Viper - Theatre of Fate
Limb Music Products
Melodic Metal
8 songs (34'43)
Release year: 1991
Limb Music Products
Reviewed by Ben
Archive review

Theatre of Fate by the South American metal band Viper is perhaps one of the most overlooked albums in metal, if there ever was an essential album from the vaults, well then, this is it. Featuring a pre-Angra Andre Matos on vocals, and the Passarell brothers on guitar and bass, the definitive Viper lineup is rounded off by Felipe Machado on guitar and Renato Graccia on drums. That Matos is singing on here is what will lure most people in but the fact is every song, with the exception of Moonlight is written by Pit Passarell. The music found on Theatre of Fate can best be described as melodic speed metal with a hard edge to it not unlike that of an Iron Maiden, early Testament hybrid. (Just listen to the solos on Living for the Night!) Andre’s vocals are superb like always, this man is a blueprint for aspiring singers and while he hits the soaring notes on here, he doesn’t do the “squeaks” that a lot of people accuse him of so that’s good. The songs themselves are simply amazing, no filler, none whatsoever and there’s only two real complaints I have. One, the production is kinda flat but since this came out in 1991 that’s expected, and two, THIS ALBUM IS WAY TOO SHORT!!! Less than thirty five minutes!!! That’s inexcusable except if this was 1968 where vinyls were the only format around and they could only hold forty minutes of music. I digress however, quality over quantity right?

After the “Look at me I’m the obligatory intro track found on almost every single melodic metal album since 1988” track, Illusions comes the first asskicker of the album, At Least A Chance. Right from the get go you know this band doesn’t mess around, its like the stars aligned and they got every ingredient right for their band, a solid rhythm section, a killer vocalist, two guitarists that own, and a songwriter that can craft splendid songs with ease that have hooks, great melodies, and godly headbanging solos. One thing that this song establishes that keeps reoccurring throughout the album is that the solos go from an 80’s type thrash sound (shredding, etc) to a Power Metal feel in the same passage. I thought that was pretty cool and unique. Also there is a small orchestrated section here composed by Mr. Matos that gives listeners a glimpse of the brilliance that he would bring to Angra. To Live Again is one of my absolute favorite songs on here and that is greatly because of Andre’s singing. He belts out the verses quite fast and rhythmically and the chorus is damn catchy. An introspective song, I like the lyrics very much as they deal with what can happen to anyone, wishing to go back and relive the glory days, so to speak, and stuck in their terrible present. Once again, the solos are perfect and made for blasting out your truck window to onlookers that think that Linkin Park is talented to show them what real music is. A Cry From the Edge starts off relatively slow, with acoustic guitars and a sweet lick played over it. It keeps building until the drums kick in later and you just have that feeling that this song is gonna rule, and guess what? It does. After that glorious intro comes a breakneck thrash riff, (here’s where the Testament comparison comes into place) with Andre once again showing us how great his vocal chords are. Yet again, when the solos come around they are just perfect! Really, I am just amazed that this band did not break it as they have it all when it comes to talent. The heaviest song on here, A Cry From the Edge pleases this reviewers ear quite well. Living For the Night is next. It is in this reviewers opinion that on this one single song, Viper has reached their musical zenith. Everything that is righteous about metal is contained within this 5.25 minute song. To hear me describe it is simply not enough, one must listen to it to fully appreciate it. I will say this however, Living For the Night ranks up there as one the best metal songs of all time in my mind. With a layered vocal intro straight out of the soon to be Angra Prelude to Oblivion begins. Here Andre sings a little differently, a bit more hoarse at first with more attitude than we are accustomed to. An uplifting track with very happy sounding guitar melodies, this is a short but definitely sweet song. The title track is a pretty varied affair that combines the pounding heaviness of previous songs, a short drum solo, more speed thrash riffs, and a classical sounding guitar solo. The “real” last song in my mind as the next one, Moonlight is a ballad. Written by Matos, Moonlight has a lot of layered vocals and some more orchestration and is a pretty powerful track. This shows us what’s in store for the future as hints of such songs as Stand Away and Deep Blue can be found.

As you can tell by the review Theatre of Fate is simply put, an extraordinary album. Fans of melodic metal cannot ask for much more than what is on here as this cd has everything one desires in melodic appeal. It’s also quite interesting to note the similarities between Theatre of Fate and Matos era Angra. They aren’t overtly obvious but there are hints of what is to come here and there. This is a buy or die album, it belongs in every single metalheads cd collection and is as essential as music can get.

Killing Songs :
Everything kills, but personal favorites are To Live Again, Living For The Night, and A Cry From the Edge
Ben quoted 91 / 100
Other albums by Viper that we have reviewed:
Viper - Soldiers Of Sunrise reviewed by Ben and quoted 75 / 100
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