Viper Soup Complex
Seven years on from the release of their debut album, Maltese avant-proggers Viper Soup Complex say their creative process “has become more like sculpting than running a factory line.”
Their new EP, 'Tetrahedron Paradise', paints a picture of a band wanting to showcase everything they’ve got. One moment, a riff that could sit above blast beats, the next, a carnival jazz interlude. It’s brash and indefinable, yet polished and flowing – an exercise in chaotic precision that, despite relentless changes in direction, remains coherent thanks to a commitment to perfection on all fronts.
The diversity of the quartet’s influences (which range from Opeth to Chick Corea via classical guitar and classic metal) is arguably what led them to forge such a captivating sonic world in the first place, but this love of “throwing things and seeing what sticks” is deftly balanced by “a lot of trial and error, an open mind and a willingness to let go of your own ideas.”
Viper Soup Complex believe that collaboratively writing, recording, and mixing at drummer Melchior Busuttil’s studio is key to the success of their complex compositions. It gives them “the freedom to really dig deep into the material. [They] were able to sift through ideas, rework sections, and fine-tune every detail until everything felt right.” The end result may sound spontaneous, but in truth, every element is carefully controlled.
And their dedication to detail doesn’t end in the studio. Vocalist Annemarie Spiteri channels a love of Kate Bush, musical theatre, and “an intense need for complete expression” into a variety of stage personas that she transitions between seamlessly. It may not be obvious at first glance, but her every move is as meticulously choreographed as their music. Viper Soup Complex are not just a band that should be seen live – it’s an essential part of the experience.
They expand: “Sometimes [Spiteri’s stagecraft] portrays what’s behind the scenes by expressing thoughts that are not explicitly stated in the lyrics. At other times, the characters embody a broader theme or narrative, as if the song echoes a distant past while the character is rooted in the present.”
They explain that the lyrics of 'Tetrahedron Paradise', for example, simply reflect “a character’s lust, need, and desire.” On stage, however, Spiteri shows the audience the character’s “fear of losing her identity through her frustrated attempts to remove a mask she had resisted wearing throughout the performance.” The average listener isn’t privy to the character’s vulnerability – this extra context is reserved for the live audience.
In 'The Well In The Labyrinth', “she’s a lost damsel in distress, then the Minotaur itself, then a soldier in turmoil who transforms into a politician making grand, sweeping declarations.” She even ends up walking amongst the audience, making intense eye contact that draws them directly into her surreal reality.
Few bands are able to successfully create such a genre-defying sound, let alone an immersive, four-dimensional storytelling experience — listeners may get to see Viper Soup Complex’s paintings, but audiences get to help mould their sculptures.
- Dan Peeke
PROG FILE:
Line-Up: Annemarie Spiteri (vocals), Michael Spiteri (bass), David Ciantar (keyboards), Melchior Busuttil (drums), Sean Anastasi (guitars)
Sounds Like: A chaotic, emotive and playful take on prog metal, mixed with Van Der Graaf Generator-esque eclecticism and Kate Bush-style theatrics
Current Release: //The Tetrahedron Paradise// EP is out soon
Website: www.vipersoupcomplex.com