Vallenbrosa
Encyclopedia
Vallenbrosa is a metal
band from Petersfield
, Hampshire
in Southern England
formed in late 2002. Their members include Nik Taylor-Stoakes (vocals), Simon McCarthy (lead guitar), Steve Stidolph (rhythm guitar), Russ Smith (Bass) and Dave Baker (Drums). As of 2006, they had released two albums, both were self-released, called "Silenced" and "Hessian Mercenaries". Singles from these albums include "Still Breathing" and "The Hessian".
Influences
Vallenbrosa cite their influences from bands such as Pantera
, Alice in Chains
, Down
, Faith No More
and others. For instance, there is a distinct similarity to early Corrosion of Conformity
, particularly elements of the lead guitar work of both Simon McCarthy and Steven Stidolph on single "The Hessian". The over-all sound has been described as "southern - style sludge".
Recent Events
In 2007, Vallenbrosa supported Sepultura's Dante XI World Tour. Following this, their self-released album Hessian Mercenaries was well received by fans and by Metal Hammer Magazine who noted that "Vallenbrosa are capable of expressing rage without resorting to stereotypical sonic violence". In September they were on the bill for butserfest
. They played alongside Elliot Minor and Furthest Drive Home.
In 2008 they garnered interest from Dave Mustaine
of Megadeth
, despite losing the supporting slot of Megadeth
's 2008 European Tour of Duty to British thrash metallers Evile
. Since then Vallenbrosa are under America's New World Artist Management, but currently remain unsigned.
They are currently recording their new album as of 2008 with Pete Miles in Devon, UK which is then due to be mixed in August 2008 in Nashville, USA by Rob Coates and Vlado Meller, with a follow up gig at Nottingham Rock City on August 30. They will also be performing with Malefice
on 19 July at the Gedfest Festival Hall in Petersfield "Rock City". They are also on the bill for Butserfest
on the 12th September having played last year too.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Petersfield
Petersfield
Petersfield can refer to any of the following places:*Petersfield, Hampshire, a market town in England*Petersfield, Jamaica, a small town in the parish of Westmoreland*Petersfield, Manitoba, in Canada*Petersfield, an area of Cambridge, England...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
in Southern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
formed in late 2002. Their members include Nik Taylor-Stoakes (vocals), Simon McCarthy (lead guitar), Steve Stidolph (rhythm guitar), Russ Smith (Bass) and Dave Baker (Drums). As of 2006, they had released two albums, both were self-released, called "Silenced" and "Hessian Mercenaries". Singles from these albums include "Still Breathing" and "The Hessian".
Influences
Vallenbrosa cite their influences from bands such as Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
, Down
Down
Down may refer to:* Relative direction, where down is the direction towards the centre of gravity of a celestial object.* Railroad directions, where down and up have locally significant meanings...
, Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
and others. For instance, there is a distinct similarity to early Corrosion of Conformity
Corrosion of Conformity
Corrosion of Conformity is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina formed in 1982. For almost the majority of its existence, the band has consisted of guitarist Woody Weatherman, bassist Mike Dean , drummer Reed Mullin and vocalist and rhythm...
, particularly elements of the lead guitar work of both Simon McCarthy and Steven Stidolph on single "The Hessian". The over-all sound has been described as "southern - style sludge".
Recent Events
In 2007, Vallenbrosa supported Sepultura's Dante XI World Tour. Following this, their self-released album Hessian Mercenaries was well received by fans and by Metal Hammer Magazine who noted that "Vallenbrosa are capable of expressing rage without resorting to stereotypical sonic violence". In September they were on the bill for butserfest
Butserfest
Butserfest is a festival created by East Hampshire District Council. This music festival is targeted at young people aged 14-20 and is an alcohol/drug free event. It has become an annual event due to its success in 2007. It is held on Butser Hill opposite Queen Elizabeth's Country Park near...
. They played alongside Elliot Minor and Furthest Drive Home.
In 2008 they garnered interest from Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
of Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, despite losing the supporting slot of Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
's 2008 European Tour of Duty to British thrash metallers Evile
Evile
Evile is a thrash metal band from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. Their debut album, Enter the Grave, was produced by Flemming Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark and was released worldwide in 2007 by Earache Records to critical acclaim by fans and critics...
. Since then Vallenbrosa are under America's New World Artist Management, but currently remain unsigned.
They are currently recording their new album as of 2008 with Pete Miles in Devon, UK which is then due to be mixed in August 2008 in Nashville, USA by Rob Coates and Vlado Meller, with a follow up gig at Nottingham Rock City on August 30. They will also be performing with Malefice
Malefice
Malefice are a British heavy metal band from Reading, Berkshire, England, formed in 2003.-Band history:They were formed by friends at college and started to write their songs straight away. Their first major break was to open a four band bill charity gig at the Rivermead Centre in Reading...
on 19 July at the Gedfest Festival Hall in Petersfield "Rock City". They are also on the bill for Butserfest
Butserfest
Butserfest is a festival created by East Hampshire District Council. This music festival is targeted at young people aged 14-20 and is an alcohol/drug free event. It has become an annual event due to its success in 2007. It is held on Butser Hill opposite Queen Elizabeth's Country Park near...
on the 12th September having played last year too.