Release Date: August 01st 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Quintessence: Tracklisting
1.Terra Luna Sol 04:25
2.Graviton 06:30
3.Where's This Place? 04:35
4.The Late Heavy Bombardment 04:18
5.Red Shift 01:34
6.Palus Somni 04:58
7.Theia 06:29
8.I'll See Them Burn 02:49
9.Aurora 01:27
10.Quintessence 07:27
Members
Ryan Ferrier- guitars and vocals
Chris Sweeney- bass, keys, and additional guitars
Johnny Kathman- drums, percussion, vocals and additional guitars
Review
Desert Rock/Stoner Rockers Valley Of The Sun release their fifth full length album Quintessence with the band returning to the classic “Power Trio” formation with some of the best grooves being played throughout the whole album. Opting for a Fuzzed Up and Psychedelic style of music they first made their names with. The album does have a clearer and classic sound compared to their previous albums with a determined focus that sees Valley Of The Sun become quite Doom Rock oriented with Spaced Out flourishes.
With a powerful grunge atmosphere which can be heard on the excellent batch of opening tracks Terra Luna Sol, Graviton and Where’s This Place? all setting the scene for sludgy grooves, soaring Hard Rock vocals and that muscular Stoner Rock/Metal drive which has made Valley Of The Sun a true creative force to be reckoned with over the last decade or so. The vocals have a certain Chris Cornell vibe to them especially within the stunning second track Graviton which is helped by intense and distorted instrumental sounds that weaves Psychedelic imagery into the mix.
Third track Where’s The Place has a slight “AMERICANA” edge at the start before Valley Of The Sun let RIP with a barrage of Doomed Out Desert Rock passages with sludgy sounds that captures the more aggressive and adventurous side of Stoner Metal. The band add a soulful Psychedelic element to the track which arrives after Valley Of The Sun play some of the heaviest parts of the album.
Fourth track The Late Heavy Bombardment will perhaps be considered one of the standout tracks of the album with Valley Of The Sun taking cues from legendary rockers The Doors before adding a Soundgarden dirge ridden sound before adding their own immaculate style of Desert/Stoner Rock. If you ever wondered what Jim Morrison would sound like on a Stoner Rock record then this is the closest you’re ever going to get and I mean that as a compliment. One of the best vocal performances is held right here on this track alone.
Fifth track Red Shirt is a superbly played Instrumental track with small waves of Space Rock textures and a lovely Blues Rock touch. A nice change of pace before Valley Of The Sun venture back out into the Stoner Rock/Metal arena for heavier musical adventures.
The record can be quite nostalgic with the inspired use of 90’s Alt Rock and Grunge themes yet again within the next two tracks of Palus Somni and Theia. The constant switch between classic Desert Rock melodies and a modern Stoner Rock/Metal attitude results in some kick-ass guitar solos and the intense rhythm section allowing Valley Of The Sun to transform into a Post-Stoner outfit which is quite soothing to hear.
Theia can be quite Progressive with the music taking time to settle into a Hard Rock foundation and then the vocals go into overdrive with the music being quite laid-back that was quite interesting to hear. Another one of the standout tracks thanks to the highly energetic mood of the whole track especially with the Desert Rock movements allowing the other areas of music to appear exactly where they’re needed to be.
The final three tracks of I’ll See Them Burn, Aurora and Quintessence allows Valley Of The Sun play multiple different styles of music yet again which remains highly original with an aggressive slant appearing on I’ll See Them Burn and the brilliant title track.
Quintessence is a major return to form for Valley Of The Sun and sees them deliver their most daring and heaviest record to date. With excellent production and recording duties handled by John Naclerio at Nada Recording Studio in Montgomery, New York, the record sounds incredible from start to finish and will no doubt go down a storm with Valley Of The Sun’s established fan-base.
This is another Album Of The Year Contender and is simply unmissable.
You know what to do….
Words by Steve Howe
Quintessence is available to buy digitally now with CD’s being released in September 2024 and Vinyl’s released in October 2024.
Links
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