Valar serves up some Summoning-influenced, Tolkien-inspired keyorchestration based songs. Valar uses less guitar, different rhythm patterns and some odd synth sounds to set it apart from their forefather. Amongst the batch of demos with which it was received it became a quick favorite. The tunes are well crafted and the music creates an atmosphere appropriate to its title (and, I'm assuming, the lyrics - which are not included). For example, the songs "Fangorn" and "Hidden Paths" are majestic ditties full of bombast and war, and the intro to and the song proper "In the Troll Cave" is a sinister tune utilizing simple rhythms and atonal chords to creating a claustrophobic and unsettling mood. A great demo for those with a taste for Summoning style music . . minus most of the guitars.

© 2001 j. mcintyre