The Secret Valley is the debut full-length release by folk-metal five-piece, Andraste. Amidst tales of giants, sorceresses, and Saxon hordes, the album pivots on its eponymous trilogy, which tells the story of the bitter resistance by a beleaguered cohort of Vikings, Danes and Scots, to William the Conqueror's invasion of Britain. Encompassing moments of punishing black metal, rough-hewn whistle melodies, acoustic and orchestral interludes, Norse choirs, and sea shanties, The Secret Valley is a consummately crafted folk metal offering. Andraste was formed by Coll (whistles / mandola) and Jorund (guitars) following a mosh-pit collision at Paganfest '08. Atticus (lead vocals, guitars, mandolin) and Scåpa (drums, vocals) joined on a manifesto of combining traditional music with extreme and melodic metal and, with Idris (bass, vocals) completing the lineup, proceeded in setting the history and mythology of the British, Celtic and Viking north against the resulting epic backdrop.