THE JUNGLE GUY (6/10)

Since the 70s, the Italian Metal scene stayed too quiet, and with exception of Black Thrashers from BULLDOZER, no relevant name appeared on the Pope's land for a long time, until a blasting raid on the 90s, when RHAPSODY OF FIRE (former RHAPSODY) spearheading a new time on the country, and since then, Italia became a birthplace for new names in all kinds of Metal, like ELVENKING, IBRIDOMA, MALFEITOR, ABORYM, and now, it's time for quartet WALKYRYA show their value with their debut full length, 'End Line...', after two demo CDs.

Their work is a powerful and strong Heavy Metal as traditional as possible, with some melodic touches here and there, with powerful guitar riffs, well worked out rhythmic basis (bass and drums gave a very strong weight to their work), and good vocals (sometimes they really don't fit to band's music, but on the great part of the music, they're good), but the band's great merit is to act as a solid unity, putting aside some virtuous aspects and focusing on music as a whole.

The musical production could be better, for some aspects of the instruments' sound are somewhat 'hollow' and too raw, especially the guitar sound suffered, but we must have in mind: it's an independent work, done with the band member's money and efforts, and this must be taken into account.

Besides all difficulties, WALKYRYA shows that it can really be a good name in the future, especially for tracks like "Kingcrow" (hear the weight of the bass, as well as the good riffs and the very good chorus), the heavy weight "Back To Reason" (in this, the vocals really fit), the beautiful and heavy mid-ballad "End Line.." (the vocals on heavy parts are not so good. The high tunes really must be taken aside), "In Memoria" with its chorus singed in Italian, and their own version for MOTÖRHEAD's "Ace of Spades" (The vocals don't fit again, trying to sing in a more aggressive and low tune).

The band does nothing new, as well as their vocalist really needs to improve his work. Doing this, they can really evolve to be a good name on Italian scene, but for now, it's a good release, nothing more and nothing less this.

MARY OREN-SPUNELLI (6/10)

Fortunately, I have a husband that can read / speak Italian, otherwise, I never would have known what the bio said. (I can speak a little Italian, but not too much.) Unfortunately, even once translated, in my opinion the bio was not very informative. (I really should just give up on bios all together, I think.) But what I can initially tell you about WALKYRYA is that they are from Italy (obviously) and they have three releases, in which a very long time passed in between each one (2003, 2007 and now in 2013). Upon listening to this, I have to wonder why it took them so long to make this album.

The opening track, "The Ride Of The Walkyrya" is an excerpt of what many of us know more commonly as "Ride (or "Flight") of the Valkyries". (Composed by Richard Wagner and is a very exciting musical work, now ruined by being an entry theme song for a WWE pro-wrestler. Nothing is sacred anymore).

The first official song is "Hard Over". Here we have a nice retro sounding classic metal sound. It fits somewhere in the Heavy / Power Metal to Hard Rock genre. I can't say I love the vocals, but they're not bad and are certainly fitting for the band's song style. While parts of this song kind of amused me, I can still appreciate the nostalgic, back-to-the 1980s feel it presents. Indeed, this would have been quintessential party music back in the day.

I really like the music, in particular the drums and bass that kick off "King Crow", which is a fast-action paced song all around. "Back To Reason" is my favorite track with its catchy riffs and some interesting almost Native American sounding chanting in it. I'm trying to decide who the vocals of Vince Santopietro most remind me of. I'm thinking a weird mix of Dave Mustaine, Lizzy Borden and Jon Oliva, if you can fathom that. Musically, there are elements of bands like W.A.S.P. and MOTLEY CRUE. WALKYRYA is a bit heavier than the aforementioned, but not by too much. That's not necessarily a bad thing though. What matters is an open mind and diverse musical taste. (I personally love W.A.S.P. and old-era MOTLEY CRUE and the like.)

As for the next song, "End Line...", it is very sad that this is the title track. This is easily my least favorite song on the album and if I never hear it again, it will be too soon. It begins like a slow ballad and I think it is a woman singing. (I say "I think" because there is no mention of a guest vocalist in the bio and I don't have a physical copy of the CD to be able to read the credits.) I certainly hope this isn't Santopietro somehow manipulating his voice. If so, I don't know whether to be scared or impressed. Anyway, this person's voice is just awful and why they chose her to sing on this album, especially for the title track, is beyond my comprehension. Anyway, I am pretty sure this is a woman singing, but either way...it's just terrible. Really.

"In Memoria" starts off slow and ballad-esque as well and I was afraid I'd be subjected to that wretched above mentioned vocalist again. Luckily it was undeniably Santopietro and this time singing in his native Italian tongue. "Betrayed" definitely brings to mind Jon Oliva in the older SAVATAGE days. Not as good, mind you. But there is a comparison to be found here.  Last, we have a cover of MOTORHEAD's "Ace of Spades". Santopietro (at least I assume it is still him) uses growly mush-mouthed vocals, perhaps in his own mind to honor Lemmy. I don't know. Not the best cover I've heard, but certainly not the worst either. This MOTORHEAD cover is easily the heaviest track on this CD.

All in all, WALKYRYA's "End Line..." album is far from amazing and original. Yet it still has it's enjoyable and even fun moments and some nice sing-a-long parts that can carry you back to the days when bands like IRON MAIDEN, SLAYER and MOTLEY CRUE were all considered just Heavy Metal and that was acceptable.