ValveDriver
Not every song requires vocals
Portland, United States
Joined : 25th Sep 2012 - 13 years ago
Last Online : 7th Nov 2025 - 1 week ago
Comments on ValveDriver tracks
Other users have posted 490 comments on tracks by ValveDriver
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
Take care.
V.
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
I apologize for the year long delay. But, better late than never, huh?
Thank you for the kind words. I think, for a 100% solo project, as far as the heavy metal engineering and mixing goes, that takes longer to perfect than the writing and composition of the track itself.
Take care.
V.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd by ValveDriver
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd by ValveDriver
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
Cru
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
Thank you again, it's always appreciated.
Take care.
V.
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
Suggesting that others could learn from my work is quite a compliment. Which would be a cool idea for a thread post. "Pick a looper, and break down one of their tracks." Then dissect it part by part as you describe your interpretation of it, or even on a technical level.
There is definitely a little Floyd in it. I think at this point, everything I do has just a touch somewhere in it. I dont think I can escape that!
Like I said to Neo, its good to hear that my arrangements are satisfactory. Sometimes, that's one of my biggest hangups.
Floyd and Metallica definitely count. Even though now-a-days Metallica isnt as high on my list of favorites, back in the day they were the top of the tier.
Thank you, Ed for continuously taking time to listen and comment. Your endless support and encouragement means a lot to me. Especially knowing that metal isnt at the top of your list!
Sincerely, do take care!
Aaron
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
Take care, V.
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
I forgot to mention a few things in my first comment. Dude, I have had to listen to this several times. Your playing has really evolved and I'm seriously amazed. I know your into a lot of different forms of Metal and as such, influenced by many bands but if I had to pick one this really reminds me of its Mastodon. The heavy rhythm chugs and fat notes sound very close especially tone wise and the mixture of Prog Rock/Metal, Psychedelia is yet another similarity. I'm hoping you are feverishly working on the next installment. Oh and yeah, danke makes a good point in reference to your extended track times and that maybe you may have to take up the mantle since it appears that StaticNomad has dropped off the grid. He once was the undisputed king, the so-called Looperman Long Shanks of track times but alas, it looks as though his reign has now come to an end and its time to name his successor. ( I'm laying it on thick here in case he reads this in hope to flush him out and goad him back into action, ha ha)! It surely looks like your up to the task. Ok bro, enough with the proverbial butt slapping and high fives. Get to work on part "Deux" brother !
You are correct about there being some serious nature out here. The bear thing, yeah, that's real, man. There have been a few times I was out and about and noticed that I wasn't alone. Once I was at this little mountain pond, walking around in the woods, and I looked down and saw some really fresh bear tracks. Around them, were smaller bear tracks. Which, as I'm sure you can guess, meant there was a mama bear and her cubs, and anyone who has any survival instincts at all knows...you come across mamma bear and her kiddo's...you get the hell out of Dodge. Which is exactly what I did.
The intro to this song is supposed to be an acoustic guitar. I was using Philharmonik VST. Not the greatest, but with a little creativity, I got it to sound fitting at least.
I'm relieved to hear that the transitions and leads were good. Those are the two things I have the hardest time with I can come up with rhythms and riffs all day long, but coming up with them so they flow together organically, that's the tricky part. Same with leads. Getting them to follow the song without just being a bunch of notes thrown together like a roll of the dice is really difficult for me. I'm just not a lead kind of guy.
"Your playing has really evolved and I'm seriously amazed."
Dude, that is a huge compliment, and means a lot! Thank you for that, man!
As far as the Mastodon influence...definitely. It wasn't a conscious thing, but much like Pink Floyd, I've listened to so much of them, it just kind of naturally comes out. As far as my "drumming" goes, Brann Dailor is by far one of my biggest influences.
I am in fact working on the next installment. It's not going to smooth at the moment. I kind of his a spot where it could go one of two ways, and I'm not really sure which way to choose. SO, I'm sitting on it for a week or so. Then I can go back and listen again. Once I do, I'll know exactly where to go with it.
I will pass on to StaticNomad that his empty throne has been filled. I've been trying to get him off his ass, too. Maybe this will be encouragement. If not, we'll have to start referring to him as StaticNowhereToBeFoundMad.
Tell ya what, man. Next time you head out this way, let me know. I'll take you out for a beer or something.
Take care, brother.
Aaron.
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
hats off as Leon showed, Danke
I am humbled by your kind words, my friend. It's always encouraging to hear such positive feedback. It inspires me to not only keep doing it, but to keep striving to do it better than the last one.
As always, I appreciate your feedback and always look forward to hearing from you.
Take care, sir.
Aaron
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
That's a bad ass track man.
I read your description before playing it and having visited your neck of the woods several times in the past, was reminded of one occasion when I ended up on an excursion with some friends from Portland. We piled into a van and headed into the forest on a dirt road for miles up some mountain to pick Huckle berries and mushrooms! I saw Bear warning signs along the road !! We got out and wandered into the woods and walked around for a few hours. Yeah it was beautiful, huge trees, rivers and lakes everywhere but I was scared shitless the whole time thinking I was going to end ripped to shreads by some man eating bear! Listening to this track and thinking back on that crazy adventure did stir some emotions, mainly fear and anxiety. There is definitely some serious nature there in Washington and Oregon no doubt.
But, back to the track. This thing plays like some kind of a metal rock opera. I seriously dig all the guitar variation here, particularly the melodic stuff. It also incorporates a nice mixture of styles from slow Doom/Melodic Death metal grooves to the more aggressive Hardcore/Metal Core blastbeat rhythms. Super tasty structuring throughout. Love that intro. Hard to tell if its acoustic guitar or a harpsicord (strings or keys), but its mighty cool all the same. Also some really nice articulation within those lead notes, the portamento slides and cross fades are sweet and really add some fabulous dimension. Aaron I gotta say you killed it here man. I was just digging each and every one of the transitions in here. Super heavy riffs in the outtro and I cant forget to mention the superb drum track, all combine to make this one awesome piece of metal music. I'm really looking forward to the next part of this one !
Back at'cha soon.
Aaron
on Moss Mother Part 1 - Sun by ValveDriver
Hat's off_____Leon
Thank you for your kind words and continuing support.
Take care.
Aaron
on Red On The White by ValveDriver
I've only recently joined the Looperman community and it's really inspiring to hear what you guys are doing. I'm a bedroom guitarist who enjoys playing along to these tracks. You've really nailed the PF sound on this one. I tried soloing over the top but in the end realised it didn't need my guitar as I was cluttering it up. Its spot on as it is. Really impressed. Well done and thanks.
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
as well and this one is no exception. It's true power pack of massive sound that you produce so damn well. Instant fav !
Compliments____Leon
First, thank you for the kind words. Knowing that metal isn't really in yiur list of favorites, it means a lot more that you still take the time to listen and comment.
As far as the industrial Valvedriver, stay tuned. Summer months generally bring out the metal in me. But, the colder winter months always seem to be when I do more of my darker, synth driven industrial style. I'm not sure why, though. That's just how it happens.
As always, I appreciate you stopping by, and always look forward to your input.
Take care, friend.
Aaron.
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
Aaron, I was only referring to the comparison to Kyuss. They go for a much more raw sound with their guitars with dirty distortion and heavily muted tones.
No man, I'm not complaining that it doesn't sound real enough. I'm not one of those guys. On the contrary, I love the sound on this and I'm pretty damn impressed and all in on someone that can produce virtual guitar at this level. By the way I have spent countless hours editing guitar tracks to remove string scrapes and pick noises etc. to clean things up. Sometimes it sounds cool but mores times than not it too obvious or annoying. I'm digging what your doing bro, keep it up.
Either way, man. I always look forward to what you have to say, and I'm always willing to accept pointers and advice, so whenever you might have some, throw it my way, mister!
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
I'm not sure what to say, getting that kind of praise from someone of your caliber makes my freakin day, man.
Man, I wish my hair would grow back after listening to it! I know metal isn't real high on your list of preferred genres, so it means even more to me that you still swing by and listen.
I think having found and learned the Shreddage vst was a really good rhing for me. Metal IS my favorite genre. And while I had a lot of fun with the electronic, synth based stuff from my early days here, being able to create the music I love just makes it so much easier. It just flows so much more freely.
As far as dusting off the ol' Takamine...do it! I dare ya! ;)
Ed, you take care, and as always, I truly appreciate your feedback.
Aaron.
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
Yeah, it's all digital all the time with this boy.
Honestly, I never really got into Kyuss. I love the music, but the guys voice just doesn't do it for me. Which is the case for a lot of bands.
Forgive my ignorance, but By "...too clean" do you mean tones and productuon, or the lack of fret noises and other organic artifacts that come from live guitars, or are they too perfectly timed due to being programed in a DAW, or all the above?
I'm glad you like this one. I always look forward to your reviews, man. Thank you!
Take care, my friend.
Aaron.
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
Ronabo
Thanks again.
Take care.
V.
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
Take care.
V.
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
Fav from the first second...this is like a slow Kyuss jam in the rehearsal room with high quality...maybe that guy below could send some Garcia like vocs on this...
excellent track, congrats and hail for metal...hope all is well...Danke
I hope all is well with you.
Take care my friend.
Aaron.
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
Take care.
V.
on Swampking- with Bicky Stalls And The Snushbakes by ValveDriver
tv
I appreciate the kind words. Especially from someone with your level of talent. Thanks, man.
Take care. V.