Heavy in weight and hefty in seduction, Whispers of Chaos the new EP from UK band Valfader is a debut you just cannot ignore or slip away from without it leaving a lingering presence in thoughts and emotions. The four track, almost forty minute long beast of a release brings a heady mix of doom soaked post metal and melodically fired stoner rock with tinges of prime psychedelic temptation. A smouldering, slowly burning persuasion which takes a little time to get going but overall has the senses and imagination firmly recruited to its thunderous intent, the EP easily marks out the Bath based trio as a band to watch with its heavy, exhausting rock.
Consisting of guitarist/vocalist Dean Gaylard, bassist Matt Jones, and drummer Gareth Jones, Valfader formed in 2010 and ever since been recruiting passionate followers to their multi-flavoured blend of exploratory towering riffs, equally lofty and predacious rhythms, and grooves which enslave the passions through acidic potency. Whispers of Chaos immediately unveils the heart and passion of Valfader’s sound; the reason that their intense irresistible sonic bait has earned the band strong responses and solidly brewing acclaim. Often seemingly compared to the likes of Black Sabbath, Opeth, and Isis, which listening to the EP is understandable, the band creates a presence which still has a distinct intent and smothering touch particular to itself.
The opening title track is a provocative instrumental which initially just caresses and guides the listener through a strong and more than
decent emotive landscape which teases the imagination rather than ignites it. Soon sturdy rhythms and matching muscular riffs combine for an appealing draw whilst a gentle groove intervenes to test any resistance. The piece of music is a sneaky tempter though as all the time it is carefully luring in the listener, it is building up its intensity and a contagious bait truly ignited once the guitars unveil a delicious weave of melodic adventure and the rhythmic pressure of the track accelerates its strength and attack for a web of magnetic enterprise. It all merges for an eventual addiction soaked infectiousness across a bulky persuasion which ultimately is near on irresistible.
The following Green Sleeps instantly lumbers into view with thumping beats and dominant riffs, the bass alone a carnivorous predator within the compelling mix. Veined by a stoner bred sonic enticement that flares up and sears across the eight minute song against the strong varied vocals of Gaylard, there is little time taken before submission to its offering is complete, limbs and emotions eagerly prowling the fiery soundscape and lyrical call. The best track on the EP, the song like the release as a whole does not quite explode into the highest virulence as hinted at being within its scope, but with a continually shifting rhythmic entrapment and sonic adventure not forgetting imagination pushing experimentation, the track is a glorious calling card on the emotions from Valfader.
D-M-T next begins its ten minute journey with a reserved coaxing of the ears; vocals and melodies a gentle suasion which intrigues and incites attention before hotter sonic flames and deeper passion emerges from guitars and vocals respectively. Like the first track the song takes time to wholly evoke the passions but with absorbing evolution through its melodic breath and a challenging caging of the senses through the rapacious endeavour of drums and bass, there is little to stop its ultimate winning of thoughts and appetite.
The closing Sacred Spiral brings a chilled haunting depth to the doomy passage of invention. It is eleven minutes of consuming, intrusive sonic emprise led by an excellent rhythmic temptation, the drums a concise stalking of the senses whilst the bass adds its dark leviathan tones to the gripping expanse. With potent growls and scowls lining the vocals as guitars cast imaginative flames of melodic beauty and sonic daring, the track is a masterful quest for thoughts and heart.
As mentioned Whispers Of Chaos takes time to totally convince, though its initial contact certainly sparks a stirred up appetite, but emerges as an enthralling and impressively rigorous encounter which places Valfader as one of the brightest and promising heavy rock/metal bands in the UK. For fresh sludge/doom clad confrontation this is a release well worth investigating.
8/10
RingMaster 21/10/2013
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