Viper Soup Complex - Tetrahedron Paradise Progressive Voyages Review PV028
Viper Soup Complex – Tetrahedron Paradise – Progressive Voyages Review PV028
I first came across Viper Soup Complex when they supported The Emerald Dawn in Camden, London on the 20th of July of this year,
I’d heard good things about them and was even more impressed with their set,
in this set they were playing all of the songs on this new EP Tetrahedron Paradise along with a an earlier tracks from their Red Fugue EP and also performed a new song
This new EP Tetrahedron Paradise isn’t actually released yet however I got mine from the show although it is due to be released at some stage of the summer and in lieu of a full album this is a fine stepping stone in that particular journey.
The EP has just 3 tracks each of which have a different theme or mood, these are Good Man (8:58) Tetrahedron Paradise (5.28) and the lengthy The Well In The Labyrinth (9:57) giving a total playing time of 24 minutes and 30 seconds in total or so my cd player tells me at least.
The first song Good Man is about becoming a good man after realising getting that the way he is acting is not good for everyone and that he needs to do more to behave and n doing so can become a better man.
This opens with some great synth flourishes and some meaty guitar lines, with a light opening guitar line and drums before a far heavier riff emerges, this is a fine sound which then has a romping tone to it as Annemarie Spiteri’s vocals begin singing in a very theatrical manner, this lady has a good range, a stirring bass rumbles as the song drives forward.
There are definite Progressive metal influences at play here, all this is underscored by the stellar drumming of Melchior Busutti and driving bass of Michael Spiteri,there is a wild synth solo from David Ciantar,which is really strong as the song enters a more subdued reflective section, don’t worry it soon regains it harsher edge again, This is a very impressive track with a lot of complexity to it, Annemarie definitely has a touch of Kate Bush in her vocals, which is no bad thing having heard them perform this song live I can attest to its hard hitting nature.
Tetrahedron Paradise- The EP’s title track follows and this is totally different initially at least, as it commences with a lighter touch and a softer drumbeat gently playing, and a quiet bassline and rhythm guitar followed by a piano motif and more subtle basslines it sounds to a fretless bass actually, after this dexterous guitar riff and synth line are introduced as the track grows in power, still restrained though, as you can guess this won’t be the case as the track seeks to show its strength before to long, and that it does, towards the end in parts ending on keyboards,
The final track is The Well In The Labyrinth which opens with a strong hammond organ part, before some Strong guitar lines are introduced to the sound, it’s very theatrical in its sound, the vocals are a little muddy here and I can’t quite work out what she is singing about somehow but even so you get a sense in the overall sound, This certainly has very progressive elements on offer, with great keyboards and guitar, a steady bass part begins with sympathetic softer drum accompaniment giving the song an almost jazz touch, it’s very effectively done, a slightly offbeat atonal keyboard sound leads into a fine guitar solo from Glenn Sultana which is very impressive sounding, this is followed by more subtle bass lines from Michael as the song drives forward once again, This is a track that has a certain moodiness it, excellent dynamics and touches of Uriah Heep especially in the keyboard Sounds and textures..
This is a fantastic track I just wish I knew what they were on about,
Even so this short EP certainly shows a lot of promise for this young Maltese band, It rocks hard and powerfully. I do heartily recommend it, although as to where you get it is another question,
I suggest that you keep on eye on their website/ facebook page as it may surface there before too long.
If you like your Prog little different this group might be for you
www.vipersoupcomplex.com