Valis Ablaze

Valis Ablaze

Valis Ablaze are a UK progressive metal group that combines low-end grooves, clean and harsh vocals, atmospheric synths and intricate rhythm work. The band is spread across the UK, and their material is shaped around a mix of heaviness, melody, emotion and technical detail.

Style and sound

The group’s music draws on progressive metal, djent, groove metal, progressive rock and related alternative metal approaches. Their sound features soaring vocal lines, crisp clean passages, growling bass and layered synth textures alongside complex rhythmic work. They are described as aiming for an alternative to the standard progressive metal template, with a focus on contrast between power and atmosphere.

Releases and recording

Valis Ablaze release the January 2017 EP Insularity, produced by Drewsif Stalin. They tour the UK after that release and then continue developing their conceptual approach. Their debut album, Boundless, appears in April 2018 and is produced by Justin Hill, who is associated with Sikth, Heart of a Coward and Bury Tomorrow. The band tours Boundless material across Europe and uses that live experience to shape its follow-up.

Their second album, Render, is produced by James Wisner, whose credits include Paramore, Hands Like Houses and Underoath. It is released through Long Branch Records.

Live activity and associations

The band tours with and plays shows alongside Monuments, The Contortionist, Dead Letter Circus, Tesseract, Sikth and Vola. These performances help inform the development of their later material.

Line-up

The group consists of Phil Owen on vocals, Ash Cook on guitar, Tom Moore on guitar, Dayle Williams on drums and Dan Brotherton on bass.