Valfader
Stoner/Rock/Sludge/Experimental unit Valfader recently dropped us a line, saying we should check out their EP, Whispers Of Chaos, to see what we thought of things. Described as ‘three guys with valved amps, big drums and heavy riffs’ and having formed in a drinking hole in Bath way back in 2010, these guys are out there doing what they like and aiming to present music that people will enjoy. With an eclectic description of their genre, I was looking forward to checking out what this 4 track EP held in store for us!
Kicking into being with title track Whispers Of Chaos we’re led slowly into things, an echoed guitar tone leading the way into a laid back yet deeply powerful melee of cymbal crashes and haunting tones. Building on this base, the track seems to echo into being, the elements of it coming into being bit by bit and forming together, crafting the sound carefully without allowing themselves to overdo it or go too far. Gradually reaching their full momentum, the track is a clever mix of stoner esque riffs combined with a sludge like approach to rhythm, sticking to a relatively slow pace but accentuating all of the elements fully throughout. Managing to create an almost ambient feeling through the differentiated guitar lines which lead us through the track, it’s a twisting journey throughout, keeping things interesting, intriguing and intricate throughout, showcasing their style and demonstrating their understanding of what they’re doing. It’s only when the track is coming to a close that you realise there’s not been any vocals, the guitar work has done all of the talking, combining with the deep and powerful rhythm section to craft a track that doesn’t need words, the music does all of the speaking needed.
Moving on to Green Sleeps the sludgy power continues, this time adopting an almost groove orientated approach initially whilst keeping the slamming drumlines set on slow, again hammering home the full power of the track to make sure you’ve not missed anything. Finally revealing the vocals the whole sound of the track is transformed, moving from an almost experimental approach to a more sludgy, doom orientated mix of powerful vocal lines, hammering guitar work, rumbling bass and solid drum work. There’s a real sense of groove orientated rhythms flowing through this track once again, showing once again that this is a band who do what they love, and love what they do. Continuing this approach into the bass heavy opening moments of D.M.T (Death Meets Truth), the band almost seem to be on a mission to showcase their various styles and abilities. Slower again, and this time softer through the guitar line which leads the way, there’s a real haunting edge to things here, urging you to shift the volume up a notch so you don’t miss anything, whilst at the same time, keeping that ominous sense of anticipation in place throughout. Growing in power as it progresses, to me this is a real stand out point on the EP, and a moment to make sure you check out if you get a chance.
Reaching the conclusion of the EP in the form of Sacred Spiral there’s one final twist in the tail left on the EP, once again shifting their style towards a more experimental approach, keeping that sense of haunting appeal in place but adding in that sense of ambient calm once again. Dark and powerful from the word go, the final track here seems to summarise the doom orientated stoner based rock ambience that is Valfader, leaving you on a high, and showing that when it comes to these guys, nothing is straight forward or simple.
I didn’t really know what to expect when I read the genre that these guys had used to describe themselves, but listening to their EP I kind of understand where they’re coming from. This is an EP which doesn’t follow convention, doesn’t stick to the rules, and doesn’t do what it should, instead opting to carve its own path through the world of music. Definitely a band to check out to see what you think, and a band who I’ll be interested to see more from.
To find out more about Valfader, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Kicking into being with title track Whispers Of Chaos we’re led slowly into things, an echoed guitar tone leading the way into a laid back yet deeply powerful melee of cymbal crashes and haunting tones. Building on this base, the track seems to echo into being, the elements of it coming into being bit by bit and forming together, crafting the sound carefully without allowing themselves to overdo it or go too far. Gradually reaching their full momentum, the track is a clever mix of stoner esque riffs combined with a sludge like approach to rhythm, sticking to a relatively slow pace but accentuating all of the elements fully throughout. Managing to create an almost ambient feeling through the differentiated guitar lines which lead us through the track, it’s a twisting journey throughout, keeping things interesting, intriguing and intricate throughout, showcasing their style and demonstrating their understanding of what they’re doing. It’s only when the track is coming to a close that you realise there’s not been any vocals, the guitar work has done all of the talking, combining with the deep and powerful rhythm section to craft a track that doesn’t need words, the music does all of the speaking needed.
Moving on to Green Sleeps the sludgy power continues, this time adopting an almost groove orientated approach initially whilst keeping the slamming drumlines set on slow, again hammering home the full power of the track to make sure you’ve not missed anything. Finally revealing the vocals the whole sound of the track is transformed, moving from an almost experimental approach to a more sludgy, doom orientated mix of powerful vocal lines, hammering guitar work, rumbling bass and solid drum work. There’s a real sense of groove orientated rhythms flowing through this track once again, showing once again that this is a band who do what they love, and love what they do. Continuing this approach into the bass heavy opening moments of D.M.T (Death Meets Truth), the band almost seem to be on a mission to showcase their various styles and abilities. Slower again, and this time softer through the guitar line which leads the way, there’s a real haunting edge to things here, urging you to shift the volume up a notch so you don’t miss anything, whilst at the same time, keeping that ominous sense of anticipation in place throughout. Growing in power as it progresses, to me this is a real stand out point on the EP, and a moment to make sure you check out if you get a chance.
Reaching the conclusion of the EP in the form of Sacred Spiral there’s one final twist in the tail left on the EP, once again shifting their style towards a more experimental approach, keeping that sense of haunting appeal in place but adding in that sense of ambient calm once again. Dark and powerful from the word go, the final track here seems to summarise the doom orientated stoner based rock ambience that is Valfader, leaving you on a high, and showing that when it comes to these guys, nothing is straight forward or simple.
I didn’t really know what to expect when I read the genre that these guys had used to describe themselves, but listening to their EP I kind of understand where they’re coming from. This is an EP which doesn’t follow convention, doesn’t stick to the rules, and doesn’t do what it should, instead opting to carve its own path through the world of music. Definitely a band to check out to see what you think, and a band who I’ll be interested to see more from.
To find out more about Valfader, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls