Valley of the Sun to Release The Blacklight Sessions Oct. 2; Premiere “The Whiskey Elf”
Posted in audiObelisk, Whathaveyou on July 9th, 2026 by JJ Koczan
If it’s a party, you know Valley of the Sun are bringing a salsa of premium fuzz riffing and timeless heavy groove. Four-piece, trio, whatever. The core of the Ohio-based outfit has always been in songwriting and one expects no less of The Blacklight Sessions, which is announced today for an Oct. 2 release as their first album to come out through Heavy Psych Sounds.
Between now and the album’s arrival, you’ll see words like “solid” and “reliable” used to talk about the band, and neither is inappropriate, but as I listen to instrumental opening track/first single “The Whiskey Elf” premiere on the player just below — the classic roots of which are worn on its sleeve — it’s the energy they bring that feels most left out of the conversation. That chug and shove. They’re working with elements that were familiar before the band even existed, and yet Ryan Ferrier and company continue, time after time, to make those not only the band’s own, but a testimony of enduring radness. They’re not a band you’re ever going to regret seeing live, and their records always speak to the primal physicality of heavy groove.
I could go on here, but this is ostensibly a news post, so the news is the record’s coming. Valley of the Sun celebrate the release on tour in Europe this Fall, starting out on release day at Tabernas Desert Rock Fest (take me with you) and picking up in mid-October for Heavy Psych Sounds Fest in Germany and more.
Song and info follow. Please enjoy:
Valley of the Sun, “The Whiskey Elf” track premiere
VALLEY OF THE SUN – The Blacklight Sessions
ALBUM INFO:
Valley of the Sun’s sixth studio LP, “The Blacklight Sessions”, is a deep dive into the sonic roots of the band that continues to defy genre norms. With tracks ranging from blues jam to psychedelic desert trip to driving stoner riffage, the band continues to demonstrate that their music knows no bounds, nor should it. It will be released on October 2nd via Heavy Psych Sounds – www.heavypsychsounds.com
SONG QUOTE:
“The Whiskey Elf” is my nod to late-sixties blues rock, particularly that of Ten Years After and Grand Funk Railroad. The song has been around since the days of my previous band, Blacklight Barbarian, which we reference a great deal on the new album, hence the name “The Blacklight Sessions” — Ryan Ferrier
BAND BIO:
Formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2010, Valley of the Sun has become one of the most respected names in modern heavy rock, combining thunderous, groove-driven riffs with soaring vocals and emotionally charged songwriting. Drawing inspiration from classic hard rock, desert rock, and grunge, the band has built an international following through relentless touring across North America and Europe, critically acclaimed releases, and a reputation for delivering powerful, high-energy live performances. Their catalog includes The Sayings of the Seers, Electric Talons of the Thunderhawk, Volume Rock, Old Gods, The Chariot, and the acclaimed 2024 release Quintessence, showcasing a band that continues to evolve while remaining true to its signature sound.
Today, Valley of the Sun is a three-piece consisting of Ryan Ferrier (guitar, lead vocals), the band’s founder and sole remaining original member (2010–present); Chris Sweeney (bass), who joined in 2018; and Johnny Kathman (drums), who joined during the band’s transition back to a power trio for the Quintessence era in 2023. Together, the trio continues to push the band’s sound forward with crushing riffs, dynamic musicianship, and an ever-changing tonality that continues to challenge the norms of the genre, while maintaining the unmistakable sound of the band.
Valley of the Sun “The Blacklight Sessions” Tour 2026
02/10 Tabernas Desert Rock Fest
13/10 Morlenbach, DE Weiher
14/10 Osnabrück, DE Bastard Club
15/10 Jena, DE Kuba Jena
16/10 Dresden, DE Heavy Psych Sounds
17/10 Berlin, DE Heavy Psych Sounds
18/10 Warszawa, PL Chmury Club
19/10 Kraków, PL Klub Gwarek
21/10 Wien, AT Verein Forum Wien
22/10 Bratislava, SK Pink Whale
23/10 Pássau, DE Zauberberg
24/10 München, DE Backstage Klub
25/10 Freiburg im Breisgau, DE Artik
27/10 Annecy, FR La Coloc
29/10 Paris, FR Backstage by the Mill
30/10 Wasquehal, FR The Black Lab
31/10 Bruxelles, BE Temple Studios
01/11 Eindhoven, NL The Jack
02/11 Breda, NL Mezz
03/11 Düsseldorf, DE Pitcher
04/11 Münster, DE Rare Guitar
05/11 Köln, DE Club Volta
06/11 Hanau, DE KultK1
07/11 Aachen, DE Musik Bunker
08/11 Kiel, DE Schaubude
10/11 Hamburg, DE Knust
11/11 Copenhagen, DK Stengade
12/11 Aalborg, DK 1000Fryd
13/11 Oslo, NO Vaterland Bar & Scene
14/11 Stockholm, SE Fuzztival
Tickets: linktr.ee/vots
Valley of the Sun are:
Ryan Ferrier – guitar, vocals
Chris Sweeney – bass
Johnny Kathman – drums
https://linktr.ee/vots
http://valleyofthesun.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/valleyofthesunband/
https://www.facebook.com/valleyofthesun/
http://www.heavypsychsounds.com/
https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
