VALLENFYRE – the side project of PARADISE LOST lead guitarist Gregor Mackintosh – are currently streaming the song “Scabs,” which comes from their forthcoming sophomore album, Splinters. The album is due On May 12th in Europe and on May 13th in North America.
The simple, yet striking cover artwork was created by Brian D’Agosta, who previously drew a logo for VALLENFYRE bassist Scoot’s other band, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND, as well as artwork for many other bands.
“VALLENFYRE was something I felt utterly compelled to do. It was almost like I didn’t have a choice. I was told by a bereavement counselor that I should write down and vocalize my feelings. I did just that and then everything just seemed to take a natural course,” is how Greg Mackintosh (vocals/lead guitars), best known as a founding member of long-running UK gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST, describes the initial spark helping him to transform the anger and sadness ensuing the loss of his father into the death/doom/crust opus A Fragile King (2011).
While being the main songwriter in Paradise Lost, Greg also stepped up to being the front-man for VALLENFYRE – and sang for the first time, citing Karl Willetts (BOLT THROWER), Chuck Schuldiner (DEATH), Oscar Garcia (NAUSEA, TERRORIZER), Pete Steele (CARNIVORE, TYPE O NEGATIVE) as influences. A Fragile King turned out to be a heartfelt, cathartic and therapeutic release, which now finds it continuation on the even more abrasive and extreme second full-length, Splinters.
Inspired by the likes of HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST, AUTOPSY, ANTISECT, DISCHARGE, NIHILIST, early NAPALM DEATH, early BATHORY, and CONFLICT, Vallenfyre digs deep into the roots of extreme music, yet due to Greg’s infallible song-writing skills, as well as the organic and absolutely crushing sound courtesy of Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, BLACK BREATH, BEASTMILK), Splinters is far away from mere nostalgia.