Validor is an Epic/Heavy Metal band from Greece. They also have some Folk and many Power Metal influences in their music. The band is active since 2005 at first under the name Epic Storm until 2008 and as Validor since then. Since 2012 Validor is a one-man band with session members.

“In Blood In Battle” was initially released in 2011 and what we have here is a re-recording and re-issue of the album. The band kept the original 2011 vocals and solos to preserve some of the album’s original atmosphere and re-recorded the rest of the album. The album in terms of production is at very high levels since Bob Katsionis (Symmetry Studio/Symmetric Records) was behind the console.

In terms of music, “In Blood In Battle” is a mix of traditional heavy metal with epic metal as we learned it from bands like Warlord, Manowar, Virgin Steele, Omen, Brocas Helm, Heavy Load and Manilla Road. This is all about traditional heavy metal with a really big dose of epic dimension in it. To some this mix may sound like way too old-fashioned, but in this case it isn’t. The production helps a lot in this because it brings a fresh-air to the style.

While spinning the album you will find out some speed metal passages in that will remind you of bands like Running Wild and Iced Earth. The guitar melodies are heavy and monolithic at times, but remain epic throughout the album.

Standout songs for me would be the opening track “The Riddle of Steel”, “Stealer of Souls” for which the band released an official lyric video, “Through the Storm”, “Wrath of Steel” and the same titled “In Blood in Battle”, but the whole album has a very nice flow and any heavy metal or epic metal fan will surely have to consider listening the album as a whole.

Valeria Campagnale.