VALE is a Blackened Post-Metal band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, with one member. I believe this is their debut album, and it has five songs. "Parturition" is the first. The word means "the action of giving birth to young; childbirth." There is a slow setting of the stage. Birds chip in a warm spring day, and clean guitars come in, along with a note of grey. Harsh vocals pierce the veil, along with a heavier guitar presence. The vocals turn to gutturals, and a hasty sound develops. The sound swirls together until all the pieces are moving together, racing forward, but suddenly the storm clouds dissipate and we are again left with clear skies.

"Monadic" is a longer beast, clocking in at close to 14 minutes. Pretty piano notes dance above a bed of clean, solemn guitars. The build-up is slow, and very effective. It leaves the listener on their toes, waiting for what is coming next. Harsh vocals cut in like a surgeon's blade, while a steady lead guitar pattern develops. It builds until a plateau is reached, and then dies, and the tones that follow are both beautiful and sad at the same time. One last gasp however brings the song to life again, with horrid screams. "Sprigs" is a brief reprieve. Smooth acoustical guitars create an atmosphere of longing, and perhaps regrets. But they are not the kind that you dwell on forever.

"Carnation" begins with more smooth and melodic guitar tones. Again, there is a steady air of sadness here. Piano joins in, until a wave of death washes over the song with angry, dissonant guitars and bass. A carnation "embraces the ideas of fascination, distinction and love. The love aspect of carnation meaning includes everything from a mother's devoted love to a suitor's passion for his bride." "Mother" closes the album, and I am sensing a theme. More on that later. Pretty guitar chords open the song, followed by charming and catchy keyboards. The combination of the two is so beautiful, I pause for a few moments, remembering my own mother and her untimely passing. The memory of her always puts a smile on my face, even though it still hurts.

Although much of the album is shrouded in mystery, the one central theme I can garner from the album is a celebration of life, and the matriarchy, and even macho men would find this album soothing on a number of levels, if they dig deep enough to uncover the meaning. Although the harsh vocals keep the album rooted in Black Metal, many of the prettier tones move the album into the light. I must admit it was the melodic tones that drew me into this tale, and kept my interest throughout.