While it might be hard to capture the live energy of a band that claim to be from outer space, Legend of the World does a fairly good job of condensing Valient Thorrs manic live presence into a solid rocker of a record. Like label-mates Riverboat Gamblers, Valient Thorr are fighting the perception that their music is little more than a soundtrack for their engaging onstage shenanigans, but from opening track "Heatseeker, the band seem dead-set to prove any doubters wrong. And they do; by infusing a classic rock sound with the vitriolic energy of punk rock, the band play like Mötley Crüe with a backpack of SST records. The result of this earnest reinterpretation of a sound generally reeking of posturing and bullshit is surprisingly compelling. By being more than a Darkness-style homage to rocknroll clichés, Valient Thorr take what they liked about 80s rock and discard the rest, filling it in with the punk rock vocal approach and musical drive they obviously grew up on. Not without a few dull moments of indulgent guitar wankery, Legend of the World is still fun, catchy, and full of punk attitude.
As a band with such a powerful live show, is it difficult to translate that energy to tape? Vocalist Valient Himself: I dont think that is for us to say. It is definitely different, but getting in the frame of mind and bringing the energy to a boil is the same process. How it comes across is all in how its captured.
Are you still in touch with musical trends on Venus? Whats hot there right now? There is currently no signal beaming from Burlatia at this point so we have no idea. Im betting they are still cranking earth transmissions, though.
Do you ever worry that your shtick may outshine the music? What shtick? You mean our satire? Our charming wit and marvelous personality? Dig deeper and youll see that bringing satire to strong accusations allows you to say a lot more scathing things. I dont want to come off all fire and brimstone in my ramblings, so I follow the path of the smart political comedians and stretch it out until its cutting but "swallowable.
(Volcom)As a band with such a powerful live show, is it difficult to translate that energy to tape? Vocalist Valient Himself: I dont think that is for us to say. It is definitely different, but getting in the frame of mind and bringing the energy to a boil is the same process. How it comes across is all in how its captured.
Are you still in touch with musical trends on Venus? Whats hot there right now? There is currently no signal beaming from Burlatia at this point so we have no idea. Im betting they are still cranking earth transmissions, though.
Do you ever worry that your shtick may outshine the music? What shtick? You mean our satire? Our charming wit and marvelous personality? Dig deeper and youll see that bringing satire to strong accusations allows you to say a lot more scathing things. I dont want to come off all fire and brimstone in my ramblings, so I follow the path of the smart political comedians and stretch it out until its cutting but "swallowable.
