You know when you constantly perform your songs live, you just cannot listen to it when offstage.
On a hot and humid Saturday afternoon at Good Vibrations Records located inside Cubao X, Valley of Chrome vocalist Rogel Africa, drummer Paul Eusebio, and Tatel Marcelino who makes up one-half of the band’s twin-axe attack listened to their music for the first time since…
“Kailan nga ba?” wondered Eusebio to no one in particular.
“It’s hard to listen to one’s self without being critical,” added Africa.
The three were minus guitarist Kaloi Cambeliza, bassist Jordan Constantino, and band manager Jeff Keenan who were all abroad at the moment. And yet, the listening session for their very first vinyl release had to push through.
“Time is of the essence,” noted Africa. “We are hoping to get the record here in Manila before Christmas.”
That vinyl record is Valley of Chrome’s fourth and breakthrough album, Victorious.
Released in February of 2018, the album featured the band at the top of their game. With a talented line up of musicians and top-notch production by Tower of Doom, Valley of Chrome did not settle for less. They upped the ante by getting renowned Brazilian painter Marcelo Vasco to paint the cover to Victorious.
Victorious, as a complete package, could sit nicely next to one’s Slayer, Soulfly, Hatebreed, Testament, and Machinehead records to name a few.
The trio listened through two sides of the test press. The music jumped out of the speakers with its relentless and pulsating pace, its frenzied guitar work, and thunderous drums.
The three head banged along with Marcelino exclaiming, “Nakuha music namin. At lahat ng intsrumento ay naririnig.”
Victorious is given the vinyl treatment by independent label Eikon Records and will feature an embossed cover, the music on red and black splatter vinyl, and an 18×24 inch poster.
“The idea is to immortalize this milestone album,” underscored a spokesperson for the label. “The moment this album came out on compact disc, it was begging for a vinyl release not only for the incredible art by Marcelo Vasco but because of the production that went into the album as a whole. If this pushes the local metal genre into a higher level, then this is good.”
“We always wondered if we would ever see our music on wax,” summed up Africa. “And now, it’s here. It’s one off our Bucket List.”
Image credits: Rick Olivares
