VALIS ABLAZE | Render | Album Review

In the world of progressive metal, and especially in djent circles, there are special bands to be found that easily surprise you with what they're able to create. That's basically what happened when I discovered up-and-coming band Valis Ablaze last year. Fresh off the release of their monumental debut album "Boundless" in the spring of 2018, the band has returned rather quickly to deliver their sophomore disc "Render". Many bands that release an album very quickly after a preceding album have the potential of failing to bring anything new or expansive to the table, especially when the preceding record is still fresh on a person's mind. Valis Ablaze, however, have an impressive amount of potential to hit another home run as evidenced by the description on the album's Bandcamp page. After it describes the band as a progressive metal act seeking to deliver a "intriguing alternative" from the standards of the genre, as well as pointing out the band's ingenuity and complexity, it describes "Render" as a record that "pushes past the obstacles listeners may find with a concept album and aims to find a favourite song for everyone". The James Paul Wisner mixed album is meant to be examined in similar fashion to the debut, however like any promising band there seems to be an aspiration to try new things and bring them into their already excellent sound, whether that be upping the melody or including new elements altogether.

"Render" was promoted by two main singles entitled "Proxy" and "Hollow Heart". In my opinion, you could not find a better duo of tracks to promote an album. These two tracks are stellar and provide excitement for anyone who happens to hear them before the album's release. "Proxy", which appears as track 7 on this 10-track affair, was the first single to be dropped from "Render" and it's a track that succeeds on every level imaginable. Going for a radio format with typical djenty riff patterns, "Proxy" has more substance to it than most songs peaking in the highest regions of the rock charts so far in 2019. The verses are well paced and melodic and the chorus is instantly recognizable and able to get any listener amped. Lines such as "These parasites have been unleashed and we're the host" prove that the band are also excellent songwriters as well as lead vocalist Phil Owen gives an excellent performance. That is furthered in "Hollow Heart", a track not too far off from Valis Ablaze's typical fare but with the same level of energy. These riffs are so well calculated throughout the song it's insane and the way the song is paced is truly unique while still providing what fans want. Phil Owen also expands his voice throughout the song going into a higher vocal register and it's equally as passionate as the phenomenal music involved. It's hard to choose which single sticks out more since both excel on their own merits, but I feel like I'm not explaining enough how good these songs are and this review isn't doing it justice. 

Going into the rest of the album, there's more music that follows in the same vein of the sound they kickstarted on their first album and that is definitely a positive. "The Convincer" is a prime example of this, sharing similarities to Tesseract with quiet sections that leads into heavy but passionate sections and even a few delectable djenty riffs. Other tracks such as "Keyframes" and "States Of Decay" are pretty much the same experience. The most noticeable aspect however is how well this album starts and how well it ends as well. Opening track "Neon Dreaming" sets the standard immediately with well executed riffs and a catchy hook in the chorus that fits so well with the instrumental aspect of the song, but it's really the closing track entitled "Elevation" that needs to get some form of attention. It's a duet with a female vocalist named White Dove and it ends the album just as well as it starts. Comparatively, this song is a bit reminiscent of "The Static Between Us" on the debut album, as it provides the same excellent instrumentalization, with the big difference being the section where White Dove takes over on vocals. There is even a slower track here named "Saturation" that starts off quietly before building up into a louder section. This is proof that the band is able to expand their musical palette by implementing unique ideas and still being able to deliver a solid record. It's not perfect, but this is one of those albums where when the material on it gets good, it gets REALLY good, and you'd be hard pressed to deny that Valis Ablaze should be known to more music fans. 

I will admit that I did have my expectations a little bit too high for this album, which is primarily due to the fact that this band is relatively new and I wanted something that fired on every cylinder imaginable. Truth be told, there are a couple of moments that are not as well done as others. "Ascent" while featuring more of the same well brewed rhythms and musicianship, not to mention a great solo at the end from Sam Bell of Mask Of Judas, has an awkward section in the middle with screamed vocals that don't blend as well with the music. Same goes for the track "Infinite World". And in the grand scheme of things, there are better tracks than others. Cuts like "Neon Dreaming" and the lead single "Proxy" stand out much more than "States Of Decay" and even "The Convincer". But, even  with tracks that are weaker in comparison to others, there is still an intense amount of effort put into the final project. Every track here belongs on the album and fits with the overall theme and the tone of the music being played. The performances from each member of the band on this album are stellar and it once again shows that Valis Ablaze are worth checking out. Overall, "Render" is a fantastic second entry in Valis Ablaze's discography. If you are in any way a fan of Tesseract or any other band that sounds like them and are looking for some seriously good music amongst the genre, it's fitting to render this album as spectacular. 

RATING: 8/10 

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