EP: “Haunted House” by Bamboo Vipers

Those Bamboo Vipers boys have been busy in the studio again with their follow-up to the “Silver Boots” EP. The “Haunted” EP shows a new side to their output and a great level of experimentation. Opening with the title track “Haunted House” there’s a mish-mash of an intro with some twisted guitars. Shaun’s agitated vocal then kicks in and just rises and rises through to the chorus. Lyrically imaginative about taking residence in a haunted dwelling, the wah-wah guitars and twisted chords match Jake’s (drums) thumping drumbeat on this spooky number.

Staying in the sinister ballpark “Malcontent” slowly builds with hints of Misfits in parts. Experimental in the extreme the song ebbs and flows from slow to fast. The bridge is part Horror/Punk, part Goth. More twisted guitar parts and various noises coming from all corners before it fades to its conclusion.

Payback is an honest tale about break-up/loss/breakdown. Lyrically on point – not least in the chorus! No-one will be in any doubt about the sentiment! More samples/edits and experimentation with a well-chosen sample at the beginning, giving way to a pacey guitar part and phrenetic drumming. The song then veers from slow to fast with samples injected randomly. Shaun (vox) passionately delivers an angry and personal vocal with gusto. I just wonder how he keeps a straight face during the chorus?! A noodly bridge with yet more twisted chords gives way to the vocal before more noodling. Dual vocals then take it to its conclusion. At seven minutes it’s overlong, but one imagines it would be a great set closer should they ever grace a stage sometime soon.

With Bamboo Vipers on a self-imposed hiatus one can only speculate if we will ever hear these songs in the live arena. I imagine a groundswell of encouragement may be the only course of action because these songs are way too good to be just sitting in our I-tunes!