Review by; Kayleigh
After being away for a few years bluesy rock band 100 Watt Vipers are back with their EP ‘Wired for Power’. The new EP delivers fuzzy blues rock that sticks true to 100 Watt Vipers sound.
‘Living Free’ opens the EP and gives listeners a little warm up into the band’s smooth blues rock. It would be hard not to compare their sound to the likes of AC/DC. The classic instrumental rumbles in and the raspy vocals beg you stay. ‘Living Free’ sets the tone for the EP and from the get-go you kind of know what you are going to experience through the rest of the seven tracks.
Again, pulling you in with a fuzzy rumble ‘Hell Hounds’ welcomes listeners with a gentle beat and soon enough the enticing vocals follow. This was the first of a few tracks on ‘Wired for Power’ that I thought might have a little more energy behind them but instead ‘Hell Hounds’ seems to grow in power and become this gentle track that is also a force to be reckoned with.
‘The Eagle Flys Free’ is the first track on ‘Wired for Power’ that I can say that I really liked. This one has a nice groove to it and is a piece of music that you just want to sink your teeth into. There is a lot of power backing the vocals which seem to take centre stage in the verses while the classic tone of the guitars fuels the catchy chorus.
The first time we see a real burst of energy on this EP is with the song ‘Kings and Queens of the Streets’. It maybe doesn’t get as explosive as I’d hoped for but that just isn’t 100 Watt Vipers style. This song however is electric, and if the stomping drumbeat doesn’t make you want to stick around then the commanding vocals certainly will. Much like every other song on the EP it’s very AC/DC style rock, and it’s done well.
My favourite track on ‘Wired for Power’ is ‘Holy Road’, this one will make you want to move. I personally couldn’t help but nod my head along with the slightly dirtier riff. The minute long instrumental intro pulls you into the song before the soaring vocals really grab you. I have to say as much as I’ve been impressed with the vocals throughout this whole album I feel in ‘Holy Road’ they really shine. The superb vocal talents combined with the powerful beat, strong leading guitars and the rumble of the bass makes this a standout track for me. I got a wild west sort of feeling from this song and you can just picture someone walking for days in the desert to this track but with hope in their hearts.
I would say that the last two songs on ‘Wired for Power’, the title track and ‘Sword Hits the Stone’ are probably my least favourite. Both are giving more of the same and I think by this point I had heard enough to satisfy my appetite. Both good songs though, and if it wasn’t for having listened to the whole EP in one go, I probably could have enjoyed them more. ‘Wired for Power’ as a track I just thought didn’t have enough variation within it to keep my attention while ‘Sword Hits the Stone’ filled the “ballad” slot on the EP. A little slower with decorative guitars but nothing that stands out.
Overall, I would say that 100 Watt Vipers are doing what they do best, delivering an enjoyable classic blues rock sound. You can tell that these guys have been doing this for a while and have found exactly what works for them. I personally would have liked to see them maybe get a little experimental and give us a random track that isn’t as similar to the others but it’s also not a bad thing to stick to what you know, especially when what you know works. ‘Wired for Power’ is an EP that I will be listening to and enjoying again but maybe not all at once. For fans of the classic, smooth blues rock sound with a Southern twang this will be right up your street.
3.5 out of 5
Tracklist
01. Living Free
02. Hell Hounds
03. The Eagle Flies Free
04. Kings and Queens of the Streets
05. Holy Road
06. Wired for Power
07. Sword Hits the Stone
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