Some bands are not afraid to address the current state of affairs and everything that comes with it. WASTELAND VALLEY have released their third album and the title says it all, as it is about "The Pandemic", or, as we know it, Covid-19. Yes, this really is a touchy subject, but as we all have been affected by it in one way or another, it is something we as listeners all can relate to. As WASTELAND VALLEY hail from Steinkjer in the middle of Norway, they also have seen and heard a lot of the difficult regulations, decisions and consequences for themselves. So, they can describe all they have experienced themselves in quite an elaborate way. This is one achievement they convincingly accomplished.

"The Pandemic" not only is a proper concept album, it is also a step away from the normal way they write their songs. Usually, they do this as a band, but now everything has been penned and created by drummer Espen Gotvasli. And I have to say that he has done himself extremely proud. The songs are all outstanding. When "The Pandemic Overture" starts, you can't help but to be in awe of what you can be expecting during the 39 minutes that WASTELAND VALLEY deliver their music that is very well put together. The songs really do tell the story in a clear but direct way. It might not be a very happy tale, but the realism is emanating from very side and the questions that every living person has concerning this is being addressed.

Unfortunately, the score for the album is a lot less than I would have liked to give it, and that is purely down to the poor production. Yes, for such a pack of brilliant songs the sound is just poor. Plain and simple. The drums and vocals are too high in the mix, whilst the guitars are too low. Plus, the sound of the guitars is too meagre and too shallow. On top of that I feel that although Tor Erik Simensen has quite a good voice, he hasn't gotten the best out of his singing. They either should have pushed him harder, or accept some help in making the most of the lyrical content of "The Pandemic". I can't help but feel that with an outstanding sound this would have been one of the best concept albums of the last decade. Now it's just a very nice one. And no, even the orchestral bits that are used now and again can't save WASTELAND VALLEY. Pity.