"By now the name VALDRIN is known to many ears. The melodic black metal band from Ohio has been constantly rising in the underground for over a decade now, gathering acclaim across the board thanks to its unique narrative approach, singing the deeds of Valdrin Ausadjur. Still, it is not known to many that the first studio album, the first chapter is somewhat of a lost record. The renewed collaboration between VALDRIN and Avantgarde Music brings forth the first proper edition of "Beyond the Forest," scheduled for release on March 27th, 2026, just in time for the band's first European tour ever. VALDRIN very first effort, now made available on CD and double LP with a brand-new cover art by long-time collaborator Lucas Ruggieri and a dedicated vinyl mastering by Tim Yatras tells the first steps of a hero."

"A Drain in the River" is first…a short introduction consisting of howling winds, ominous bells, and creepy, frightening piano and organ notes. The title track is longest, at over ten minutes. Out of the gate, it's fast, aggressive, and intense. It slows eventually, but the harrowing feeling in the song doesn't lessen. The whispers and acoustic guitars in the mid-section however are a bit calming, but in a deceptive way, because you can hear the storm brewing with thunder. "Serpent Willow" is an energetic blast of intensity, akin to the band stomping on the gas pedal and not letting up. "Impaled Visions Breed with the Vines" is just a little slower, but the wall of guitars, pounding drums, and harsh vocal screams keep the album as aggressive as ever. There are also dual harmonic leads here, harkening back to the NWOBHM…this band has some tricks up their sleeve.

"Calling to the Canidae Hordes" is another blast of pure aggression, but there is also some complex guitar runs. It has all of the aggressiveness of Black Metal but is tinged with classic heavy metal. "Through the Catacombs" is like a journey past the black gates after you die. Hell fire rages, and all you can hear are tortured screams. Suddenly, the cold reality hits you: you will spend eternity there. Again, there are some really nice guitar runs here. "Darkness as Black as Evil" is a slow, dark crawl, through a cold and wet dungeon floor. There are creepy bell strikes, eerie guitar effects, and vocals that push the word intensity to their limit. "Battles in the Medieval Sky" is aggression dialed up to 11, and it's marked again with great guitar work. When you think of Black Metal, the guitars are usually thick and dense, but here, they breathe.

"Forgotten Souls" is the final cut, and it's a storm of fire and brimstone in Hell. Flames lick at your feel, the heat is overwhelming, and there is no end to the torture. Overall, this was an excellent album, and Black Metal has never been so rich, full, and even complex. You can tell that the band are excellent musicians, evidenced by their propensity to work outside of some of the genre boundaries, while maintaining the traditions that fans have come to expect.