Valhom - Despair
Convivial Hermit (not yet published): The third recording by Valhom is far superior to at least the second one, which was also released by Ars Magna Recordings.  With Despair, the band has made a striking evolution from past works with densely packed songs containing intricate riffs, very tight and rigid execution, and a strong production which is not too loud and not too "bright," and certainly not too soft.  Reading the band's biography I learned that Valhom takes most of its cues from the early recordings of Burzum and Satyricon, and I think that is displayed saliently on this album, especially weighing toward the Satyricon side (think Shadowthrone and Nemesis Divina).  The guitars rage and whip through a variety of (on occasional) very evocative and strong riffs, producing a sinister and appropriately solemn atmosphere.  However, the synthetic drums could really use some work, i.e., a replacement with an actual drummer, as they sound highly artificial and seem often to do little more but keep time to the riffs which are the plainly the driving force of Valhom's composition.  Lord Temptation, who recorded this entire work on his own, has a strong imagination in writing creative riffs and melodies on guitar, but as a drummer and as a programmer (music programmer, that is), he is lacking, and I could say just as much about his vocals.  These vocals, a kind of high-pitched rasping, are unfortunately very monotonous, although, having little to do with vocals, I did enjoy the use of keyboard parts throughout the album.  The keyboards are layered over the riffs in such a manner as to add a richness to the guitars, and are used, for the most part, in very welcome moderation.  I think that is a good rule for a lot of black metal bands to follow, to use the keyboard in moderation if they must (most black metal bands, anyway).  The songs on this album do not quite touch the majesty of Satyricon's Shadowthrone, which I think is the closest reference point to this album, and the synthetic drums and monotonous vocals are pulling the work back, in my opinion, but the fact this good Lord even tried, and achieved such a nevertheless professional outcome can only be counted in his favor.  I think with a real drummer as creative as he is on guitar, and a more dynamic and variable approach to the vocals - maybe even the enlistment of a different vocalist - Valhom could easily blow away the majority of black metal coming from this country today, so it should be interesting to hear what comes next.

Invisible Oranges: Despite its title and one-man origin, Despair (Ars Magna, 2007) isn't depressive black metal. It's actually rather kick-ass, due to a robust drum machine (either that, or someone used triggers something fierce). Lord Temptation's (what a name!) drum programming is varied and surprisingly human-like, resulting in a dynamic listen.
Adding welcome heaviness, and leavening the requisite tremolo picking, are palm-muted riffs that suggest traditional metal. Discordant string rakes ripple between washes of jazzy chords. The mix is strong, putting the raspy vocals upfront but not annoyingly so. Keyboards bubble up tastefully in the background; the piano flourish in "Poison Which Flows in My Veins" recalls early Moby (!).
I wonder if Valhom plays live, as the lyrics are quite verbose. For example, "Nocturnal Reception" has six verses and two choruses, adding up to 36 lines to memorize! The lyrics aren't particularly lyrical, but they deal with nature themes, which I'll take over wrist-slitting any day. This may be Burzum on steroids, but it's compact, consistent, and enjoyable.

Grave Concerns Ezine: If there's one thing I can say about the Chicago black metal project Valhom, it's that Lord Tempation likes his black metal played extremely fast. Through all nine songs on Despair there aren't many parts that are played at anything under warp speed. This is the third full-length album from Valhom since the formation back in 1999 and the first release on Ars Magna Recordings who re-released their last album, Desolation. From the opening note on Eternities Ago, Lord Temptation tremolo picks his way through riff after riff of raw black metal and he only slows down to inject some chaotic thrash sections into the songs. Even though I'm not totally sure if they are electronically altered or not, his raspy vocals couldn't fit the music any more perfectly than they do and the keyboard sections that he plays aren't extremely noticeable and work well. While the bass is non-existent, my only complaint, and it's not a big one, would be some of the drumming on "Despair". If it's a drum machine, it's not too bad and at times it actually sounds decent, I just like the sound of actual drums. Though I'm not completely sold on the fact that it is a machine, if it is an actual drum kit, Lord Temptation uses a lot of triggers. The drums fit the music though and if it is him on the kit then the parts that don't sound triggered sound like he's not too bad of a drummer. Other than my small gripe about the drums, I would say that this is a solid release for Valhom and worth listening to if you are a fan of early nineties style black metal.