Death By Stereo - Into The Valley Of Death
by Alex Halls
published: 3 / 9 / 2003

Label:
Select Label
Format: CD
intro
Occasionally repetitive, but constantly "sharp" and "melodic" hardcore from Southern California rockers, Death in Stereo, back with a third album
Death By Stereo have continuously been evolving since their conception in 1998. Based in South California, the five-piece are captivating live. Verging on Metal at times, their sound is difficult to define; it is better classified as melodic hardcore. Their third album, 'Into The Valley Of Death', follows the much-acclaimed 'If Looks Could Kill, I’d Watch You Die' debut and 'Day Of The Death', and sees a linear progression towards fame and fortune. The new album is launched by 'The Plague', a track which engulfs the sensory organs in much the same way as a virus spreading through the body. It commences dissonantly before its full intensity hits at volume. The rampage continues in tracks like 'Shh, It’ll Be Our Little Secret' and the short track 'Good Morning America'. The album feels a little repetitive at times but it contains valuable material throughout. Having refined the album a great deal, it may have lost that rough edge that Death By Stereo were all about. The album is sharp, melodic and breathes life through every sound. It may fail to capture those unsure of this genre but for those souls who are fortunate to be involved in this scene, 'Into The Valley Of Death' comes as a ray of light. There are few decent bands that dare tread this musical path but those who do must be fully credited. Death By Stereo are imaginative and have shaped an album worthy of the Epitaph label. With some amusingly named songs such as 'I Wouldn’t Piss In Your Ear If Your Brain Was On Fire', the band have kept that mixture of joviality and aggression upon which they were formed. Death By Stereo are: Efrem Schulz (Vocals), Paul Miner (Bass), Dan Palmer (Guitar), Tito (Guitar) and Todd Hennig (Drums).
Track Listing:-
1 The Plague2 Beyond The Blinders
3 Wasted Words
4 I Wouldn't Piss In Your Ear If Your Brain Was On Fire
5 Shh, It'll Be Our Little Secret
6 What I Can't Hear, Touch, Taste, Or Smell Can't Hurt Me
7 Unstoppable
8 Let Down And Alone
9 These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things
10 Good Morning America
11 Flag Day
12 You're A Bullshit Salesman With A Mouthful Of Samples
13 Wake Up, You're Dead
reviews |
Death For Life (2005) |
![]() |
'Brutal powerhouse of metallic hardcore energy" and "an essential purchase for metal-heads and hardcore fanatics" from hard rock tour de force Death by Stereo |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025John Philip Shenale - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Waeve - Club Academy, Manchester, 18/3/2025
Kim Wilde - Photoscapes
Vapors - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Reichenbach Falls - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Leon Bridges - Leon
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Permafrost - The Light Coming Through
Mystery Fix - Life to Life
Various - Ambientale
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart