I got a bunch of LMP albums for two Euros a piece, because the label's Finnish distributor had gone bankrupt. I picked nearly every album available, and of course there lies a pitfall in such action. There was a load of crap in the bunch I got, without any surprise, but also a few nice treats. Valley's Eve was one of them. 'Deception of Pain' is already this German band's third album to date, but I only knew the name from some occasion.

"Aggressive power metal" reads the sticker on the jewelcase. These label depictions are pretty much deceptive, and so it is this time as well. Well, power metal sells, but so does good music anyway, so no need for this kind of marketing trick.

Valley's Eve play heavy metal, dark and powerful way. The lyrics are based on true stories of peoples who tried to kill themselves, but failed. The music and at times poetic lyrics fit together very well. Rough, heavy riffage from heavy metal to almost thrashy stuff, exuberant melodies, heavy rhythm section, calmer pieces and individual vocals. Thrashier bits remind me of Brainstorm, some darker and calmer things of Evergrey, and heavier stuff of Blaze, just to give some hints about the music of Valley's Eve. Vocals follow the emotions and the moods of the songs nicely. The vocalist Roberto Dimitri Liapakis (also in Mystic Prophecy) bears pretty unique voice, which isn't that powerful on this album, but stays in the barriers of singer's capacities. I like his calmer voice, definitely. Synths are used only as background support.

The album is solid, but a bit too long. At first it felt like it was all made out of same stuff, but it is surprisingly varying in a long run. Otherwise good 'Kingdom of Pain's chorus is repetition from earlier songs, and this is the first point where it feels like the band ran out of ideas. Thankfully this doesn't happen immediately on the next few songs, but on 'Open the Gates' again. I mean, a very similar chorus again in otherwise good song! Well, shit happens. One thing that livens up a bit bogged down music is good guitar solos from Frank Pané. The album sounds live. There's not much studio trickery here, aside from multiple vocal tracks. At times it sounds a bit too stripped down. Surely, this sounds very punchy and no element is left in the background.

Down-to-earth heavy metal is what 'Deception of Pain' is all about. It is bound to catch ears of any heavy metal maniac, so pay attention. And give it some time, when you get your hands on it, please. Maybe a tad more variation next time around?! Solid as rock, but a bit too solid rock, if you understand my meaning...

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/26/2008 22:10