Viper (band)

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Viper is a Brazilian Heavy Metal band formed in 1985 initially highly influenced by Iron Maiden and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, later developing a very particular sound.

Contents

1 Biography
2 Line-up

2.1 Former members

3 Discography

3.1 Albums
3.2 DVD's

4 External links

Biography

Viper's first album, Soldiers of Sunrise

Viper recorded their first demo tape in 1985, The Killera Sword. In 1987 they released their first album, Soldiers of Sunrise, which, despite the simple production, and the somewhat flawed English in the lyrics, showcased the high degree of talent and skill of the band's members - all of them teenagers at the time.

Viper's second (and most successful) album, Theatre of Fate

In 1989 they released Theatre of Fate, notable for the metal and classical music mix, with a song based on Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata; another noteworthy song is Living for the Night - possibly the favorite one of most Viper fans. This album was released in several countries and granted them international fame - especially in Japan, where it outsold renowned groups like Nirvana and Van Halen.

Not long after that, however, artistic disagreements caused singer André Matos to leave Viper to start his own band, Angra; rather than looking for another singer, bassist (and main composer) Pit Passarel took over the microphone. This led to the first major change in the band's style, noticeable in their next album, Evolution, released in 1992 - heavier, more direct, with a clear hardcore punk influence. Again, it is a commercial successful with good reviews.

In 1993 they played in Japan, and the concert's record becomes the album Maniacs in Japan.

In 1995 they released their next album, Coma Rage, in which the punk influence is even stronger - as the presence of a cover version of I Fought the Law makes very clear. Despite mixed reviews, it is again a fine seller.

1996 was possibly the band's darkest moment: soon after the release of Tem Pra Todo Mundo - their first album with lyrics in Portuguese, and a lighter, pop-like sound - the record label went bankrupt; legal disputes and the disappearance of the album's masters prevented the re-release of the album by some other label, or the recording of another album by Viper. The band's activities came to a halt, despite never officially breaking up.

In 1999 the compilation Everybody Everybody – The Best of Viper was released. Soon after, guitarist Yves Passarel joined the renowned pop-rock band Capital Inicial; his brother Pit also works with this band as a composer.

In 2004, with a new singer, Ricardo Bocci, Viper resumed touring in Brazil, and in 2005 they released a DVD documentary, 20 Years Living for the Night.

In December 2005 the band started working in the pre-production of a new album, and recorded a demo; in February 2006 they started recording the album.

Line-up

Ricardo Bocci (vocal)
Pit Passarell (bass)
Felipe Machado (guitar)
Val Santos (guitar)
Renato Graccia (drums)

Former members

Yves Passarell
André Matos
Guilherme Martin
Cassio Audi

Discography

Albums

Soldiers of Sunrise (1987)
Theatre of Fate (1989)
Evolution (1992)
Vipera Sapiens (EP, 1992)
Maniacs in Japan (live album, 1993)
Coma Rage (1995)
Tem Pra Todo Mundo (1996)
Everybody Everybody – The Best of Viper (1999)

DVD's

20 years - Living for the Night (2005)

External links

[Viper's official site]
[Viper TK] - includes 2005 demo downloads

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