Emerald Dawn / Viper Soup Complex

Written By John Wenlock-Smith

Sunday, 20 July 2025 - The Camden Club, London

This is the first gig review for my Progressive Voyages site and so it was with high expectations that I ventured forth from a cloudy Cheshire to go to London for this London Prog Gigs hosted show at the Camden Club.

The Journey was uneventful although the train was standing from Stafford so a very busy train thankfully I had a seat and table.

I arrived safely in Camden and joined the queue in which several were already waiting, Isabella Foster then arrived with several others including Prog Magazines Jerry Ewing and we entered the building.

Seats were secured with Nick Rogers being to my right with David Webb in proximity, a good clear view as well.

Viper Soup Complex - Progressive V

Viper Soup Complex were on first VSC are a five piece band from Malta they are fronted by vocalist Anne Marie Spiteri along with drummer Melchoir Busuttil , bassist Michael Spiter keyboard player David Ciantar and guitarist Sean Anastasi. Their music is an amalgam of almost Progressive metal, Art rock and Prog especially in their often very dramatic theatrics & in the stagecraft of Anne Marie who's visuals add much to their music. They played a mere 5 tracks in their set , these being

  1. Wither with the sun - A new track

  2. A good man - From.The new Ep

  3. Tetrahedron paradise - new Ep title track

  4. The well in the Labyrinth - from the New Ep

  5. Taxidermy hotel - from Red Fugue ep

Their set was very entertaining and was well received by all, I was very impressed by them . A special mention for drummer Melchoir Busuttil who was thoroughly enjoying himself, smiling incessantly his drumming was great too.

After a short break The Emerald Dawn took to the stage they started by saying that their set would contain several new songs from their forthcoming album.

Here’s the setlist and song information:

  1. Dancing with the Spirit (from ‘The Land, the Sea, the Air’ Vol.1 to be released later this year) a new track and the shortest Emerald Dawn song it was very upbeat and bodes well for the new album .

  2. And I Stood Transfixed (from ‘To Touch the Sky’ 2021)

  3. Under Changing Skies (from ‘The Land, the Sea, the Air’ Vol.1 to be released later this year) A song in 4 interconnected parts with visual being projected throughout.

  4. Timeless (from ‘In Time’ 2023) again with visuals.

  5. Out of Time (from ‘In Time’ 2023) a long closing track with superb visuals and a great final song which gained a standing ovation for the band.

It was a stunning musical display from a band who continue to bring a cinematic wide-screen music to audiences and who offer excellent performances and a great sound.

I was especially taken by the tracks from Out of Time that really made a strong impact tonight. That album has grown in stature over the past year for me at least.

The band were on top form tonight despite a few gremlins with Tree’s sonic drum pad.

Bassist David Greenaway played an absolute blinder on Out Of Time and Tom Jacksons drums were powerful as was Alan Carter’s guitar saxaphone and clarinet. Tree Stewarts seemingly effortless vocals, Tree provide much of the soundscapes for the songs. Tonight reaffirming her talents once again she is one talented lady!

It was a fabulous evening of music from 2 great bands who offer much to Progressive music lovers.

Thanks to Chris Parkins and Roger Marsh and others who made me feel so welcome.

John Wenlock-Smith