Val-Halla recently opened for Death Angel, and it was at this show they unveiled their new assault.
Metal Monthly was there to witness.
Val-Halla pulled the ace card... and showed why they are out to conquer.
They have added a fourth member in Robert Zakaryan who will pull Guitar/Backing Vocals duties.
He is already established in the metal world as he comes to Val-Halla from another Las Vegas Metal Band, I will not name that band because that is simply history...it is the future that matters.
Metal Monthly was impressed by the depth this added to the live show, the sound had much more depth, and the groove that was in the background before was brought to the front. This gave lead Guitarist Tyler more room to relax and solo...
Val-Halla recruited their newest member, who brings the skills to pay the bills...and at 17, probably some wisdom to the rest of the youthful band.
04/19/08 UPDATE - TAKE 4
Metal Monthly was invited to the Val-Halla CD release show…. Of course we accepted the offer.
Val-Halla played Jillian’s and played it well. The set list was as follows
Dissension Among Brothers
Born In Blindness
Resurrection of a fallen hero
Rush The Walls
Breaking the what? Breaking the what? Breaking The Law, By Judas Priest
And closed the set with Ride of The Valkyries
The crowd was really into it, and the usual moshing erupted… at one point while Tyler was soloin, a ladies unmentionable was thrown at him, landing directly on the neck of his guitar on the frets he was working in, he kept his cool without missing a note until it fell to the stage. (Note to self: get guitar, join band)
Andrew was more vocal behind the kit tonight, and Jake was great interacting with the crowd too.
Their New Cd Annihilation is out now.
Project METAL
Update
Take 3
SUCCESS
Val-Halla Played Extreme Thing... and it was Sick!
They nailed the set, in front of thousands and gained great crowd participation, including several cyclone pits that erupted. They once again showed original raw talent.
..an all out Annihilation
Update : 3-23-08
Val-Halla is IN!!!!!!!!
Thank you to the over 80 local Las Vegas bands that signed up to participate in the first annual XPOZLV.COM - BATTLE OF THE FANS CONTEST, where local Las Vegas bands get a chance to play the 2008 Extreme Thing Sports & Music Festival, March 29, 2008 at Desert Breeze Skate Park.
Results
This Romantic Tragedy
2,537
Val-halla
2,466
Think
2,106
The Seventh Plague
1,749
The Countdown
1,586
Ministry Of Love
1,517
Eyes Like Diamonds
1,408
The 2008 Extreme Thing Action Sports/Music Festival will feature:
Pennywise, Chiodos, Escape The Fate, Nonpoint, Streetlight Manifesto, In This Moment, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Alesana
Desert Breeze Skate Park on March 29, 2008 Las Vegas NV
A Special Thanks to all The Metal Monthly Support that was recieved!
Take 2
Val-Halla Played to a packed Jillians, Dowtown Las Vegas March 19th
The boys played a great set, to showcase their talent.
What I like is the fact that the guys play ORIGINAL Material,
with a great melodic sound, pretty rare for a 3 piece band so young.
It takes courage to get on a stage in front of your peers and wear your heart on your sleeve.
The guys showed this courage as naturals...who belong on the stage...
with moments of great crowd interaction, and no signs of letting up on their metal assault.
Keep an eye out for Val-Halla
Thanks to Metal Monthly readers and your votes...
I believe it is eminent that Val-Halla
will get on the Bill to Open for Non Point at Extreme Thing...
(We are waiting for tally of Votes, and Official Word)
I will update this in Project:METAL Take3
Val-Halla with New Member Robert
Rush the Walls LIVE
AUDIO
Ride of the Valkryies - Click Play
Take 1
* Editor's Note : This Interview esentially kicked off Val-Halla as the driving force behind Project : Metal. Downshifter conducted this Interview when the Band was a trio.
Tyler - Guitars/ Vocals (pictured above )
Andrew - Drums/Vocals (pictured above )
Jake - Bass / Vocals (pictured above )
In the Current youtube/guitar hero/internet savy generation, it is cool and rather unique to find young kids who are turning to old school metal.
Kids who are looking up to bands like Iron Maiden, Pantera, and Megadeth...the music we as Kids grew up on.
We all know that metal has taken a back seat in popularity to other genres of music, But as always, metal continues to live on...
Here are some of those kids... based Out Of Las Vegas, Nevada
Val-Halla
Metal Monthly: Tyler...Thanks for your time, Tell our readers about Val-Halla, your lineup and style of music
Tyler: Jake and I have been friends since the sixth grade and have been playing music for about 3 years. A little over two years ago we were jamming at our guitar lesson, we met this 10 year old drummer Andrew and asked him to jam with us. Our first song together was Seek and Destroy by Metallica and a band was born. We have become best friends and do pretty much everything together. Our lineup is Jake Massanari on Bass and Vocals, Andrew Decker on Drums and Me Tyler Simmons on Guitar and Vocals. Our style comes from Metallica, Pantera, Trivium, and Iron Maiden. We have an old school style metal.
Metal Monthly: Tell us about The Name Val-Halla, how did you guys come to agree on the name, and what does it mean?
Tyler: Jake and I were looking in the dictionary for a band name one day and I said “look up something with a V, that sounds cool.” Jake pointed to Valhalla and we both liked it allot. Technically val-halla with a dash doesn’t mean anything but Valhalla, means hallway of the chosen Vikings.
Metal Monthly: What was the feeling when you first rehearsed as a group?
Tyler: We were all excited about how amazing we thought we sounded. (Until we go back and listen to it now) LOL
Metal Monthly: If I was to steal your ipod, what would I find on it?
Tyler: A variety, actually haha, but mostly metal, stuff like 7th Son, Arch Enemy, Black Label Society, Children of Bodom, Dio, Iced Earth, Maiden, Lamb of God, Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Protest the Hero, Trivium, and 3 Inches of Blood.
Metal Monthly: As a guitarist, who are your influences?
Tyler: Paul Gilbert definitely, Zakk Wylde, Dimebag (R.I.P.), and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Metal Monthly: Were you in any bands before ?
Tyler: Not really, it has always been me and Jake trying to start something like we have today!
Metal Monthly: I give you props for playing original material, and for flying the Metal Flag, Do you guys ever play any covers?
Tyler: Every once in awhile we will do a Judas Priest, Metallica, or Pantera cover. For the most part we play all originals, it’s the way we show our creativity.
Metal Monthly: Who is the one musician who has had the biggest influence on your playing style? Who is the one individual who has had the biggest influence on your life?
Tyler: Musically, the person that has really influenced me was Robert Z. from the local band Shredmill. I remember the first time I saw them I was totally in awe over their style and Robert’s playing. He is the coolest dude I know, he always teaches me stuff and supports our band! Personally the person has been my Dad, he is always there, and is always helping me make the correct decisions.
Metal Monthly: You currently have your E.P out, "Rush the Walls"... what plans do you have for 2008?
Tyler: Well on March 16-18 we are re-recording the vocals on the three songs from that demo. During that we are also recording the rest of our songs and we will make a 9 song album to sell for about 9 dollars. All our song names are… Annihilation, Waking Nightmare, Waves of Fear, Rush the Walls, Resurrection of a Fallen Hero, Dissension Among Brothers, Tonight we Dine in Hell, Ride of the Valkryies, and Born in Blindness.
Metal Monthly: Biggest crowd you have played too, Venue?
Tyler: I’d have to say The Alley with Hang em’ High.
Metal Monthly: I understand you have a shot at playing Xtreme thing 2008, with bands such as Nonpoint, Pennywise, Chiodos, Escape The Fate, Streetlight Manifesto, In This Moment, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and Alesana. How can we help this dream come true?
Tyler: To help us you can buy tickets to our Jillians show on March 19, for just 5 dollars, if you e-mail us at val-halla@cox.net, we will deliver or send us a message on our myspace. The other way is to go to www.xpozlv.com and vote for Val-Halla!
Metal Monthly: Ok so when you are not in rock star mode, what task or chore that your dad gives you humbles you...like taking out the trash or picking up poop...there must be something that brings you back down to earth
Tyler: Usually, mowing the lawn and making my bed.
Metal Monthly: If you could go on tour with any band...past or present...what be the ultimate lineup?
Tyler: IRON MAIDEN! I love how all of their shows are so huge and the crowd sings along with every guitar riff, it is amazing!
Metal Monthly: I understand your dad is a big supporter of your rock life, and helps with roadie and photo duties, For that my man you are very lucky...anything you would like to say to him, or any of the other supporters behind the scenes?
Tyler: I love him and everything he does, he has never failed me, he is a very wise, big, beautiful man. LOL. We also appreciate the Support from Jozev Castano. Also Iron Leo for our sick myspace layout. And last but not least XPOZ for supporting a smoke free music scene and giving many local bands great opportunities.
Metal Monthly: Here is a standard Question I ask most Bands...If you could send one cd/album up in the space shuttle to be left on another planet...to be found by other life...what cd/album would you send to represent American Metal?
Tyler: I would send them the Pantera album Vulgar Display of Power, it shreds and its totally heavy! It represents true American METAL!
Metal Monthly: Who is the Best Guitar Hero in the Band...I’m talking the game...any Dragonforce on expert?
Tyler: I would have to say our drummer Andrew, I don’t know about Dragonforce on expert but he always beats Jake and I.
Metal Monthly: What is the funniest prank or joke you that comes to mind from one of your shows or sessions, whether you were the one doing the prank or on the receiving end?
Tyler: Ok… every show in our song Rush the Walls, in the chorus it chants “rush the walls” but every once in awhile we say “wash your balls!” LOL
We get a kick out of that.
Metal Monthly: Tyler Thanks So Much for your time, is there anything else you would like to plug or add for our readers?
Tyler: We would like to think all of our many supporters and fans from the past year, without them we would be nothing!
