A STORM OF LIGHT – As The Valley Of Death Becomes Us, Our Silver Memories Fade
- Posted on 28-10-2011
Doom metal and stoner rock converge with a post apocalyptic, fuzz box rock presence on this third full length from New York’s A Storm Of Light. Notable guests include ex-Swans Jarboe and Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil on ethereal songs like “Missing”, “Black Wolves” and “Death’s Head”. The quartet of Josh Graham on guitar and vocals, Domenic Seita on bass, Joel Hamilton on guitar and keyboards and newest drummer B.J. Graves level the playing field while they pummel your body with Neurosis-like movements, intertwining some of the atmosphere of Tool and Pink Floyd while also keeping things simpler in a Godflesh-type way.
Josh’s voice is one that has that post-grunge plaintive wail- drawing out the pain and anguish to mirror the arrangements. B.J. Graves offers counterpoint fills and almost progressive like play at times in comparison to the waves of brooding sound the Hamilton/Graham/Seita trio set forth on their stringed instruments. “As The Valley…” is an album that at times has hints of hope amidst the doom- the tranquil, clean Pink Floyd-like charm of “Destroyer” that soon navigates into a stirring, David Gilmour-ish heavier conclusion for one- but overall will not be an album for the quick fix, short attention span consumers.
I have to be in the right mood for A Storm Of Light- I’m not discounting the talent or songwriting excellence they display, but it’s not going to be an every day listening excursion for me. When the weight of the world is getting me down, “As The Valley…” should be the ideal turnaround soundtrack.