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Effigy of Nightmares is the third album from Valdrin, a melodic black metal band out of Cincinnati, Ohio. I do not have either of their previous albums, but it is obvious they've nailed their sound on Effigy. It's an album with a solid blend of black and heavy metal featuring raspy vocals that aren't of the tortured variety and a speedy playing that manages to be smoothly melodic without losing all harshness or dark atmosphere. Songs like "Exsanguination Tunnels" and "Basilisk of Light" are thoroughly evil but not painfully raw and should appeal to fans that enjoy a wide range of metal just not necessarily the stuff out on the margins. It isn't particularly original, but the performances and songwriting are a cut above and at just over 30 minutes, you've got very little to lose in checking it out.