences from bands like Manowar- “Blood Metal Legions” is a clear example, Blind Guardian and Virgin Steele, the fourth work by VALIDOR is an unstoppable force of sound.

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