Vredehammer (Norway): “Viperous”

Riff is the keyword of this album. Four years after Violator, Norwegian black / death metalers Vredehammer have churned out an amazing album that might definitively consecrate them. Viperous is an infinite riffs factory, to suit all tastes and seasons, and it is no coincidence that singer and guitarist Per Valla has also played with Abbath, another luminary in the field. Sometimes, I don't know why, Viperous makes me think of Dimmu Borgir, especially Death Cult Armageddon, perhaps because of the use of synths that makes it spicier. If you already are familiar with Vredehammer you will immediately notice the excellent work of the drums; Viperous is indeed the first album featuring the new German drummer Kai Speidel of symphonic black metal band Totengeflüster. With all due respect to previous drummer Felix, Kai is on another level: Vredehammer have surely won in the change, as Kai's superior technique and power is essential to live up to the immense loads of brutality and relentlessness that Viperous is meant to deliver. The sound of the guitars is scathing and biting like the fangs of a tiger (or a viper!), the vocals are harsh, and in addition there is no shortage of refined and sumptuous guitar solos. In conclusion Viperous is a fantastic exercise in black / death metal brutality. To me, one of the best albums in 2020.
 
Notes:
Viperous was released on March 6, 2020 through Indie Recordings.
 
Personnel:
Per Valla: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bass
Kristoffer Hansen: Guitars
Kai Speidel: Drums
 
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com