Valhalla Smith  - All The Pieces of The Desert EP

Valhalla Smith have a mission - in the words of Drummer Matt Thompsett “to break out of playing for beer money” – and with a pedigree behind the band members that includes Bloodstock, Ozzfest and a platinum record, there’s enough on this 5 track EP to suggest they have every chance of achieving just that.

The first track ‘Portion of Blame’ sporting good production (for a self-release), clever songwriting and Rich Watkins’ distinctive vocals leaves you wanting more, and hoping the band can go up a gear.

And that’s exactly what they do with ‘All the Pieces’.  Taking a heavier groove, this is a ‘wow’ track, deserving play after play on max volume, and sets the tone for the rest of the EP better perhaps than the opening song.

‘Put to Sleep’ starts off promising to do just that (ok, maybe not quite!)….but then kicks in with a gloriously dirty riff that asks your iPod if it’s got an 11 setting.

The quality of the playing is superb – demonstrated best on ‘Knuone’.  The beautifully deep bassline, clever but fitting drumming, well worked lead guitar building and building into a colossal song that has class stamped all over it.

What I really like about this EP is that the bands influences, as revealed to Rockpulse by Matt - including AC/DC, Tool, Meshuggah, Joe Bonamassa, Led Zeppelin and Rush are not immediately apparent – Valhalla Smith have their own unique, and great, sound.  A very homegrown sound - reminding me of the authentic British feel that nineties band Peach* had.   (*yes, sorry, a bit obscure but the bassist did go on to join the mighty Tool!)

Rich Watkins’ voice, especially in the EP’s mid-tempo moments, reminds me of the late Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon.  What Watkins does really well is to upscale his voice for the heavier songs, without losing clarity or feeling, which gives the EP’s songs a common thread that is so pleasing.

And finally, what of the name Valhalla Smith?  Again, in Matt’s own words “The band name came from just wanting to basically have the epicness of a word like Valhalla with all it's background and meaning to match up with an everyday common surname such as Smith. (To) show that the band can be big and in your face but still have that basic ingredient and common values people can relate to musically.”

The bottom line is, if you like your rock a little quirky, with a distinctive heavy edge then you’ll love Valhalla Smith. 

Check out Valhalla Smith’s next gig – this Saturday 15^th October at Warwick Uni Student Union Rock Night.

For more details see their Facebook page here…