VALLETTA kündigen EP 'Bitter Lucid Truth' EP an
U.S. Black 'N Rollers, VALLETTA, to release 'Bitter Lucid Truth' EP on Lifeforce Records!
U.S. Black 'N Rollers, Valletta, recently signed to Lifeforce Records are set to release new EP, Bitter Lucid Truth, on October 24.
There’s a palpable sense of urgency in Bitter Lucid Truth.
Valletta’s second proper release embraces what guitarist and singer Keenan Carroll describes as “anger, repulsion and intolerance toward the current political landscape.” But for all its confrontational inspiration, it’s also one of the year’s most thrilling metal releases.
With Bitter Lucid Truth, the Raleigh, N.C. quartet of Carroll, drummer Justin Valletta, bassist Cody Rogers, and guitarist/backing vocalist Will Goodyear, churn negative emotions into forceful, dynamic and “just genuinely pissed-off” outbursts that are equally searing and soaring.
This should come as no surprise from the veteran troupe, whose collective resume spans a heavy spectrum from sludge to prog to black metal, in bands including Lord Almighty, Barishi, Mo’ynoq, Prayer for Cleansing, and Between the Buried And Me. And, indeed, Valletta’s 2024 debut, Summer (Forcefield Records), defined a compelling hybrid of anthemic melody and bitter vitriol. But while Summer slung big riffs and even bigger hooks, Bitter Lucid Truth wields them like weapons.
“Aggressor” and “Cold Death” fuses the melodic impulses that have drawn comparisons to Tribulation and Kvelertak with a harsher, more belligerent approach more akin to Tragedy’s bold and defiantly melodic neo-crust. This is perhaps most apparent in the EP’s closing salvo, “Spitting the Word,” which answers “Doing Well"'s comparatively reflective tone with a vicious exclamation point. Of the song’s intent, Carroll says, “It’s time to speak your mind. No more thought paralysis.”
It’s fitting, then, that the EP was produced much more quickly than its predecessor. Where Summer evolved over a two-year gestation, Bitter Lucid Truth was written and recorded all in the first months of 2025. Recorded and mixed by Al Jacob (He Is Legend, Wailin Storms) at Warrior Sound Studioin Chapel Hill, N.C. — this time with production input from the band and TJ Childers of Inter Arma — and mastered by Matt Tuttle (Codeseven) at IAS Studios in Winston-Salem, NC, Valletta was able to capture the full and explosive sound the new songs’ dynamic volatility demands.
Managing to capture a boiling rage with a more dynamic and expansive approach to songwriting, Bitter Lucid Truth is a massive leap forward for the already ascendant band. Expect to see these vicious anthems take on a new life when Valletta brings them to the stage.
U.S. tours are planned for October of this year, surrounding the EP’s October release. In 2026, Valletta will accompany a European tour with a re-release of Summer also expected through Lifeforce Records.
The EP's first single, "Cold Death," is available now at: https://orcd.co/valletta_colddeath
Pre-Order / Pre-Save Bitter Lucid Truth here: https://orcd.co/valletta_blt
Track Listing:
1. Blood and Jesus
2. Cold Death
3. Aggressor
4. Doing Well
5. Spitting the Word
Line-Up
Justin Valletta - Drums
Cody Rogers - Bass
Keenan Carroll - Guitar / Lead Vocals
Will Goodyear - Guitar / Backing Vocals
https://www.instagram.com/vallettanc
https://vallettalfr.bandcamp.com/album/bitter-lucid-truth
Quelle: Lifeforce Records