Valley of Chrome

The first iteration of the band was formed in Los Baños, Laguna in 2000, under the name Batch 98. They would then rename themselves as Valley of Chrome, the name taken from a song title by Cypress Hill (Valley of Chrome, Skull and Bones album). Another source states that their acronym, VoC, is so chosen to be similar to VoD, or Vision of Disorder.The band released three EP albums in their early years (Transparent, Beyond Definition, and Anthems for the Sell-Out Youth) before being signed in 2004 to Viva Records. They came out with Love and Devotion at that point, and toured with label mates Chicosci and Typecast to promote their album. However, by 2007, they returned to Tower of Doom Records, who had helped them record Anthems of the Sell-Out Youth (2007). They then participated in the 2007 and 2008 Siege Tours, and coming out with the Valley of Chrome album Never the Lifeless in 2008. The song by Valley of Chrome, Forever Young, would become an informal anthem for the Siege Tour bands.

It would be some time before they would record again the longest album hiatus in the band’s lifetime. However, the band broke the hiatus with the self-titled Valle of Chrome in 2012. The album is notable for using the Filipino language exclusively for all songs, the product of a writing challenge between Rogel and producer Eric Perlas. This later became a marketing windfall, as it helped the band attract a larger local market.

The latest release is the 2014 EP, Dark Horse. The album has a rerecording of Vengeance Unleashed, from the 2002 Transparent EP album, and a cover of Rumblebelly’s Anino, featuring vocalist Alvin Baes.

The band’s music is considered as metal, with hardcore punk and metalcore elements. They also mix in hard rock and pop influences, in the form of melodic riffs and vocal lines.

Influences that have been mentioned in online articles about the band have ranged from In Flames, Atreyu, Shadows Fall, and Killswitch Engage. Not surprisingly, Metallica, Iron Maiden and Guns ‘n’ Roses have also been named as influences, given the more melodic and rock-oriented aspects of their songs.The third album, the eponymous Valley of Chrome, is notable for having all songs use Filipino-language lyrics. According to interviews, this happened due to Rogel being challenged by producer Eric Perlas to come up with a Filipino-language follow-up song to Dagat ng Apoy. Rogel obliged, and proceeded to rewrite all Valley of Chrome lyrics for the album into Filipino.The band is known for excellent live performances, both in terms of musical skill and performance levels from all band members.

Rogel Africa Vocals

Rogel also sings in the band Til Kingdom Come.

Kaloi Cambaliza Guitar

Kaloi is also the guitarist and vocalist of the band Sultans of Snap.

Tatel Marcelino Guitar

Tatel is known historically in the music scene as a member of Rumblebelly, which had a single, Anino, in 1994. This was released in a Philippine death metal compilation album.

Jordan Constantino Bass

Jordan Constantino is also the bassist for the band Read Between the Lions. He was also the drummer for Apollo Creed.

Paul Eusebio Drums

Paul has also been in the drummer’s seat for the bands Balatek and Katoliko.

Valley of Chrome has gone through many lineup changes, with only Jordan Constantino being the constant members across all incarnations. It is important to note that Rogel has been present in all incarnations of the band as Valley of Chrome.

2000 (as Batch 98)

Jericho - Vocals

Jervee - Guitars

Jordan Constantino - Bass

Kimmy Baraoidan - Drums

2000-2002 (as Valley of Chrome)

Jericho - Vocal 1

Rogel Africa - Vocal 2

Jethro Mendoza - Guitar 1

Jervee - Guitar 2

Jordan Constantino - Bass

Kimmy Baraoidan - Drums

2002-2003

Rogel Africa - Vocals

Jethro Mendoza - Guitar

Tatel Marcelino - Guitar

Jordan Constantino - Bass

Kimmy Baraoidan - Drums

2003-2009

Rogel Africa - Vocals

Jethro Mendoza - Guitar

Tatel Marcelino - Guitar

Jordan Constantino - Bass

Voltaire del Rosario - Drums

Valley of Chrome arguably is one of the artists that most frequently comes up in the Tower of Doom’s Tower Sessions. However, they have also had some success in mainstream music video outlets, with the following:

Tower Sessions

Dagat Ng Apoy

Japan

Love and Devotion

Conquering Hades

Duelo