50 Most Underrated Album of the 2000's (So Far): #16

16.Intronaut-Valley of Smoke (2010)

Progressive metal fans consistently manage to build up hype steadier and stronger than fans in just about every other metal subgenre. For whatever reason, California prog/sludge veterans Intronaut have largely alluded that hype over the years. Of all their great records in their catalog, their 2010 LP, Valley of Smoke, is easily the most shamefully overlooked. Valley of Smoke marked a turning point in Intronaut's career as it was their first foray into full-blown prog metal. While the grimy sludge riffs they'd become known for were still heavily in the picture, the band made prominent use of clean vocals for the first time in their career.  Seeing a band that had exclusively used gruff screams in the past, make such great use of clean vocals was a complete shock. Co-frontmen Sacha Dunable and Dave Timinck displayed legit vocal chops and had plenty of excellent duel vocal harmonies throughout.The clean vocals were a great new addition for Intronaut, but the rhythm section of bassist Joe Lester and drummer Danny Walker were once again stole the show. The chemistry and mind-boggling skills these two have give Intronaut a special dynamic that just can't be matched or duplicated by any of their peers. Valley of Smoke is one of the striking, beautiful and genre-bending pieces of progressive metal of the past 15 years, and its beyond me how its failed to garner much attention in the scene over the years.

Standout Tracks

1.Elegy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsx29kqAxto

2.Above http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el9L-PnaYOc

3.Core Relations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwOQ2SSkVkE 

Album Review: Intronaut-Valley Of Smoke

Ever since I discovered Intronaut on their jaunt supporting Mastodon in May 2009, I have become quite a fan. Their previous record Prehistoricisms was a complex post metal record that was one of the best records of the last decade. On Valley Of Smoke, Intronaut continues to make complex post metal thats kicks a whole lot of ass.

Valley Of Smoke is one of those rare records that is progressive and gorgeous, but is also heavy and crushing. The perfect example of the two sides of Intronaut blending together is album opener "Elegy". "Elegy" starts off with a groovy riff and descends into a really pretty mid section, then back to ear-crushing heaviness. Valley Of Smoke is full of seamless transistions that really add a complex layer to things.

Valley Of Smoke as a whole is more progressive than previous Intronaut records. I think this a great move by Intronaut. Their progressive sections are truly gorgeous. Along with these progressive sections, come more clean vocals. The clean vocals do take a couple of listens to get used to, but they fit perfectly with the music and I commend them for using more of them. Yet another winning element of Valley Of Smoke, is the enhanced focus on the rhythm section. Intronaut has always had great bass and drum work and its great to see that come even further into the forefront on this record. The instrumental title track is one hell of an accomplishment with the bass and drums being so promient and creating such a killer groove.

Valley Of Smoke is a progressive metal wonder. Intronaut, once again proves they are prog/post metal behemoths. This is a mighty beast of a record that is equal parts progessive and heavy. Intronaut has this type of metal down to a science and its such a pleasure to listen to their records. I don't know if Valley Of Smoke is on par with Prehistoricisms quite yet, still it's one hell of a record. Valley Of Smoke is a must-listen for any prog metal fan and Intronaut is a band that needs to be more well known.
4.5/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.Elegy
2.Core Releations
3.Valley Of Smoke