Valis
Vast Active Living Intelligence System
7
When a disc such as Valis' Vast Active Living Intelligence System comes along featuring former members of Screaming Trees and Mudhoney I know that because I am so fucking metal and a full-on supporter of the underground that by unwritten law I am supposed to immediately not like it. Let me explain, both of the aforementioned bands have basked in semi-commercial success and also lets not forget that these same bands hail from the home of pure metal-kryptonite, Seattle.( Ya, ya Nevermore resides here as well I know) So you have two very significant reasons weighing against all that is metal, correct? Here's my dilemma, I fucking like this album even though the metal radar points in all directions of run not walk as fast as I can to the nearest troo release from Norway. I am strangely grooving on the Valis pure fuzzed out guitar smothered stoner rock experience which upon each listen gets my blood pumping everytime. The formula is rather simple but fully effective, big ass guitars and goddamn it lets fuzz the fuck out of them. These are riffs that infect your beer guzzling stupor with full force leaving your head bobbing and arms working the air gee-tar. Will Valis win an award in the lines of technical make-up, I sure as hell don't think so but every tune within Vast Active Living Intelligence System smacks around a hook that hits and hits hard and my guess is no matter how fucking metal you perceive yourself to be given the right situation they will break through your meager force field only to infect your mojo with that fat fucking spleef you so deserve. Smoke up motherfuckers and let the stone groove take affect, leave the metal grimace at home and take it at face value. This is definitely not a disc to over evaluate and once you get that through your skull everything will be good to go. The jams are exactly that, Jams. The whole affair reminds me of a smoky ass run down bar where the cliental exclusively wear bell bottoms and jean jackets, no frills straight forward "rawk". Bottom Line: Is Valis metal, hell no. In fact I don't even think they are reminiscent of metal unless possibly you categorize some of those earlier Zeppelin riffs as metal. So my words to you are don't even think you are buying metal when it comes to Valis. What you are buying is some solid fucking jams that hold up throughout the whole disc which makes for an easy listening and actual entertaining experience everytime. I'm sold on Valis and will stay tuned to what transpires with this band. They have a bright future if they remain to create tunes that keep my attention at bay like the ones found on Vast Active Living Intelligence System.
