Blackened Arena Rock? Melancholic Grunge n’ Roll? Valletta’s anthemic approach to songwriting and energetic stage performance certainly makes you wonder. The band’s forthcoming full-length debut album, “Summer”, seeks to incinerate metal norms and create a new sound that is as grimey as it is electrifying!
Watch the official video for the album’s lead single “Ill Blood” below.
Valletta comes with an impressive pedigree. The band features drummer Justin Valletta (Mo’ynoq), bassist & backing vocalist Donald Boyd (Mo’ynoq), guitar & lead vocalist Keenan Carroll (Lord Almighty, ex-Barishi), and guitarist & backing vocalist Will Goodyear (Hopesfall, Prayer for Cleansing, ex-Between The Buried and Me).
Metal Hammer called the band’s debut EP, “Come Alive”: “A potent mix of Celtic Frost, Satyricon and The Bronx, this is fantastically catchy, bleak, old-school extreme metal with rock‘n’roll hooks”.
“Summer” takes that penetrating foundational mix and supercharges the musicianship and songwriting, resulting in 12 tracks guaranteed to leave neurological imprints!
The band released the following statement about “Summer”:
“The new album, ‘Summer’, has been a real exploration in tearing down walls that we had previously built up over the years. Each of us coming from different musical backgrounds, there’s been this strong sense of letting go and allowing the music to unfold, regardless of how uncomfortable it may be. That’s been the beauty of this journey we’ve started together, and it’s been a great ride so far!
During the writing process, a constant theme that emerged was the idea of duality. From heavier, grimier riffs to beautiful, stoic melodies. From slower, muddy depths to faster, anthemic leads. From frozen wastelands, to summer nights, we’ve been on a journey to explore our limitations musically and emotionally. Spin that shit up”!
“Summer” will be released on CD, vinyl, and digital formats on October 4th, 2024, via Forcefield Records. Get it here.
Tracklist:
1. Kissing Angels
2. Serpents of Solomon
3. Saint
4. Diving into the Deep
5. Criminal
6. Soot & Ash
7. Ill Blood
8. In Ecstasy
9. On the Run
10. Bringing the Worst
11. Come Alive
12. Almighty Hate
The vinyl version of “Summer” contains five instrumental synthesizer bonus tracks that serve as interludes.
Album Credits:
• Recorded and mixed by Al Jacob at Warrior Sound, Chapel Hill, NC.
• Mastered by Matt Tuttle at IAS Studios, Winston Salem, NC.
• Cover Art by Will Goodyear.
Line-up:
Justin Valletta – Drums
Donald Boyd – Bass / Backing Vocals
Keenan Carroll – Guitar / Lead Vocals
Will Goodyear – Guitar / Backing Vocals
