The outburst that Stoner Rock/Metal had some years ago turned the genre a severe reason for jokes, because the number of bands playing it was so great that many of them were just copying each other (that were just copying names as SOUNDGARDEN, MONSTER MAGNET and others). But there are many surprises into the genre, those names that are worthy of listening and enjoy, as the Texan quartet DUEL. Their latest album, called "Valley of Shadows", is really a very good experience for the years.

Musically, their insight on Stoner Metal is filled with a "mastodonic" level of musical weight, but always daring to create tender melodies that are easier to understand. And the level of filth is low, but always keeping the organic feeling and with that essential dose of rawness. It's different from the clones and of those who have nothing to say, because the band prefers to try something different from the usual sometimes, as the traditional Metal energy on some riffs and charming choruses.

The sound quality of "Valley of Shadows" can be said as the main reason for this album has such good approach. Running away from the clones' formula to sound grotesquely filth and nasty to emulate the organic feeling from the past, the quartet used a clean sound with defined (but organic) instrumental tunes. The Stoner Metal essence of the work flows from the music itself, not from the sound production, and that's a very good point.

They're Old School in many ways, as the number of songs of "Valley of Shadows" shows: only 8 very good songs. But the melodic and powerful blow in the face called "Black Magic Summer" (a great and heavy song, with very good melodies on vocals), the accessible melodies created for "Red Moon Forming" (a touch of Old School Rock 'n' Roll can be heard due the simple rhythmic insight), the psychedelic feeling that permeates "Drifting Alone", the brutal and catchy groove of "Broken Mirror", and the contrast of the weighty aggressiveness with tender melodies shows on "I Feel No Pain", but the entire album is really great.

Once more: "Valley of Shadows" is an excellent release, and maybe it can be shown to many bands to show them that play Stoner Metal doesn't mean to be dirty as an underdog, but it's a matter of music.