The Celebration Tour will feature current and former members of the group.
Viper has announced a ten-show tour to celebrate their career. Featuring members of Angra and Shaman, as well as fellow band members, the "Viper & Guests – Celebration Tour" shows will be a Top Link production .
The news was released by the group members in an official statement. In it, Felipe Machado, Pit Passarell, Guilherme Martin, Hugo Mariutti, Leandro Caçoilo, Luis Mariutti, Ricardo Confessori , and Fábio Ribeiro thank Paulo Baron , responsible for the Celebration Tour , and Wikimetal for reuniting the band with Andre Matos.
"Words cannot express our gratitude to WIKIMETAL , who facilitated the band's reunion with Andre [Matos] To Live Again tour and made possible for many (including us) what was just a big dream," they wrote in the statement.
The announcement also mentions the presence of two drummers on stage. Guilherme Martin and Ricardo Confessori will alternate during the setlist. And in some songs, the two drummers will play together.
“What motivates us to come back in full force, first and foremost, are the fans and the affection we have received in recent months. There is also respect for the memory of the greatest and most talented musician in the history of Brazilian heavy metal, a true brother with whom we had the honor of living and working for decades on and off stage.”
More information about the tour should be released soon. "Welcome to the new chapter that begins today."
Read the band's full statement:
"It is with great honor and boundless pride that we announce VIPER & GUESTS – CELEBRATION TOUR."
This series of 10 shows will be a celebration of VIPER's career, but also a unique production and a tribute to all the fans. Not only because of the repertoire, but also because we will be joined by great musicians and friends (some have never played together before) and two drum kits on stage.
These ten performances will be produced by businessman Paulo Baron, of Top Link Music. Paulo joins the family and will be responsible for the band's future projects.
Words cannot express our gratitude to WIKIMETAL, who facilitated the band's reunion with Andre on the 'To Live Again' tour and made possible for many (including us) what was once just a big dream.
What motivates us to come back in full force, first and foremost, are the fans and the affection we've received in recent months. There's also the respect for the memory of the greatest and most talented musician in the history of Brazilian heavy metal, a true brother with whom we had the honor of sharing decades on and off stage.
And lastly, but equally important, we decided to face all of this ourselves. Music is our life. Our life is music. This is what we live for.
Everything we have done is and always will be dedicated to our fans of all ages and backgrounds, the people who have been with us since April 8, 1985, when we first stepped onto the stage.
All of this history, all of these songs, all of these unforgettable memories simply wouldn't exist without you.
That's why we can only say one thing: thank you for everything. Thank you for sharing this journey. And welcome to the new chapter that begins today.
VIPER, August 8, 2019
Felipe Machado, Pit Passarell, Guilherme Martin, Hugo Mariutti, Leandro Caçoilo, Luis Mariutti, Ricardo Confessori, Fábio Ribeiro, Paulo Baron