Album Review: Turpentine Valley – Veuel (Dunk!Records / A Thousand Arms Records / Ripcord Records)

On March 6th, Belgian band Turpentine Valley will release their third album ‘Veuel’. The album will be released on vinyl via the Belgian label Dunk!Records. A Thousand Arms Records will handle the US release, while Scottish label Ripcord Records will release the album on CD.

Instrumental post metal with a staggering amount of feeling, this might be my first experience with Turpentine Valley, but I can assure you, it won’t be my last. Such is the impact this album has had on me. It is a glorious showcase of dramatic heaviness, shimmering melody, and powerful atmosphere. Where, from beginning to end, it fascinates.

Part of which comes from just how textured it is. Part of which comes from how emotional it is. Part of which comes from drama that has story-telling aspects, and part of which comes from how clever and experimental it is. Yes, it’s post metal at its core, but an expanded style of post that freshens up the genre and makes Turpentine Valley feel so much more forward-thinking.

From the moment Serpent arrives via a cacophony of layered sounds and atmospheres, it’s clear that Veuel isn’t an ordinary post metal release. Taking the listener on an intense journey that slowly, but cleverly, raises the stakes. It’s the promise of bigger and bolder things and with the bar having been set high, along comes the heart-racing beauty and intensity of Derf to raise it. I really dig this opening duo as a showcase of what Turpentine Valley have to offer, but as the rest of the album shows, they are capable of so much more.

More like the thought-provoking heavy drama that oozes out of Trampel, a spectacle of a track. More like the cinematic Aloof, one of the more obviously ‘post’ tracks on the album. More like Ender, which is a short piece of heart-wrenching melody and post power, and more like the hyperactive punchy groove and unnerving oddness of Pando. The middle part of the album is awesome, and Turpentine Valley really show just how much depth they have to their sound. As I said before, notably different in a genre that doesn’t always allow the freedom to explore.

Exploration of post and associated elements is what Turpentine Valley like to do though, and the latter part of the album keeps things so satisfying. From the incredible Transparent, which has an interesting sinister tone, to the finale of Frugaal, a highly melodic piece that perfectly embodies the emotional heft of the band and the emotional weight that this album has overall. It’s perfect, and that’s before I even mention that in between those tracks, we have Stevel and List. Two effortless showcases of modern post metal twisted by technical depth, authentic feeling, and powerful musicianship.

Incredible. You should probably check it out, shouldn’t you?

Turpentine Valley – Veuel Track Listing:

1. Serpent
2. Derf
3. Trampel
4. Aloof
5. Ender
6. Pando
7. Transparent
8. Stevel
9. List
10. Frugaal

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Dunk!Records | A Thousand Arms Records | Ripcord Records