As far as debut records go VALIS' "Vast Active Living Intelligence System" was about as close to perfect as you can get. Swirling guitars that mix with a thunderingly explosive rhythym section the way jack daniels mixes with coke. Heavy riff laden rawk that takes the listener just far enough into the stratosphere to leave their heads swimming in the ether. Thankfully, Van Conner knows that close only counts in horeshoes and handgrenades. Thus is born "Champions of Magic," a completion of the thought started but never quite finished. Five new sludge drenched gems added to
Say what you will about VALIS... Just as long as you can do it without using the words "trees" or "screaming" because Van Conner has stepped out of the shadows and landed front and center in what can only be described as a total reinvention of self. Van has traded in his bass for the chance to man the helm of his own personal rock 'n' roll juggernaught. Nicking a hint of the psychedelic from Conner's previous band and joining forces with younger brother Patrick, VALIS takes a much more straight forward approach to music. Sonically, it's the equivelant to tearing down
