Valkyrie’s Fire – “Ascension” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Valkyrie’s Fire is an exciting new symphonic metal band from Nashville, Tennessee, who released their new album, “Ascension,” on Eclipse Records, back on November 8, 2024. I just recently found out about the band and missed their debut last year, but as I always say, it’s never too late to find good music.

Valkyrie’s Fire is made up of members: Bettie Floyd, on vocals; Adam Sanders, on vocals; Joey Grimaldi, on guitar; Ryan Metroka, on drums; and Dave Hale, on bass. Their symphonic power metal sound decided on one of the classic names and songs in Nordic folklore to name their band. Setting the bar high, right from the beginning.

The band draws influence from metal masters such as Nightwish, Epica, Nocturna, Tarja Turunen, and Ad Infinitum. Though their location in the American south, also helps set them apart from their peers. Dave Hale started this project in 2020, coming up with the preliminaries like logo design, ideas for social media pages, and marketing strategies that would be the foundation of Valkyrie’s Fire. In terms of musical vision, he wanted to create a unique blend of rhythmic timing and instrumental storytelling that would make us all majestic warriors of the night. Singer Adam Sanders joined up in the summer of 2021, contributing his education in music theory and composition, and in 2022, they added drummer Ryan Metroka who was formally educated in percussion. In 2023, they met guitarist Joey Grimaldi at a recurring local musical event called “Guitar Night,” and with his experience playing classical guitar and piano, he helped cement their signature sound. A few weeks later the band discovered treasure, with vocalist Beth (Bettie) Floyd, who brought to the group her spellbinding blend of lyric soprano and mezzo soprano vocals, completing Valkyrie’s Fire.

Valkyrie’s Fire were nominated as ‘The Group of the Year’ for “The Josie Awards,” in the Rock / Metal category in 2024.

Well, if you are going to kick off the story of a band named Valkyrie’s Fire, the only way to do it would be to start the album with your own version of the famous, “Ride of the Valkyrie.” They open with a slow churn towards the familiar opening sounds of the classic track, this time played by heavy metal guitar. Then, the soundscape explodes with drums, keyboards, bass, and electricity. Adam Sanders sings the first lines of the lyrics, “Out in the distance, there, you’ll see. The warrior maidens sent for times like this. I sense them coming quick towards us. It’s a sight I don’t want to miss.” Then, Bettie Floyd, joins him on vocals, “I long to see the spectacle. And I hope you’ll see it too. So come, look, and see before you miss. All the Valkyries coming through. Golden, fair, and bright. The Valkyries fly forever. They’re fast as the wind, outpacing the light. The greatness in their form. Of beauty and terror. It leaves me in awe. It leaves me in wonder. Now hold on tight, one and all. Because here they come again. And far below, the war ensues. Between the hordes of men. The soldiers that are fallen. Are left for the Valkyries to collect. A chance to serve the gods. Is granted for the ones that they select. Warriors gather as they celebrate in glory. Valhalla’s feast – they all will tell the story. Taking flight from the dark into the morning, Valkyrie’s Fire burns bright tonight!” The duet does a great job of bringing the emotions and fear, the site of this mystical event would bring to any witness. The music is epic and bold. Off to a great start!

“The Maiden,” continues the pounding drums, keyboards, and lead electric guitar soundscape. Bettie Floyd opens this song with vocals, “Warriors armed for battle. No fear in our eyes. Raise your weapons to the sky. No fear when it’s time to die. This bloodlust obsession. Carnal sins of the flesh. Skies are raining blood. Now I must confess.” Then Adam Sanders joins her, “Father I have sinned. Worthy of damnation. Paid with tears and blood. I now make this declaration. Father, I have sinned. I know my destination. In this hell. I’ve fought within. I await my incarnation. Deliver me. For the Gods I gave my best.” The pace is fast and the music rocks hard, despite the requests for forgiveness.

“Empty,” finally slows down the pace to a crawl. Almost a dirge level. The keyboards, drums, bass, and lead electric guitar creates a full soundscape. Bettie sings this one solo, “I wish I could leave, but my weakness forces me to stay. I wish I had reasons to believe it would help to pray. I’m losing my grip on life, not sure if I can win this time. The smiles all around me are smothering, fake, and just lies. And I’m silently struggling to live every day. Trying hard not to drown in the mess I have made. If I tell you, would you help me escape, Or leave me in darkness to wither away?! Empty, so empty. Oh, can’t you see I’m empty. And now I am feeling so lost and afraid of life. Too many transgressions that will never fade from my mind. The fog is too thick and I cannot find my way out. My heart is left broken; my mind is betrayed now.” All the killing and death have left their mark, and damage to the soul. A song of consolation or regret, sung with passionate emotion.

“Nectar of the Gods,” opens with a drum salute. Then, Adam Sanders sings, trying to keep pace with the soundscape moving like a Vision of Atlantis I song I remember hearing recently. He sings, “Each day we go from dawn to dusk. And play the age-old game. From Lindisfarne to Novgorod. Each day is all the same. We lop off someone’s head. And we carry off their gold. And when we’re through, we celebrate. And feast as though foretold.” A short hurrah song that does sound like a sports or military fight song.

“Warrior of the Night,” keeps the soundscape’s rolling pace going. Bettie and Adam sing together, after Adam opens, “You know sometimes the battle’s won. But only through the pain. If I go and fall once more. I’ll rise up once again. Nothing here can keep me down. I’ll always stand my ground. Once I overcome this strife. I’ll get to wear the crown. The fires of the night will lead us. Into the brightness of the dawn. And when the dawn arises, forevermore I will live on. I’m a warrior I’m battle born.” Yes, a quick overview of the scale of the conquests, savagery, and warfare that the Vikings brought down on the UK and Europe.

Valkyrie’s Fire’s “Ascension,” is a quick, sometimes all too quick, introduction to the power of this band. I think they do have the metal to produce a powerful long play album, but we will maybe see this in a year or so. They definitely know how to develop a strong orchestrated soundscape, and they have two great vocalists, when teamed up, that sound a little like Visions of Atlantis. The two together make a powerful pair of storytellers. Thankfully they have begun their adventures using ancient stories to tell their tales, but they also need to protect against getting one dimensional and only capable of telling Nordic legends. Some slower ballads, like I can tell Bettie is worthy of making, will round out their sound completely. They also make great music videos. Until then, if you like your metal fast and furious, this is your band. Try Valkyrie’s Fire’s “Ascension,” for limitless action!

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