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REVIEW – Progressive metal fusion quartet VALENCE’s new album, Cognitive Dissidents, is out Friday, April 12 via Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify. Expertly fusing genres like metal, rock, jam, classical, jazz, and more, VALENCE’s varied yet cohesive influences offer every listener a passport to a new state of mind that is cerebral and emotive, while not sacrificing accessibility.
Cognitive Dissidents, the ambitious follow up to their Independent Music Award-winning 2014 EP, Laser Baron, was recorded and produced at Westfall Studios in Long Island, NY.
Check out videos featuring tracks from Cognitive Dissidents here:
VALENCE wastes no time in launching Cognitive Dissidents with the lead single “Damnit, Lana!”, setting the course for what is about to be one hell of a ride. The song features fast heavy jazzy progressive music that will take the listeners mind on a strange trip. The second track “Prelude: Parlance of Our Time” utilizes classical sounds that envelope the listeners senses, then a solid bear takes over and has you up and dancing! The next track “I. If You’re Not Into the Whole Brevity Thing” features searing guitars and a very intriguing pounding rhythm that just seeps into you. The fourth track “II. Calmer Than You Are” is musical masterpiece that builds and grows like an avalanche getting heavier and heavier all the way ’til the end.
The fifth track of ‘Cognitive Dissidents’ is “III. Preferred Nomenclature” which has avery unique progressive jazzy feel and features some amazing musicianship. The next track “Walrus” rumble around with a thumping bass and swirling keys and jazzy riffs that build into some interesting rhythms that you can just kick back and relax to. The closing track of ‘Cognitive Dissidents’ utilizes slow melancholic notes that just flow in the are then turn into a heavy progressive metal masterpiece!
Rather than utilizing samples, bassist Wilhelmus Sapanaro performed upright bass and cello and guitarist Michael Buonanno performed violin and viola on Cognitive Dissidents to maintain an organic sound.
VALENCE has performed across the eastern United States and Canada with artists like Scale The Summit, Sarah Longfield, Consider The Source, Felix Martin and more, and will soon expand their national footprint later in 2019. In the meantime, VALENCE has several U.S. performances booked this winter and spring. See below for all confirmed tour dates:
VALENCE is: Michael Buonanno – Guitar, Violin, Viola, Geoffrey Schaefer – Guitar, Wilhelmus Sapanaro – Bass, Upright Bass, Cello, Chris Romano – Drums
VALENCE online:
www.valence.band
www.facebook.com/valencemusic
www.valence.bandcamp.com
www.youtube.com/valenceband
