Metalcatto
Why do I do this to myself? Reviewing more Power Metal albums that aren’t for me at all. Well, Elyna is still sorting things out, so someone has to do the dirty job. Yet, Valkyrie’s Fire came to me with no fuss, except for having a solid label. That’s why Out of Darkness seemed destined to not impress me at all. You can see how I’m setting this up for a surprise, right? Or maybe not. Stay put.
Alright, yes, this ended up being far more Prog than I expected. Sure, at the start Out of Darkness seemed like a Power Metal 90s nostalgia trip, but as it went forward, its complexity increased. We end up with a full soap opera here, and though it has some corny moments, most of the runtime is ruled by spectacular arrangements. Saying it’s epic is an understatement. The layers build upon each other, the dynamics shift constantly, and the whole thing feels like a theatrical production rather than just a metal album. It’s ambitious, and for the most part, it actually lands.
There’s a lot to dissect here. We have several vocalists doing very different things—it feels like 2000s Nightwish. However, the guitar work here is amazing, to say the least. Not only do the riffs hit all the right places, but the guitar solos are simply well-written. It wasn’t supposed to be this good, you know? But what can I do if all these bombastic segments do amount to something? There are a few things I’ll complain about, as usual, though.
Out of Darkness is freaking long—like Moby Dick-long. It’s pretty enjoyable and offers enough variation, but you do need a decent level of endurance because no track here takes the easy way. They all take their time to happen, and though it mostly pays off, you’ll need a toilet break in the middle. The album does get more calm by the end, but by then you’ll be absolutely exhausted or fully in love. There’ll be no middle ground here. You’re either bought in or checked out by the final track.
No, Valkyrie’s Fire isn’t from the Netherlands, Germany, or even Sweden. The band is from freaking Nashville. Can you believe that? Me neither. But that doesn’t matter, because these guys have nothing to envy from the European OGs. They have the potential to impress even Power Metal haters like me. Maybe I should keep looking into these weird promos after all. If more records like Out of Darkness are hiding in plain sight, then the hunt is absolutely worth it. So here’s to Nashville, here’s to ridiculous ambition, and here’s to being proven wrong. Sometimes the best surprises come from where you least expect them. This album? A pleasant one. Not perfect, but damn close to something special. If you have the stamina, give it a spin. Just maybe bring snacks. You’re going to be here a while. And that’s not a complaint—it’s a warning. A good one.
Label: Eclipse Records
Release date: September 18th, 2026
Website: https://www.valkyriesfire.com/
Country: USA
Score: 3.8/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 