Review by JD on March 12, 2013.

I was sent a CD from Poland based band called Crimson Valley to do my little writing schtick on. Have to admit that I was expecting to have more extreme metal end of things to rattle my fillings with, as Poland has been coming to be known for its nasty yet very eclectic versions of extreme metal but lets just say that this Crimson Valley CD ended up being a refreshing turn of metallic fortunes for me... and showed me another side of the Polish Metal scene I had no thought about.

Taking from such bands Iron Maiden, Omen and Judas Priest... Crimson Valley plays old school metal with a slight tinging of Power Metal sort of like older Satavage. It sounds like all of the mentioned bands, and yet this Polish five piece have seem to find that perfect balancing act between sounding like their influences and being original. As hard as that sort of thing is to do, they have done it and with class.

Songs like the mighty Maiden inspired galloping melodies of 'Clan Of The Hammer' or going back to the album’s opening Omen styled 'Chariot Of War' shows and beyond - every track in fact perfectly illustrates that beautiful balance of originality and idolizing their inflences that ends up crafting their styles.

I love old school metal, especially when the band in question brings a fresh and new tilt to the time honoured style and ends up kicking my ass in the process. Old is new at that exact moment and that is a very good thing to have. If you lean to the old school or breaking into the more newer metal does not matter, this is a completely solid, extremely well played on and good album. It is a perfect CD to go into anyone’s metal collection and that is including all of the discriminating headbangers out there.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.2 out of 10