VIPER marked their return after 15 years with the release of their new album Timeless , which is available on CD at the official Wikimetal . The album, which follows All My Life (2007), is also the first with the current lineup consisting of Leandro Caçoilo (vocals), Kiko Shred (guitar), Pit Passarell (bass and vocals), Felipe Machado (guitar), and Guilherme Martin (drums).
The album, featuring previously unreleased tracks, was released via Wikimetal Music in June and is produced by Maurício Cersosimo and co-produced by former member Val Santos . The recording also included special appearances by other former members such as Yves Passarell , Hugo Mariutti , and Daniel Matos , brother of the late vocalist Andre Matos .
Now, Felipe Machado and Guilherme Martin comment on the album track by track, revealing the story behind the songs, the inspirations, and more. Check it out below.
1. "Under the Sun"
Felipe Machado: Great song to open an album – so good that we also chose it to open the shows. It was the first single and the first music video, and it's a good calling card for the public to know that VIPER is back in full force.
Guilherme Martin: It spontaneously became a VIPER classic, bringing together all the elements that evoke memories for the band's fans.
2. "Freedom of Speech"
Felipe Machado: It's not VIPER's custom to write political lyrics, but the world is in such chaos that I thought it was important to address this issue. Many politicians use the concept of freedom of expression to attack freedom of expression itself. The sound is very inspired by those old Iron Maiden , perfect for the audience to sing along to live. I also really like Kiko's solo.
Guilherme Martin: A straightforward song with a strong chorus, in true VIPER style!
3. "Timeless"
Felipe Machado: This song is my favorite on the album because I think it represents VIPER's new style well. It looks to the past and the future at the same time. It has an original sound, but it harks back to the Soldiers of Sunrise and Theatre of Fate . The lyrics say a little about how I feel about the band.
Guilherme Martin: The album's theme song. Traditional heavy metal with a melancholic chorus and instrumental, and very distinctive guitar work (solos and riffs).
4. "The Android"
Felipe Machado: "A real banger. There's no other word to describe this song. It's energetic and perfect for playing live. Pit managed to make a song that's more Motörhead than Motörhead themselves."
Guilherme Martin: Pit Passarell's return to vocals on a VIPER song! It showcases Pit's genius in other styles and brings back memories of VIPER's voice and attitude from when he was the frontman .
5. "The War"
Felipe Machado: A masterpiece that shows how Pit is a genius. It's a complex song, full of parts and references to VIPER's own past, but with an eye on the future. The lyrics are incredible too, very intelligent. Among Pit's songs on this album, it's my favorite.
Guilherme Martin: It's a piece, more than just a song. It's reminiscent of Theatre of Fate , with a conceptual theme and a 10-minute duration. It's definitely one of my favorites!
6. "Angel Heart"
Felipe Machado: It's a typical Pit composition: original and difficult to define. The fact that he sings gives the song an undeniable message – after all, "the devil with the heart of an angel" is the best definition for himself.
Guilherme Martin: This is Pit's most unique song on this album; the lyrics deal with controversial and current topics, and it's impossible to listen to it and not start singing along.
7. "Light in the Dark"
Felipe Machado: Leandro Caçoilo's first song with the band. It has a really cool riff and an incredible vocal line. It's a great performance by Leandro; in this song he shows why he's one of the greatest vocalists in the world today. Kiko's solo is one of my favorites on the album.
Guilherme Martin: Leandro Caçoilo's debut as a composer, it's a song in the best traditional heavy metal style, which is his great characteristic as a vocalist.
8. "Echoes in the Mirror"
Felipe Machado: It's a more modern song with more reflective lyrics, as if I were talking to myself in the mirror. Translated, the part I like best is this one, which I sing myself on the album: "We feel invincible / Young and irresistible / And everything is possible / When we are irresponsible.".
9. "VIT Righta"
Felipe Machado: Pit has a very unique style of composing. In the same way that he creates beautiful melodies, he can also create powerful and aggressive songs. This is the case with "VIT Righta," which has an even darker feel than the material from Coma Rage .
Guilherme Martin: Another song performed by Pit on vocals, ranging from a proto-industrial rhythm à la Killing Joke to a post-punk sound reminiscent of Joy Division . It shows that Pit, as a composer, has no limits and explores various musical styles.
10. "Thais"
Felipe Machado: Another beautiful ballad composed by Pit. It's touching to remember that he wrote this song for Thais , our dear friend who left us so soon. She passed away around the same time as Andre, which made this period even sadder for all of us, especially for Pit.
Guilherme Martin: A beautiful tribute to Pit's ex-wife and the mother of his daughter. It's a power ballad in the best Britpop style, sung by Natacha Cersosimo , with instrumental arrangements by Hugo Mariutti and Fábio Ribeiro .
11. "Reality"
Felipe Machado: I thought about creating a counterpoint to "Illusions," the introduction to Theatre of Fate . It's natural to have illusions when you're younger, but as life goes on, what really matters is the weight of reality.
