Review LIONHEART “Valley of Death II”

The Oakland-based band Lionheart has an interesting approach to album titles. The Californian hardcore band transformed the “Welcome to the West Coast” EP into a trilogy, and another album that defines the sound of Lionheart is “Valley of Death.” We can also expect a next chapter here.

Lionheart has finished work on “Valley of Death II,” which will set the stage for an explosive start to 2026. With ten songs and a running time of less than 30 minutes, the message is clear. It’s not the lengthy songs that one can find on “Valley of Death II”. Lionheart continues with their intense mixture of hardcore and metal music, which features powerful rhythms, intense guitar riffs, and aggressive vocals.

“Bulletproof” is the opener and sets the scene for the next 23 minutes. The music that leaves the speakers is fierce, groove-based hardcore, and jumping around is not an option. It’s mandatory while listening to these blasting hardcore anthems.

One song that served as a lead single is “Roll Call.” It’s another song that’s got a ton of energy. It’s a brutal ear-drum assault that you’ll love. Groove-laden and equipped with a sharp riff, the song spreads a lot of energy in one and a half minutes.

“Valley of Death II” also features two songs with guest appearances. The first is “Chewing Through the Leash.” This barking hardcore song features Matt Honeycutt from Kublai Kahn, TX, who adds an extra layer to “Chewing Through the Leash” without causing Lionheart to deviate from their signature sound.

“Ice Cold” is a furious song with gang shouts and a massive riff leading to the title track, which follows typical Lionheart principles. Driven by an infectious bassline, the song is another muscle-flexing moment on the album.

The album also includes a second song with a guest appearance, “Death Grip.” Kevin Skaff of A Day to Remember lends his voice to the explosive closer, adding an extra kick to the track.

“No Peace” is a sinister and dark track, with the vocals being more prominent than on the other tracks on the album. Combined with a brutal bassline and down-tuned guitars, listening to the song is like getting through a fever dream. The band shifts gears with the up-tempo “Release the Dogs,” and rest assured, we’re not talking about lap dogs here.

“Valley of Death II” is the next strike from Oakland’s hardcore heavyweights, adding a great second chapter to the “Valley of Death” storyline with their newest studio effort. Fans of the band will appreciate what they’re offered, and metalheads who haven’t heard of the band before should definitely check out this massive musical blast.