On May 12th in Europe and on May 13th in North America, Vallenfyre's second full-length, “Splinters”, will be released via Century Media Records. The simple, yet striking cover artwork was created by Brian D'Agosta, who previously drew a logo for Vallenfyre bassist Scoot's other band, Extinction of Mankind, as well as artwork for many other bands. For a first preview of “Splinters”, a video trailer featuring part of the album's opening track, "Scabs", can be viewed below.
"Vallenfyre was something I felt utterly compelled to do. It was almost like I didn't have a choice. I was told by a bereavement counselor that I should write down and vocalize my feelings. I did just that and then everything just seemed to take a natural course", is how Greg Mackintosh (vocals/lead guitars), best known as a founding member of long-running UK gothic metal pioneers Paradise Lost, describes the initial spark helping him to transform the anger and sadness ensuing the loss of his father into the death/doom/crust opus "A Fragile King" (2011).
While being the main songwriter in Paradise Lost, Greg also stepped up to being the front-man for Vallenfyre and sang for the first time, citing Karl Willetts (Bolt Thrower), Chuck Schuldiner (Death), Oscar Garcia (Nausea, Terrorizer), Pete Steele (Carnivore, Type O Negative) as influences. "A Fragile King" turned out to be a heartfelt, cathartic and therapeutic release, which now finds it continuation on the even more abrasive and extreme second full-length, “Splinters”.
Inspired by the likes of Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Autopsy, Antisect, Discharge, Nihilist, early Napalm Death, early Bathory, and Conflict, Vallenfyre digs deep into the roots of extreme music, yet due to Greg's infallible song-writing skills, as well as the organic and absolutely crushing sound courtesy of Kurt Ballou (Converge, Black Breath, Beastmilk), “Splinters” is far away from mere nostalgia.
Stay tuned for a full stream of “Splinters” first single, "Scabs", coming soon!
Line-up:
Greg Mackintosh (Paradise Lost) - Vocals and Lead Guitars
Hamish Glencross (My Dying Bride) - Rhythm and Lead Guitars
Scoot (Doom, Extinction of Mankind) - Bass
Adrian Erlandsson (At the Gates, Paradise Lost, The Haunted) - Drums
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