Release
date: May
24th
2019. Label:
Fuzzorama
Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Old
Gods
– Tracklisting
1.Old
Gods
2.All
We are
3.Gaia
Creates
4.Dim
Vision
5.Shiva
Destroys
6.Firewalker
7.Into
the Abyss
8.Faith
is for Suckers
9.Buddha
Transcends
10.Means
the Same
11.Dreams
of Sands
Members
Ryan
Ferrier-Guitar/Vocals
Aaron
Boyer-Drums
Chris
Sweeney-Bass and Keys
Josh
Pilot-Guitar
Review
Valley
Of The Sun – make a welcome return with Old Gods. A fuzzed up and
progressive journey of Psychedelic Desert/Stoner Rock sounds that
easily ranks as their best album to date. Taking influence from bands
such as Truckfighters, Soundgarden, Kyuss, Monster Magnet and Fu
Manchu but still creating their own powerful sound. Old Gods is
perhaps a darker and more daring style music that we’ve heard from
Valley Of The Sun.
Opening
song – Old Gods – is an epic sounding mix of Desert Rock, Grunge,
Fuzz Rock, Psych and Stoner Metal with a seedy outlook on things. The
vocals from Ryan are HUGE and he adds a lot of weight to Valley Of
The Sun’s overall sound. The music is quite progressive in places
and the ambient based sounds give this album a more spaced out feel.
Second
song – All We Are – is classic sounding Valley Of The Sun through
and through. With the band playing their trademark fast-paced
Desert/Fuzz/Stoner Rock riffs with absolute confidence. The hazy Fuzz
Rock vibes is what makes this song work so well. The vocals from Ryan
are more laid back and it’s good the hear a different style of
vocals from him on this song. Valley Of The Sun have devilish fun
playing different styles of Fuzz/Desert Rock near the end of the
song.
Third
song – Gaia Creates – is a more laidback offering with an
acoustic guitar being the main focus before a cool sounding
psychedelic riff appears and creates a “dream-like” post-rock
atmosphere.
Fourth
song – Dim Vision – sees the band return to a heavier, angrier
and fast-paced style of Stoner Rock/Metal with a Punk Rock vibe being
added for great effect. This is one of the angriest songs on the
album and it’s good to see Valley Of The Sun add a more ruthless
and aggressive streak to their music.
Fifth
- Shiva Destroys – is an eighty second blast of fantastic drumming
and other weird sounds. I can see why the band put this song on the
album and it’s a very cool to song to admire and that’s mainly
for the excellent drumming.
Sixth
song – Firewalker – carries on with the aggressive Punk Rock
sound heard on Dim Vision but with a heavier and direct Fuzz Rock
approach. The song may only last ninety seconds or so but if feels
longer and I wanted to hear more of this song. I was disappointed
that the song suddenly ends.
Though
the show must go on and Valley Of The Sun have five more songs to
impressive you with and that they do with the band building upon
their Desert/Stoner/Fuzz Rock sound. The second half of the album is
perhaps way more psychedelic than the first half and that’s a good
thing. As the listener will be fully immersed with the rich and
progressive sounds that Valley Of The Sun create here.
Standout
songs on the second half of the album include - Into The Abyss, Faith
Is For Suckers and Dreams of Sands. As these songs see Valley Of The
Sun play the most exciting moments on the album with the
Fuzz/Desert/Stoner Rock riffs leave you wanting more.
The
production is excellent and is perhaps the best sounding album that
Valley Of The Sun have released to date. Valley Of The Sun deserve
credit for releasing something different with Old Gods compared to
their previous albums.
Old
Gods is an outstanding album and ranks as Valley Of The Sun’s best
album to date.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. Old Gods will be
available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Fuzzorama Records from May 24th
2019.
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