The Tenafly Vipers – “Reverse Tilt Action”
The Tenafly Vipers had been around a long time before Andy and I started TNB six years ago. That’s around the time we stumbled back onto the local punk scene, having been completely involved in the eighties and completely away from it in the nineties.
So, in the zero’s we returned- enjoying bands like The Spoilers, The Dimwits, Zippo Raid, Over The Edge and, this band- while the Abbey Lounge was the club to be and Darkbuster was the band to see.
But what set The Tenafly Vipers apart from the other bands we followed was their unconcealed love for metal. This was long before the big crossover of styles. This was long before grindcore, d-beat and power violence became the norm.
This band had bits of metal, bits of hardcore and bits of punk and the only band I could, at the time, legitimately describe as sounding like “modern metal.”
What they did sound like then and what they do sound like now, combines all the elements that TNB decided to promote- punk, metal and hardcore.
This they do- all grounded up, a few spices added, baked at 425 degrees for thirty minutes and served with cilantro and chives sprinkled on top.
I’m most certain, I’m off on the actual recipe- but I’m also, most certain, that when these cats are cookin’, they know the right pinch of punk here, the tablespoon of metal there, the dollop of hardcore to add to make each song a tasty, aural delight.
Okay, maybe this album is more likely to inspire you to have a hangover, but when it’s punch is so potent, as it’s here, that’s a small price to pay. Let’s lend them our ears:
“If I could fly, would you clip my wings?” With slashing, ricocheting guitars and rhythms that rock hard as Motorhead, “Out Of The Waste,” leaps at your throat like a famished coyote, while you try, unsuccessfully, to dart away. “It’s a miracle.” This song pounds and carouses with intense emotion reminding me of early Van Halen, in a way. There’s a neat part with stops and starts that entices modest, but terrific reactions with a great, searing guitar solo to boot. This song is the best of traditional pop/metal where power and passion is prominent and perseveres.
With an echo-y introduction and heavy, headbangin’ groove, “Darker Days,” makes its presence known alternating with another part that accelerates in rhythm and increases the excitement to a boiling point. “We’ve got a world to save, we can stop it now.” This song is like a jam between Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, with wah-wah guitar, a heavy, plodding rhythm and Ozzy-like penetrating vocals. And it revolves and resolves into a great, rockin’ tune.
“Big Dicks & $$$,” starts out like a jam between AC/DC, Motorhead and Motely Crue with big rock action and loud, bellowing vocals. This song is about as subtle as a jackhammer pressed against your skull. It rocks, it rages, it punishes and pulverizes your ears into a grain of salt. “This goddamn world,”- this goddamn song is great- my favorite on the EP.
“Reckoning,” is a hardcore burst of speed and sound that rushes along much like a car full of hardened criminals making a mad escape. “There will be a reckoning, sooner or later.” The strong vocals and relentless rhythm travels on recklessly, on unlit roads, but arrives at a destination that signifies another awesome song. Ending this great EP with the guitars screaming in fright as the rhythm pushes them all, over a cliff into the endless night.
After I started this review I saw a listing with The Tenafly Vipers playing a show at Koto in Salem, July 24th, about the time this review hits the internet news stands. This is not just an obvious plug for a show but a recognition of what I saw with this, an indication that this might be their last one. (This proved to be untrue.)
So, my immediate reaction was to shelve this review, because why promote a band that’s throwing in the towel when I could latch onto one that is rising to the top, ready to take TNB with it!
But as this band has been around a lot longer than TNB, us or this band is not important in the long run. What is important is beer.
Which may be true- but what I mean to say, is the styles The Tenafly Vipers so adeptly maneuver in, will live on with out us writing or them playing. And they will certainly outlive me (doctor’s give me eight months, at best!)
But keep in mind, to write about these Vipers now, is not to merely, write about the genres they encompass.
But to write about pain and the guts to withstand it, joy and the feeling it brings, truth and excitement, volume and passion, determination and belief, desire and commitment, wildness and freedom. And all the things that make up life, that make life worthwhile…
It’s here in this recording, it’s here in this band.
And it will-
be.
(Slimedog)
