Nothing Compares To Metal
Rating: 8
Review by Jim Harrison
German heavy metal band Velvet Viper is set to release their eagerly awaited new album Nothing Compares To Metal via Massacre Records on July 21, 2023. Hailing from Hamburg, Germany and originating in 1990, the band has a great sound bringing back that traditional metal sound updated to todays expectations.
According to the band, all tracks on this album are between five to seven minutes long as the songs need enough space to evolve with its different parts and complex structuring to create the drama the band wants their music to convey. This definitely explains that this is a labour of love and really gives the listener an interesting concept of feeling the music rather than just listening.
Vocalist, Jutta Weinhold has an amazing voice that doesn’t sound like any other singer giving Velvet Viper a true metal original identity. Guitarist Holger Marx, produces killer riffs that really showcases Jutta’s vocals. Bassist Johannes Horas Möllers gives that metal thump coupled with drummer Micha Fromm who pounds merciless on the skins. This band is a tight unit that I would love to see live.
Some of the highlights of the album start with the first track “Nothing Compares to Metal” that begins with a smoking base line and pounding drum beat that lead into a killer guitar riff. When Jutta’s voice cuts in the song explodes into an anthemic traditional metal experience. The second song “Invisible Danger” starts off with an Accept sound but quickly turns into a heavier groove and again the vocals on this track are strong. This is one of my two favourite tracks on this album. “Urd Wardande Skula” has a Sabbath doom sound to it which I really like. This is the second longest track on the album just over seven minutes, but the doom melodic feel to it really needs that time to grab the listener. ”Speak Truth to Power” chugs along with a massive riff and the drum intro gets this song going. This is more of a power metal track.
My other favourite track is “The Fourth Part”. This song is awesome with a massive pounding riff to start it off coupled with the loud drum beat and bass, making a traditional metal offering. I really like heavy metal that is original and when Jutta’s vocals rip in the song just takes off. This is the longest track on the album just over seven and a half minutes and again it needs to be that long. This could easily make
my top 10 songs of 2023, it’s that good.“New World Child” has a more progressive sound to it. This is a fast song that really gets the adrenaline flowing and would be awesome live. The last track on the album is “Es Kommit Die Ziet” is sung in German and has a cool Iron Maiden vibe to it. I like it when bands include a track sung in their native tongue, it exudes confidence and is a bonus to the listener.
This album is a perfect example that there still is original material available for metal fans in 2023. This band doesn’t follow, they lead, pushing an updated traditional metal sound with fantastic vocals and superb musicianship. I recommend this for fans of all metal genres, it’s honest and sounds great.
Jutta Weinhold Vocals
Holger Marx guitars
Johannes Horas Möllers bass
Micha Fromm drums