Artist description Progressive pop rock classical metal, that you will not hear anywhere else.

Music Style Progressive rock

Musical Influences Jethro tull,Genesis,Yes,King Crinson,Black Sabbath,Bach,Zappa,Folkmusic.

Similar Artists Spock´s Beard,Yes,Jethro Tull...

Artist History It all began in the autumn of 1987. Five youngsters from Järna, a small town near Stockholm, formed the band that was soon to be called Valiant. Inspired by the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and The Bible, the lyrics became rather intricate and profound. Musically the band has it’s roots in everything from J.S. Bach to Frank Zappa and Jethro Tull to Black Sabbath. Along the way, the lineup has changed a few times and each member has been involved in different projects, but Valiant has always remained their first priority.Since 1998 the band has focused it’s efforts on recording and so far two demo CD’s has been completed. Ironizing over the lack of popularity for the bands genre, the first one was called ”ANNO DAZUMAL”(antiquated). The second CD is called ”VISCUM ALBUM” witch means – mistletoe. After experimenting on the first album with broken amps, distorted vocals, double speed recording and reversed sounds the second album contains several polyphonic choir segments, a six part fugue, a string quartet and a few pop choruses. The aim for the third CD is to record quicker and more as a live guitar trio…time will tell.

Group Members Markus Nyman - vocals , Johan Ahlskog - guitars , Håkan Andersson - bass , Mattias Moberg - drums

Instruments Vocals,Electric and Acoustic Guitars,Electric Bass,Drums,String and Wind instruments,Percussion,Piano.

Albums Anno Dazumal 1998, Viscum Album 2000

Press Reviews Reviewed by Gabor Kleinbloesem for STRUTTER MAGAZINE.ANNO DAZUMAL/VISCUM ALBUM-VALIANT (INDEPENDENT)The band VALIANT from Sweden is really hard to categorise, because the music on their two CDs is ranging from Pop, Folk, to Classic Rock, Progressive Rock and AOR/Pomprock. The first CD 'Anno dazumal' was released two years ago. The album features some really bizarre lyrics such as "Crows at the ruined tower" or "Nightfall in endor". Anyway, it's the music that counts and there are some great tunes on the CD such as "Patterns in the sky" (good melodic rocker in 70s style, with some great guitarplay), "Nightfall in Endor" (experimental parts, but still very melodic, the chorus is pure AOR/Melodic Rock, 80s orientated, in general like UFO and SCORPIONS) and "Solid bridge" (some 70s Pomp influences a la early KANSAS, poppy STONEBOLT, the chorus is very good and quite melodic). The beginning of the CD is pretty nice and features aforementioned 3 tracks. The second part is less interesting and is changing the style into weak 90s industrial-rock meets 60s progressive rock. Songs like "Crows at the ruined tower" and "Shades of blackened white" are really weak and have nothing in common with the AOR/Pomprock of the first couple of songs. The follow-up to this CD has just been released. 'Viscum album' follows the same style as created on their debut, maybe a little less out of the ordinary. The beginning of this CD is very wicked with bizarre experimental 90s orientated progressive songs such as "Potter's field" and "Night time waters". But then suddenly comes the song "The shroud of not knowing". This is a lovely AOR/Pomprocker with a classy 80s chorus and some great guitarplay. The song reminds me of bands like KANSAS and SPYS. But it's only one song on the whole CD reminding of those great bands. Nevertheless, there are a couple more interesting tunes to be heard on VALIANT's second CD. The progressive semi ballad "Of ever the silver cord be loosed" is quite close to the old KANSAS, both musically and lyrically. Another great tune is "God speed", a very good midtempo melodic pomprocker a la MAGNUM with again a lovely melodic chorus. On the other hand songs like "Garlic rosary", "An absent ricochet" and "Through the woods" leave me rather cold. I hope to hear some more Pomprockers like "God speed", "The shroud of not knowing" and "Nightfall in Endor" on a future CD. In the meantime, you can still check out this Swedish band at: http://www.mp3.com/valiant e-mail them at: valiant@mail.nu (Points: 7.0 out of 10)

Location Jarna - Sweden

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