Athens, GREECE

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It’s one of these times when the title of an album speaks for itself. “In Blood In Battle”! What more do you need to “hear” the album by the title? Relentless, epic metal full of power, sword, energy, battlefields of blood, glory and pride, soul of man and hymns for the ancient ones!

Validor were formed in 2005 in a land of old myths, wars and mystery, Greece.

“In Blood In Battle” is the band’s debut that dates back in 2011. Here it is re-issued and partially re-recorded to bring forth the necessary power and tension while keeping the older feeling of the recording alive and present since the original vocals and solos are kept. There has been a great job done by both the band and their producer the well known from his time in Firewind with Gus G. (ex-Ozzy Osbourne), Bob Katsionis. The album has been really refreshed and gained in power.

The melodies of the album are definitely not in fashion, nor do they appeal to the modern metallers. But, that’s not what Validor wanted in any case. Like a war machine they appeal to the traditional heavy metal and epic heavy metal audience.

Validor is sincere and their heavy metal is solid, ageless and timeless.

At songs like “Through the Storm” they add folk touches to their overall Manowar-tribute style. In other songs you can hear their influence from bands like Manilla Road (especially of their first albums), Battlerage (Chile), Holy Martyr (Italy) and co-patriots from Greece Battleroar.

The lead guitars performed by Bob Katsionis have the required for the style glorious performance with skillful playing and many techniques, while the backing keyboards (performed also by Bob) have the certain 80’s heavy metal sound being a bit nostalgic. The vocals of Odi “The Thunderer” are powerful, glorious and have an inner strength.

The album is a full experience and it would be pointless to focus on “standout” tracks. Almost a decade after its first release (2011), “In Blood In Battle” re-surfaces in a new 2020 edition to let the magic of the 80’s epic/heavy metal come back again!