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Review:
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Poland has a long history of loving prog rock going
back to the days before the curtain fell and pioneers like
Pendragon were one of the few Western European bands to
explore this untapped market, becoming very successful in
the process. Vena Valley started out in 2003 (recording
a demo debut), I believe that the album was recorded back
in 2007 but not released until last year, and I have been
desperately trying to get hold of a copy since I first heard
them some months ago. Leading from the front is Justyna
Krysiak, a sultry, striking, blonde bombshell with an excellent,
expressive, pop-rock voice.***
Their music hovers around Porcupine Tree, Riverside,
Muse, Ayreon and Touchstone. They pack a hell of a lot into
each of the songs which all last around the four minute
mark - lots of great melodies and hooks; atmospheric keys,
sounds and effects; glistening and meaty guitars; changes
of power, pace and intensity; a mix of the dreamy, funky,
jazzy, driving and pounding; all of which makes it fascinating
to listen to. The crowning glory is the final cut ‘Libido’,
an awesome cracker of a tune that will stay in your head
long after disc stops spinning, I have put the official
video for it on the blog http://thefemalevoices.blogspot.com/
for your delectation and delight. It is all topped off with
top quality production and sound – crystal clear, powerful
and beautifully balanced.***
Don’t ask me how to get a copy outside Poland, I had
to borrow one from John at Progressiveland, but you can
start with their Myspace http://www.myspace.com/venavalley
and the record company at http://www.insanity-records.pl/
, if you succeed you will be rewarded with a rare treat.
They inhabit a world not too dissimilar to Muse, they’ve
got the looks, hooks and melodies that will appeal to the
mainstream, but their music is intelligent enough for the
prog crowd, meaty enough for metal fans, and with a gothic
edge that will attract those who love gothic rock/metal.
I’m off for a swing in their playground, 9 out of 10.
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