Viper is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Sao Paulo formed in 1985. It was Andre Matos first band before joining Angra in 1991. Viper released their second album Theatre of Fate in 1989. I remember buying this vinyl when it was released and quickly became a favorite in my turntable. Their album before it was promising but the band was not mature enough. And the albums after Theatre of Fate and without Matos have some good moments but their sound changed. In that sense, this disc is a unique jewel that should never be forgotten. In its 30th anniversary, I decided to go back to it.
The album clocks just under 35 minutes and features 8 songs. Those were the good times when bands would really craft their best songs and make concise albums. The interesting thing is that while the songs are relatively short, it's still a progressive album. Each song is unique and displays character. Viper didn't follow a formula or fixed structure. Instrumental interludes, classical music mix, solos, bridges and verses are all used differently and at the right time. There's no overuse of choruses or repetition. But still songs are very melodic, catchy, thrashy at times and memorable. "A Cry from the Edge" for example goes from a guitar solo over an acoustic rhythm guitar and classical arrangements, to an almost a punk rock verse (a la D.R.I.) to a power metal chorus. Andre Matos vocal performance in this album is my favorite of his career. While he reaches for some very high notes, it doesn't sound forced and features a raw emotion. Take the title track for example last notes of the chorus. Fantastic singing up to F5 and with one short G5 right at the end of the song. Or the incredible sustained E5 from the end of "A Cry From The Edge". And also a slide up to a powerful F5 from "At Least A Chance". The inevitable Helloween influences are also clear specially when it comes to the singing and twin guitars riffs (typically higher tempo then the Maiden ones). "Prelude to Oblivion" is when this is most notable. Another masterpiece is "Living for the Night" possibly the favorite one of most Viper fans, including myself. Beautiful, progressive and a powerful build up, this song has it all. It includes not only great guitar solos but also a bass solo. A song based on Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata closes the album on yet a different note. Given that this is a sophomore album from some Brazilian youngsters, the production is not perfect but quite decent. It's dynamic (DR 8) and well mixed.
Music is not only a technical construct of notes and harmonies, it's also about emotions and memories that we associate with it. Theatre of Fate is one of my favorite power progressive metal album of
all times. It's about how important this album was to me as a teenager. And having a fresh look at it 30 years later only confirms that technically and objectively, it is also a superb piece of work. It's a shame that it's only 35 minutes of an almost lost jewel of musical brilliance.
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