From the band's EPK: VELVET VIPER rose out of the ashes of ZED YAGO and released a debut album back in 1991. An additional long player (album) followed before a hiatus took over. Jutta Weinhold (vocals) and bandmates returned in 2017 and a streak of releases followed. Two years after having delivered the "Cosmic Healer" album, VELVET VIPER has a new album in the starting blocks. "Nothing Compares to Metal", released July 21, 2023, this is the title of the record and a statement too. The remining question is, if the long player can live up to such a bold title and yes, it can. "Nothing Compares to Metal" is a strong metal album and the best one in the band's history. One feels more reminded of the ZED YAGO times and songs like the title track are a good example. A thundering rhythm section great guitar work and Weinhold's unique vocals, these are the ingredients for a well-crafted record, with a natural old-school sound with only some little sprinkles of keyboard here and there, and they tried to capture their live sound they love so much as well. Hello again, back to me: Originally formed in Germany in 1990, with this latest release, their sixth overall, and Weinhold drawing comparisons to DORO PESCH, (that's some big shoes to fill) in addition all the songs in a 5-7-minute running time, I've got a funny feeling inside that this will be one of those "love it or hate it" albums and anticipating a very eventful listen.

Well, I'll start out by saying musically they are kinda, sort of, petty good on the opening and title track "Nothing Compares to Metal" there's a hardened beat and tempo with more twists and turns than a day time soap opera storyline, with a unique styling of rock, symphonic and even operatic, quite a mish mosh. Now, the vocals, hmmmm, they seem flat at times and over-the-top at times. Needless to say, this produces a very unbalanced song that lumbers on with no real destination, so very curious where the second track "Invisible Danger" leads. A meatier riff opens with a strong bass lead until the sludgy vocals once again appear with distorted cadence that just has no real substance and take the song down an unmelodious path. "Speak Truth to the Power" has a mysterious element with hard core riff and very nice guitar solo tossed in midway but once again uneven vocalising leave the song lacking grit and bite. A cool, tight embracing tempo and beat open up promising on "Rise from the Fallen" with little backing help from the lacklustre vocals once again. Ending with "Ess kommt die Zeit" sung in German and meaning "The Time is Coming", actually is the best and bounciest vocal performance on the album with a nicely rambunctious ride in a cohesive execution.

Well, one thing is for sure, Jutta Weinhold and Doro Pesch should never be mentioned in the same sentence.... ever. I'd have to describe the musical composition and vocals of VELET VIPER as water and oil, they just don't mix. There were some brief tastes of crushing vibes and riffs, just too few and when the songs all flirt with six to seven minutes long, it's hard to maintain a memorable listening experience. Other than some decent lyrics, nothing to get excited about at all.