Athenian band Valor marks its return with a third full length studio album, the second one under the Pitch Black Records banner. 13 years have passed since the debut EP of the band that emerged out of the Battleroar MKI split back in 2002, a band that remains thriving and productive. Arrogance: The Fall continues in the pattern established by the group. Melodic power metal ranging from mid to fast tempo and with an obvious epic touch. Slower songs are completely absent though and this is a feature that could make the album more diverse. That doesn’t reduce the value of the existing compositions which unravel within normal durations, keeping the album on the 42 minute mark. Keyboards once again play a crucial role in the embellishment of the songs while equally important are the properly structured choruses with Vangelis Krouskas’ multilayered vocals giving that extra spice in the whole result.
What I like in Valor is that although the band remains faithful to a certain sound and style, every release is a step forward in every sense. Compositions, musicianship, production and sound.
