Local Review: Valhalla — Singing In Regret

Valhalla
Singing In Regret
Frayed Records
Street: 06.09.2025
Valhalla = A Day To Remember + My Chemical Romance

It’s a rare occurrence that only a minute after hitting play on a new album, the body’s already buzzing, and your intuition just knows this is going to be awesome. The French word frisson translates in English as “thrill” or “shiver.” In music, however, it’s known as a phenomenon in which the body has a physical reaction to listening to a song. The next thing you know, goosebumps have bubbled over your arms and legs, and you’re on the edge of your seat for whatever you’re about to endure. 

Being welcomed into Valhalla’s debut album, Singing In Regret, by the eerie instrumental sounds of “Epilogue” immediately sets a mysterious tone, as it’s difficult to pinpoint what type of journey the remaining 45 minutes could possibly entail. I was in the car when I heard the introduction of the album for the first time, and my soul was consumed with frisson throughout me. I immediately reached for the volume knob on my stereo and turned it up to the max because I knew whatever was to come was going to leave my jaw dropped.

I’d say my instinct was spot on because once Dominick Kalman comes in pounding those eighth-note drumbeats to begin the transition into the album’s second track “Staples” — soon followed by Laiki Lee’s powerfully catchy guitar melody and Adam Schryver’s punchy bassline — it felt like a craving deep inside me was being fed that I didn’t even know existed.

There were a few moments throughout the duration of this album that took me back to high school when a couple of my friends would describe their music taste as “Viking screamo.” At the time, my imagination ran wild with what the world of Viking metal could entail, and while Valhalla may not fully encompass the entire realm of what Viking screamo has to offer, elements of Neo-Nordic music are certainly present through the combination of false cord screaming and growls alongside powerful chants to create those mythical undertones. 

The reason alternative and punk rock have held a special place in my heart for so long is how musicians portray intense emotions through combining flashy guitar solos and catchy drumbeats. Rage. Playfulness. Sadness. Loneliness. These feelings are balanced by subtle lyrical cues, such as “you can’t walk away, please don’t leave me in my decay” from “After May,” that poke at the difficulty of fighting inner demons alone and struggling to find self-worth during times you may feel abandoned by loved ones.

People looking to decode intricate lyrical puzzles may not find much satisfaction throughout the majority of Singing In Regret, and I’d argue that’s part of the beauty of the punk and alternative realm. Rather than obscuring meaning, Valhalla emphasizes their message through every element of their sound, captivating the listener before punching them in the face with a straightforward sentiment that’s difficult to misinterpret. 

For instance, in the track “Going Out Crazy,” the lyrics, “I lay in bed and feel nothing. Disgusted with something I call myself. I hate myself,” leave little room for mixed interpretation. However, tracks like “Silver Road” and “Onset” offer more poetic elements that some listeners may prefer. These slower songs are composed of beautiful acoustics that escalate the frisson of emotion, which ultimately brings the album to a resonant close.

To my fellow lovers of the 2000s and 2010s era of emo, you’ll find immense satisfaction tuning into Singing In Regret. After listening to the album numerous times to fully encapsulate what Valhalla is trying to depict, I’m left feeling nothing but anticipation for what this trio will unveil next. All I know is that the angsty teen within me has officially been reawakened, and I’ll be the first person blasting their new singles out of my car windows. –Heather Homewood

Read more reviews by Heather Homewood:
SLUG Magazine Presents: 31 Days of Secondhand Givings
Local Music Singles Roundup: October 2025