Album Review: Sky Valley Mistress - Faithless Rituals
Reviewed by Tim Finch
“I just wanna tell you guys a little somethin’ about this record. Somethin’ that you really need to know. I want this to perforate your eardrums, have a fight inside your head and leave a slow burnin’ fire in the darkest part of your mind. That will never let you forget what will be embedded inside you forever”
The spoken words of Dave Catching (QOTSA, Eagles of Death Metal) are used as the opening to this new album from Sky Valley Mistress. The Lancashire quartet are still youngsters but have been working the roads of the U.K. for years now building a following, show by show, fan by fan.
A chance meeting with Dave at an Eagles of Death Metal gig lead to his involvement with the band and this new recording. He invited them over to his legendary studio at Rancho de la Luna. The result of the ten day trip is this new opus ‘Faithless Rituals’.
Following the spoken word introduction the band really kicks in. Fuzzy guitars and bass on ‘You Got Nothin’ draw you straight in, its Kyuss but with an old school sound. But before you make any preconceptions, a carbon copy of the stoner legends this is not, it has a lighter feel, a little main stream rock maybe. However it is Kayley’s vocals that give the band a distinctive sound.
As we progress through ‘Lost in Shock’ and ‘Punk Song’ you get a feel for this band and their album. It’s best described as dirty American rock. Elements of stoner, blues and hard rock thrown into the mix and Sean’s fuzz fuelled guitar giving the depth and warmth to the song writing.
‘Skull & Pistons’ jumps out at you, Dave Catching guesting on this track. The additional guitar adding to the sound which is a battering ram to the senses. Magically encompassed by Kayley’s inspiring vocal performance.
In recent years bands like Alunah and Kroh have broken into the scene. Roots in a doom metal sound but their vocalist giving them an edge on their respected genres. Sky Valley Mistress are similar in some respects, their sound not too dissimilar to those bands but not as dark, more appealing to a wider audience. If your a fan of stoner, blues, doom and straight up rock and roll I challenge you not to fall in love with this bands sound!
Sky Valley Mistress release 'Faithless Rituals on 20th March via New Heavy Sounds
Did you catch Sky Valley Mistress when they got ship wrecked on Devil's Island? Check it out here.
