Originality is timeless. The Viper began making history 25 years ago, and it's more alive today than ever.

With the announcement of the farewell show of the acclaimed To Live Again Tour 2012, Wikimetal decided to gift Viper fans with a series of interviews with the 5 band members, where they will all answer the same questions about Viper's past, present, and future. Wikimetal feels deeply proud to have been part of this reunion; it was exciting for us and gratifying to receive the praise we did. We hope that fans from São Paulo and the surrounding area will once again fill Via Marquês on December 2nd to show that a job well done and of high quality will always be supported by the public. Answering our questions now is the great Andre Matos!

Wikimetal: As we all know, this will indeed be the last show of the To Live Again Tour. But what the fans really want to know is, will it be Viper's last show?
Andre Matos: In principle, yes. In fact, the tour was only scheduled for July. We took August off to rest and, due to numerous requests, we agreed to extend the tour. Many cities would have been left out if we hadn't done so. In July alone, in a period of 20 days, we played more than 15 shows. And we should reach the end of the tour with approximately double the number of dates. The initial plan was always to do a single tour, commemorating the 25th anniversary of "Soldiers of Sunrise," presenting the entire repertoire of the first two albums. From the first concert until now, some details have changed in the show – we continue, obviously, to play all those songs without exception – but everything ended up being much more cohesive and synchronized. We picked up the rhythm on the road and the stage became our home during this time. In any case, we must honor the initial plan for a one-off tour, and this will indeed be the grand farewell concert, a perfect ending. No one can say if, in the distant future, we will reunite again. It would certainly work as well as it does now. If it were up to us, we would continue playing together for the next 20 years. However, each of us has our own activities and, one might even say, priorities. The “To Live Again” tour was an exception we made in our work schedules so that it could happen. With this stage over, we return to our usual routines. We will miss the camaraderie, the moments with the audience, the family atmosphere that prevailed during these months. And the incomparable energy of playing those songs from 20 years ago and realizing that they are still young. I leave fulfilled – but not without a touch of nostalgia for having to end this stage. And, to fill the void we will certainly feel on stage, I intend to be on the road soon with my solo band, which has just released the new album “The Turn of the Lights”. We'll be playing some Viper songs live, as we always have, in homage to this pivotal period of my career.

WM: What was, for you, the highlight of this series of 25 shows?
AM: It would be very unfair to single out just one highlight. The first show in São Paulo at Via Marquês was technically impeccable, and we were lucky enough to have it recorded in its entirety for the DVD that will be released in the future. But the DVD will also include excerpts from all the other shows we did from north to south of Brazil. There were so many that it's difficult to remember the details of each one in particular. The highlight of the tour was realizing that, in every place we went, whether in the capitals or the interior, the audience was there, filling all the venues and singing the songs from beginning to end. An audience in which we could recognize older faces, from the time of the original Viper, and also those of a new generation, often the children of these people, who never had the chance to see the band live before. And that's what we wanted after all. And finally, the melody that never leaves our heads, sung in chorus at every show, without exception: “Olê, olê, olê, olê… Viper…Viper!”. We will not forget these moments and we must thank each and every one of those who attended the shows for the true “gift” they gave us.

WM: What would you say to the fans who traveled miles to see the band's show and to those who traveled miles to see several shows?
AM: What to say? Thank you! Thank you so much! We hope it was worth the effort. We talked to the audience before or after the shows whenever possible and heard about the crazy things many did just to be there. It's difficult to transport a structure of this size to all the municipalities where we have fans, so we had to choose some key cities that were also accessible to those who live in the region. But these regions often reach a radius of 500, 600, 1000 km! And even so, people came to the shows, had nowhere to sleep, waited for transportation until early morning. It's a sign that some powerful flame remains alive in everyone's heart. I hope that on their journeys back home they took not only their own luggage – but also the memory of a unique moment that will not be repeated. And may we meet again, regardless of the type of show, band, or tour we're currently doing. Our intention is always to delve deeper into our own country and reveal the potential that each region has to organize events of this kind, breaking taboos and prejudices. I hope to see all this realized one day, not only for us, but for all the hardworking and worthy bands in this country.

WM: What was the biggest lesson and learning experience you took away from this tour?
AM: That friendship is timeless. That originality is timeless. Viper started making history 25 years ago, and it's more alive today than ever. If there hadn't been true friendship and great synergy, this tour might never have ended and fulfilled its purpose. And tolerance ends up being a lesson that comes out stronger from all of this. The feeling of "family" that existed between the band, the crew, the promoters, and the audience. Incredibly, we ended up knowing each other much better today than we thought we knew each other 20 years ago. And it was a pleasant surprise, because we rediscovered how much we have in common. And that we must always help each other, without individualism or egocentrism. Everyone has the same importance, whether in the band or the crew. There are no bosses or employees, there is trust and respect. The same respect that we managed to maintain for each other, often in extreme situations, and that was the great lesson in coexistence. A kind of reality show where there are no winners or losers!

Perhaps, if we had stayed together and as inexperienced as we were, we would have been just another band that falls apart over insignificant reasons.”

WM: What do you think would have happened to Viper if Andre hadn't left after that show at Dama Xoc in São Paulo so many years ago?
AM: I wouldn't have graduated in music or developed an international career when I founded Angra, for example. But Angra wasn't even in its embryonic stage at that time. My biggest concern was my studies. I had just started classical music school, which required an average of 8 to 12 hours of study per day! And it was my first year, I had to give it my all. When we recorded Theatre of Fate, this dilemma was already in the air. I remember arriving at the band, still in the studio, when we were finishing the album, and having a serious conversation with all of them… about how I would need to step away because of this decision. Which wasn't an easy decision – in fact, like all the others in my career. It was a bit frustrating for everyone, and for me too. A sad moment. But it was understood well. They only asked me to complete the tour after the album came out, and I agreed to do it. We kept this matter secret throughout the tour; we even made some appearances on TV shows at the time. Until the final moment arrived at the legendary Dama Xoc show in June 1990. We knew what awaited us there, but neither the audience nor our team and closest friends knew. We never announced our departure in a definitive way. And, months later, my return to the band was considered, but by then, we had already distanced ourselves somewhat, and while I immersed myself in my studies, the band went its own way with Pit on vocals. It's impossible to say what would have actually happened in the band's career if nothing had changed. We could have reached the top, we could have failed along the way. That doesn't matter. What matters is that the separation was peaceful and, 20 years later, it can be said that it was beneficial for everyone, as it made us grow individually and musically, and the result of all this is that our friendship has emerged stronger after all these years. And that's what we take away from this. Perhaps, if we had stayed together and inexperienced as we were, we wouldn't have had total control over our actions and we might have been just another band that falls apart for insignificant reasons. I prefer to believe that destiny wrote our stories in the best way possible!

WM: One of Viper's greatest successes, the excellent album Evolution, was released exactly 20 years ago. Can fans expect any kind of celebration to commemorate this great milestone and this great album?
AM: Since I wasn't part of this album – although I "regret" it nowadays, as I think it's a great album and I wish I had recorded it – I won't venture to say anything about any eventual celebration. The fact is, as far as I know, there's nothing planned in that regard, we haven't talked about it – also because it's a period of the band in which I was no longer involved. However, during the "To Live Again" tour shows, I had the opportunity to sing the song "Rebel Maniac," which, although not recorded by me, is an absolute classic. I thank my bandmates and especially Pit Passarell for the trust in letting me handle the vocals! It was always one of the most exciting moments of the show. I imagine that many of the songs from Evolution could have the same effect live, too.

WM: In 2013, the release of the DVD and double CD Live in São Paulo was already announced. How are the preparations for this big release going? Is Viper preparing something special for this occasion?
AM: Once again, I might be the last to know… Haha! The DVD was an excellent idea. A team of highly experienced professionals in both audio and video captured the main show in São Paulo – and there wasn't a single show from the tour that wasn't recorded in HD for the extras. I think the DVD will actually be the great tribute, the great legacy we'll leave for the fans as a record of this entire period. And it undoubtedly deserves at least a big launch party when it's ready.

WM: Will you be recording anything at The Farewell Concert in São Paulo on December 2nd for the Live in São Paulo DVD?
AM: As always, the final footage will be captured. Since the DVD production company is based in São Paulo, they'll certainly be there again with all their equipment, so we don't waste another chance to capture good footage. And, like any good farewell, it will probably be a particularly emotional moment. A story with a beginning, middle, and end. It would be wonderful if all the audience who attended the first show could come back for this farewell. And for those who couldn't go, now they finally have one last chance.

WM: The To Live Again Tour was a different kind of tour, marked by emotion. It was clear to the fans who saw the show how much fun the band was having on stage and how you all remain friends after so many years. What part(s) of the show moved you the most?
AM: The intro before the entrance, when we always hugged backstage, waiting to launch into Knights of Destruction. The retrospective video between the two parts of the show, showing rare footage from when we were teenagers and already in Viper. The sequence Living For The Night, A Cry From the Edge, and Moonlight. They will be forever etched in my memory. And the closing, with Evolution sung by Pit, then Rebel Maniac and We Will Rock You… followed by the Monty Python farewell theme, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” which always filled us with emotion as we greeted the audience. These are scenes that will never fade. And I don't want to say much more, otherwise I'll want to continue this tour forever!! 🙂

WM: Will the To Live Again Tour be missed?
AM: Yes. Short and sweet.

WM: Leave a message for Viper fans who are insistently asking the band not to break up after this tour.
AM: What I have to say to reassure them is that the band never actually broke up. It was one of the few that managed to do so. Members changed, styles changed, there were long breaks in activities… but suddenly, almost like magic, there we all were on stage, together again. We grew up together. We are like brothers. If the friendship doesn't end, the band doesn't end. Maybe one day, in the future, we'll come back with some surprise. Nobody can say no, and we certainly have the desire. We're going to put Viper into hibernation and in the meantime, we'll move forward individually, with the same determination. When the ice melts and winter passes, maybe the viper will awaken again… But before that, we will meet one last time for the grand farewell of this stage. Which will be unforgettable.

VIPER's tour closing show takes place on December 2nd at Via Marquês. Tickets are on sale at Ticket Brasil .