Vipers

Reviews

Vipers Way Out EP

There must be something in the water in Buffalo, and whatever it is, it’s responsible for some of the best hardcore in recent years—this is no exception. VIPERS feature members of COKE BUST, SCIENCE MAN, and BROWN SUGAR, and I am stoked to say they sound nothing like any of those bands! It’s menacing hardcore punk delivered at breakneck speed with intense vocals and a dash of straight-up rock’n’roll guitar-playing. “Preferia” sounds like SOA colliding with early SEPULTURA, topped off with a guitar solo that would make Wayne Kramer proud. “Coxinha Motherfuckers” is a standout for me, blending CIRCLE JERKS-style riffage under a savage scream of “I have no patience / Coxinha Motherfuckers / You’re driving me insannnne.” I thought he was talking about chicken! Absolutely bonkers. Play it loud!

Vipers Outta the Nest! LP

While this is undoubtedly ’60s punk revival time, this particular approach leaves me somewhat unexcited. It’s on the pop/folk-rock side of the genre, with a little too much cuteness and too many “girl” songs. There are some rough edges (good!), but they’re few and far between.

Vipers Never Alone / Left Your Hold on Me 7″

Neo-’60s psychedelia has a good outing with this release from New York’s VIPERS. “Never Alone” rates as a winning amalgam of cheesy organ, mildly snot-nosed vocals, and distinctive songwriting that should leave you singing the melody, whereas the flip seems somewhat less catchy. Still, a respectable and entertaining record.