Aldous Byron Valensia Clarkson over the years has been an enigma. In Japan he was thought to be a computer generated artist, from where his video clips were computer generated and his face was never seen. But in his homeland of Holland his single "Gaia" was a smash hit, and in fact #1 on the Dutch charts back in 1994.
Valensia's music is quite complex, and in fact in the early days of his career didn't intend to be a live act. He did eventually do a mini tour of Tokyo, after assembling a band of excellent musicians. The reason for forming the band also was due to the fact; the Valensia plays everything himself on his albums!
The complexity I mention in the previous paragraph is definitely in evidence on his Metal Majesty This Is Not A Drill album. From listening to this, I hear a very strong Queen influence throughout the album. Valensia's voice is very Freddie Mercury like, and while not possessing Mercury's range (then again, who does???). I also hear the influence in some of the arrangements, and also in his guitar work where he blends a rapid fire styling, with Brian May's sense of harmony. The music is quite unpredictable, and has changes all over the place. Very melodic, excellent sense of harmony, and very progressive with it's exploratory and unpredictable nature.
Being both challenging but also being easy to listen to is an extremely difficult thing to do, but believe me this guy somehow manages to do this! Whether you like chaotic changes in a song, or if you like strong melodies, or even (should I say this) you want to hear an album that many wished Queen may have done in the latter years of their career, then definitely give this album a try!
Track Listing
1) Grim Reeper
2) Metal Majesty
3) The Extra Terrestrial
4) Wonderful Life
5) Magic Chemistry
6) His Highness Hybris
7) Maiden Head
8) License to Chill
9) Everytime It Rains Again
10) Hope and Glory
11) Deborah
12) The Moon
13) Bulgarian Queen
14) Symphony in V-Minor
15) Rock Nor Roll
16) Stars Tonight
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