Musical Style: Heavy Metal	Produced By:
Record Label: Independent / Retroactive	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 1987 / 2022	Artist Website:
Tracks: 5	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 20:45

Valor packs old school metal punch within a semi-thrash, speed metal and traditional metal basis.  The Bay Area four piece traces its origin to classic metal act Golgatha, whom in 1983 released a highly regarded custom cassette EP entitled Prisoner prior to breaking up and its members joining several well known ‘White Metal’ acts from the time.  Drummer Al Whalen and vocalist Tony Crider went on to be part of Soldier and Crossforce, respectively, while bassist Adam Alvarez founded Valor.

With Alvarez initially recruiting vocalist Michael Brueck, drummer Jim Maxwell and later guitar team of Chris Price and Vic Sardon, Valor proceeded to record in 1987 its debut five-song custom cassette EP Masquerade in which it takes a multi-dimensional approach.  On one hand, an aggressive facet to the group’s songwriting points towards the semi-thrash and speed metal side of things (referencing comparison to Metal Church, Slayer and Death Angel).  On the other, a melodic albeit no less heavy aspect uncovers the traditional metal slant (noting Iron Maiden, Saint and Armageddon).

Valor moved on to bigger and better things with 1988 full length effort Fight For Your Life, leaving Masquerade to turn into a highly sought after and pricy collectors item.  Good news is that in 2022 Masquerade was re-mastered (courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) and re-issued on CD and black vinyl by Retroactive Records.  CD version is packaged in a six panel digi-wallet with original cover art in addition to a montage of band photos and concert flyers (attributing to Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics).

Helping Valor ‘break the mold’ and ‘offer something a bit different’ is classic tenor vocalist Michael Brueck, whom places emphasis on ‘singing instead of groveling and yelling’ (in quoting a review from back in the day either way).  Opening cut “Masquerade” best reveals such, initiating to spiritual warfare based narration ahead of turning into an aggressive stomper home to driving bass, unrelenting impetus and Brueck’s smoothly flowing and complementary vocal signatures.  Lead guitar sounds as if taken from an early Deliverance album.  Lyric snippet:

Upon the cross, He died for sinners can't you see.
Once for all, redemptive blood for you and me.
So make your choice, you can call Jesus to your aid.
Don't live your life, just like your in a Masquerade.

Your lifes a Masquerade, Your lifes a Masquerade,

“Fight For Your Life” maintains the focused momentum within a two and half minute package to see brief but curtly woven hooks hold sway alongside double kick drum and all the unremitting energy you could ask.  Again, I am reminded of old school Deliverance, particularly the groups Greeting Of Death demo when factoring production which while on the thin side. succeeds in capturing the raw emotion to the groups performance.  Credit the Colwell re-mastering in this regard.  Lyric snippet:

You say you know the way.
But I say Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Oh your blinded by a lie.
Your living in the awful night in sin, you must turn to Him.

Fight for your life, for your soul.

“Burn” slows things down in unearthing the Valor traditional metal side.  Guitars power to the forefront in setting a lambasting mid-paced tone, albeit occasional outbursts of energy power things into upbeat territory.  Half of songs five minutes attributes to a keyed up instrumental run transitioning from doom-like rhythm guitar to blistering leads and back again.  Early Saint comes to mind, a compliment of the highest order.  Lyric snippet:

Look at you now your life has just expired.
You probably thought it was too soon.
You now stand before the one you thought was weak.
But what you found was that your doomed.

Run flee you can't escape here.
The one who's more powerful has handed over thee.

“Didn’t I” is one of my favorites with its immediately engaging qualities.  With drum and bass solos to start ensued by blinding guitars, the song sets a melodic tone rest of the way with its draw you in at once vocal melodies and refuse to go away refrain.  Brueck sings at his most even best, while guitar team of Price and Sardon shine with their scintillating soloing, particularly over the final seconds.  Lyric snippet:

Didn't I send My son, just to set 'em all free.
Sacrificed on the cross, a death fro free,
I gave it all, up upon a tree.
Without My Son it's death you'll see.

I can be yours, freedom comes from Me.
Didn't I, free yours, believe in Me.

“The Flesh is Weak” represents another thrash infuses barnburner, home to equal parts heightened intensity and hyper-infused momentum but not backing from the Valor keen sense of melody.  As with many tracks here, song proves you can be aggressive but not lacking accessibility at the same time.  Am I out of line to suggest comparison to the heavier material from Barren Cross?  Lyric snippet:

Be not deceived whatsoever a man sows that will he also reap.
But I've come that you may have life, and life more abundantly,
And I care.
For I saw Satan fall like lightning, down from his place on high
So be not weary because of him.

I've made a decision to follow Him, and He set me free,
Oh and it's by His blood.

I identify with Masquerade as a long lost gem.  Yes, I was aware of Fight For Your Life (still own the original vinyl) but also had no idea Valor previously recorded a demo.  That said, I am glad it did in that Masquerade is brimming of energy, aggression, hooks and (the key word) potential.  If the group had stuck around and recorded several additional albums subsequent to Fight For Your Life, it would be referenced in the same sentence as many of the groups noted in the review.  Those such as this reviewer whom are Valor fans but missed Masquerade back in the day or are into any of the styles presented, would do themselves a favor by picking up the Retroactive re-issue.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Masquerade” (4:26), “Fight For Your Life” (2:42), “Burn” (5:00), “Didn’t I” (4:27), “The Flesh Is Week” (4:11)

Musicians
Michael Brueck - Lead Vocals
Chris Price - Guitars
Vic Sardon - Guitars
Adam Alvarez - Bass
Jim Maxwell - Drums