20 months after their debut LP and in the midst of a global pandemic, Vipertime are back at it and what a joy it is to hear new tunes from the Leeds-based group.
Out on Hyde Park Book Club Records on Friday 5th February, the four-piece release their new double A-side 'Limbs' / 'All Our Heroes Are Dead'. As always, expect heavy jazz, twisted post-punk and North African-inspired grooves, and with their new release the grooves are deeper, improvisations reach further, and riffs drive harder.
Matías Reed's bassline is pounded out with the drums at the start of 'Limbs', so characteristic of their energy but always such a delight to dance around to. Ben Powling's saxophone takes inspiration from the recently deceased Steve Grossman, and he matches the pace and cuts through aggressively; 'Limbs' is a shorter but snappier song compared to previous releases.
Previously recorded on the band’s first EP of the same name, 'All Our Heroes Are Dead' has reached a new level of maturity and intensity as Vipertime strive for the same qualities. The song has a shimmering start with Luke Reddin-Williams and Charlie Grimwood moving ferociously on the drums and Reed's bass rippling through as Powling cries out on the sax.
The move into a hypnotic bassline feels calming and Powling's emotion is remarkable on the saxophone. The further we voyage through the track the more intensity emanates from each musician's playing, and the repeating phrasing in the outro will draw any audience into thrashing around chaotically to their punkish energy. This contrasts nicely to the meditative sounds reminiscent of John Coltrane, Gato Barbieri, and Sun Ra earlier in the song.
After forming as a free improvising group in early 2018, the band recorded their first EP All Our Heroes Are Dead, which received radio play on BBC 3, Worldwide FM and BBC Introducing. Debut LP Shakedown, released in May 2019, showed Vipertime in sharp focus with lethal intent, and the record saw them perform it live across the UK including at Lancaster Jazz Festival, Smugglers Festival, Band On The Wall, Brudenell Social Club and Hootananny Brixton. During 2020’s first lockdown Vipertime released Live At Smugglers Festival, a charity EP raising funds for Solidaritech. As you can see, they have a phenomenal output and luckily for us more tunes will be released this year to build on their previous releases.
They will be celebrating the new double single with a live-streamed performance from Brudenell Social Club this Friday too, as well as hosting an after party DJ set to start your weekend in the best possible way.
Vipertime's trajectory continues to rise and once gigs are back in business, they should be first on your list to see - not many acts can match their live performance and you will be left in greater awe of them.
Join the single launch on the below links, which begins at 1930 this Friday 5th February:
After Party DJ Set
Buy or stream 'Limbs' / 'All Our Heroes Are Dead' here:
- Bandcamp
Follow and keep up to date with Vipertime here:
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