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 Overmyth I - Inception Of The Truth by ValveDriver
I recognise this title. It's one of the 50,000 rejected Slupergroup names.
Cool, long, slow organy intro.
0:21 awesome wobbly, detuned guitar note. 0:42 another. 0:50 that high note really stands out.
1:04 cool distortion and big crash.
1:25 slow, plodding stonervalves for a while.
2:08 distortion returns. Drums have a reasonably thin sound but that's not necessarily a complaint. A bit of a 70s vibe there.
2:29 nice lead. No one will know this track didn't involve someone actually doing some guit fiddlin'.
A pleasant epic, anthemic sound, especially from the awesome lead guitar. Don't know how the software works or how you're adding all those realistic bends and accurate guitar player touches.
3:55 back down for some slow, plodding stoner chill. Quite psychedelic.
Next thing to really stand out is 5:20 and the low chugging.
6:14 nice lead screaming and then some nice, dirty, low riffage progression.
You can headbang to this now.
The low chugging and lead work come together nicely for the last few minutes in a pleasing and very realistic far out metal onslaught. Not really that heavy a track but that doesn't matter.
Congrats on this NTB. Have a large, solid metal trophy as a reward.
I forgot to say that while you were away being Mr Sloe and killing Mr Sloe I made my heaviest ever track. Press play for some nice swing metal from a few months ago:
Fist Bumps Of Fury
https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/180944
Static MetalMad
Yes, this title is a reject. I really liked it, and I'm kind if glad it was rejected.
I had originally used a more melidic organy intro, but in the end, I liked the sustained droning thing. It feels a little more hypnotic and capturing to me.
1:04. Kind of a preview of what's to come. An unofficial opening of the door, if you will.
2:08 I wasn't intentionally going for thin percussion, but like you said, it has a 70's-ish thing, so I just let it ride.
2:29 I'm glad to hear the lead worked. Leads are my least comfortable thing ti attempt. Being mire of a rythym guy, they often times feel to calculated and forced to me.
The bends are used with a reconfigured midi controller and painstakingly drawn in manually within the piano roll.
3:55 I've always loved the tom heavy breakdowns that Ufomammut and Yob use. It always makes for a good break while keeping the energy moving. It seemed like a good spot to put in some psychedellic guitfiddlin.
5:20 the low chugging seemed like a good way to start rebuilding the transition from the calmer break into the more intense final section.
6:14 In the first part of the track I had the left guitar track playing an octave lower than the right. In the second half, I had the right playing the same lower octave to give a little heavier feel. The overall track really isn't that heavy, like you said. But to the masses who aren't or haven't been exposed to a lot of what we have been, it us. I mean, most people think Metalluxa is heavy. But we know better, right?
I'll wear the trophy on a big gold chain around my neck as inspiration for my next track. It's a bluegrass/gangster rap hybrid. Should be a real banger.
I'll head over and give your track a listen right now.
Cheers.
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
is not a joke...and it's done and executed brilliantly...just the way
we've all been used to get the lesson from Valve Driver. I hope this
masterpiece forecasts much more to come...Excellent!
Compliments and respect_____Orlando
First of all, thank you for checking this one out. I know it's not exactly your kind of music, so it means a lot that you did.
There is definitely more to come. Some will be like this one, some will be straight up heavy metal, and there's even a few that I don't know what the hell you'd call it. Just....Valvedriver.
Take care, my friend. I hope life is treating you well.
Aaron.
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
I would definitely think industrial when hearing this, though I agree with the dubstep and DnB references. I was interested regarding your reply "It's not the typical industrial BPM, but it dies fit." I've never thought of industrial as having a typical tempo. Did you think that this was too slow, or too fast for typical industrial? Possibly it is the metalhead difference, since those who dig metal the most seem to listen to a different sort of industrial compared to those who are not metalheads. I listen to a good amount of pure industrial which is quite a bit slower than this, and also some which is much faster... so it's hard to judge what's up,
Either way I liked the idea for the song. Some cool riff based passages, and noisy industrial drums. I did find the mixing to be very mono-tone... Like all of the instruments were fighting for the same octave. Possibly this was due to after the fact processing though, I don't know.
Was very fun to hear some new work from you, and I hope to hear more!
Thanks for taking the time to comment. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.
" Did you think that this was too slow, or too fast for typical industrial?"
I thought it was too fast. If I remember correctly, most industrial is usually about 120-130 bpm. This is running at 140. So, it's not a lot faster, but faster than typical.
You make a good point about meatalheads and their preferences towards industrial. I know I tend to lean more towards the Ministry, Skinny Puppy, KMFDM, side. usually that with more guitars than synths.
You also made a very good point about everything fighting for the same octave. I was going for heavy and relentless, but after going back, it could definitely use a little more in the higher range.
"...and I hope to hear more."
There is definitely more in store. I've been on a block for about a year. I've started a lot of tracks, but got nowhere with them. But it seems as if the block is, at the very least, temporarily lifted.
It was good to hear from you again, mister.
Take care.
Aaron.
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
I had to log in to give this it's props.
Not a normal behavior for me but I implore you to check out some of my work, I get the feeling you won't regret it.
I would recommend for you these two:
https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/174722 Yog-Sothoth
https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/180143 Slimebolt
I'm only listening on my headphones (KRK 8400s) right now, so take this with a pinch of salt, but I feel the bottom end could do with a boost, I know it's difficult managing sub in this type of production but with a few techniques, it's possible and my god is it powerful.
Feel free to shoot me a message if you feel I could help any :)
I'll be browsing your page when time permits, phenomenal work dude.
First, thank you! I'm glad you liked it.
I will take a listen to your tracks as soon as I get home.
I recently deleted most of my work here. I like to keep a clean house, so to speak. But if you want to hear the rest of my work, find me (Valvedriver) on Soundcloud. I have all my tracks up there. It's a pretty eclectic mix.
I'll take another listen to this to check the lower end. But if you're using KRK's there's a good chance you're not picking it up. I know mine have a hard time with the low end. Either way, I'll definitely look into it. Thank you for the suggestion.
Again, thanks for the kindness.
Take care.
V.
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
Cru Cru Cray Cray!
Thanks, man. Good to be back.
I can't let the place start getting too pretty. Gotta keepvsome grit about.
Laters.
Aaron.
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
Just out of sheer curiosity, what is it that you thought I was trying to do? I like to hear different perspectives. What's yours?
Thanks again.
Take care.
V.
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
Digital sludge! Very apocalyptic and chugging. Cymbals fill the air and keep the energy high. Maybe too electronic and glitchy for me, but fucking powerful.
Calmer section sounds good and gives some relief from the onslaught, before it's sheltering safety is ripped away for more anger.
Good to hear from you again. It's good to have the VD!
Take care.
Evan
"It's good to have the VD"
I'm pretty sure this is the only place you can say that as a good thing.
It may seem weird, but I really believe that the "Sloedirt" persona was so far out of sync with what I try to create that it was actually hindering me. You know, that whole body, mind, soul alignment horseshit.
Take care, hombre.
Aaron
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
dear god, this is a monster horror underground with zombie faces and brutal metalheadz, though there is no guitar anywhere...apocalypse...0.55 that is a f...ing heavy synth riff for the beginners...it has to be like this...
attack, monstrosity, elements, paint and the number 1. picture looking down for us, poor servants...
I survived this and hope we get more cause we need pain...:-)
but this is a beautiful pain...
welcome back Master
handshake, Danke
This is a brutal piece, indeed! I likw how you described it! It is kind of an underground apocalyptic survival sound.
I will be back with the pain! Life is beginning to return to a normal pace. So I should be able to focus more on music again.
Thank you again, brother. It's good to be back.
Take care.
Aaron
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
He has risen !
With an "I dare you to piss me off" killer stare avatar and a ground pounding coordinated strategic assault of a track that literally cuts a path between your ears big enough to drive a tank through !
I love every inch of this thing bro and I'll be damned if you haven't done it again. It isn't dubstep, and it ain't drum and bass. Its a whole new animal, a whole new breed, and it's out for blood. Right from the gate you realize this things got attitude and its all bad. The drums pound out a relentless cadence that's a combination of a viking ship row master and a fucking tommy gun. Wicked dubstep wobbles and growls leap from one side to the other in a distorted mechanized frenzy amid some of the most sinister and prime-evil sounding synth I've heard in quite awhile. Its a suicide roller coaster ride that the only way off is to jump. But who wants to take the easy way out? If i'm going out, i'm going out sreamin' !
Haha, in case it isn't obvious, I'm pretty fuckin happy to see you back bro. Nice tune.
That avatar picture is from a set of portraits, (not selfies, but actual portraits with an actual camera), I did a couple years ago. It's subject was the ugly, dirty, gritty side of life. This one had the ficused drive that seemed to fit my approach toward my new life, and my music.
"a combination of a viking ship row master and a fucking tommy gun."
That's a great analogy!
I also love the idea of a suicide rollercoaster. If you haven't used that for a track title yet, you should now!
Thanks for the warm welcome, my friend. It's good to be producing again.
Take care, man
Aaron
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
I've been a diehard metal fan across nearly all sub-genres since about 1985. Oddly enough, I've never listened to Incantation. Not by any choice, it just never happened. I may have change that!
More dark tunes to come!
Take care
Aaron
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
Oh look - you actually are Mr V again, driving some more dirty dubstep valves. And with a new, scary, scowling avatar.
This is fairly oppressive, brutal, dark stuff right from the first evil crash. Kind of metalstep but without any guitar. Certainly a fat, brutal crunch, with repeated blows to the skull. Onward toward the crucifixion!
0:55 that's a pretty dark and trippy, heavy reverb lead.
This is very dark, druggy music. People would enjoy going mental to it in clubs. You can really dance to it as the groove is good and the vibe is really fucked up.
Good breaks and pauses in this to break up what is essentially one consistent idea. Except for 2:36 where there's a new vibe. Just as relief from the oppressive earlier stuff.
3:03 oh what a surprise that it comes back even more brutal. I thought it was going to go into some gentle country. Or gay disco.
End section is perhaps a little brief but it's a pretty concise track. A short, sharp shock to the system. Very well produced so I don't really have any criticisms.
Can you believe that this particular Nomad has actually made a bit of dubstep? Of course there are a whole bunch of other genres and moodsin this recent epic but there are definite dubstep and cellstep sections for you to groove to. Not dark, though.
This Time All The Time
https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/183076
Later, Mr Crucifier...
Yes. The Sloe persona served it's purpose through a period that I needed it. I no longer do.
It's a scowl, but it's a pure one.
0:55- it's basically just a reese bass that I took a little further by adjusting the wavetables of each oscilator for a nice mix of harmonics and detuning.
Honestly, I get a laugh out of thinking of people dancing to this. I imagine them slightly confused as to whether they should actually be dancing, or moshing instead. I see them standing there looking at each other shrugging in confusion.
3:03- I'm sure you were thoroughly surprised.
I was going to use some gentle, gay country discostep on that last part, but you don't have any of your files in dropbox that really fit the vibe for sampling. So, I went with what you hear. Maybe next time.
I will listen to your mellowcellostep track after I catch up on replies.
Later Cello Biafra.
on Onward Toward Golgotha by ValveDriver
good job .
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd by ValveDriver
great work.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd by ValveDriver
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd by ValveDriver
Take care.
Sloe
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd by ValveDriver
Peace
Dj Swindla
Thanks for the kind words. If you dig the darker side of music, you should check out the rest of my work. Darkness is kind of "my thing." As far as making dubstep great again, that's a pretty big compliment. It's not really my preferred genre, but I really like to incorporate dubstep elements into what I do.
I'm sure you'll hear more in the future.
Take care.
Sloe.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd by ValveDriver
Love the bass also.
- Fl4zh
Thank you for the kind words.
Take care.
Sloe
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd by ValveDriver
Thank you for taking the time to listen and comment. It's always appreciated!
Take care.
Sloe.
on Yours Within -ft NanuNanu by ValveDriver
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it.
Take care. V.
on Yours Within -ft NanuNanu by ValveDriver
on Yours Within -ft NanuNanu by ValveDriver
TA
on Yours Within -ft NanuNanu by ValveDriver
on Yours Within -ft NanuNanu by ValveDriver
Compliments and respect_____Orlando
Thank you for the kind words. It's good to know it kept you focused. That's actually something I worry about with my tracks. That they get boring or too repetitive. So, usefull feedback from you, sir!
Thank you, again.
Take care.
Aaron
on Yours Within -ft NanuNanu by ValveDriver
Brado
I'm glad you liked this one. Thanks for bringing the mids to my attention. I'll get back in there and tweak them a bit.
Take care.
Sloe.