Review: 100 Watt Vipers New Album ‘Holy Water’

August of 2018, 100 Watt Vipers released a follow up to their 2017 album Salvation Blues album called Holy Water.  (Digital Beat Magazine was able to get a copy to review.)  Paul Joseph (guitar) and DJ Riddick (vocals/drums) are the current members of the band. 100 Watt Vipers have separated and reformed in several times since 2013.

Despite the Jacksonville, Florida band’s history, 100 Watt Vipers have five albums to their catalog including Something Wicked Comes This Way [Jul 30, 2014], Cold Sunday Blues [Feb 25, 2016],  Hellbound Train Rollin’ [Nov 25, 2016] and Salvation Blues [Jul 14, 2017].

Before doing this review, I took a look at the bands Facebook page to get an idea of what the band is all about. On the ‘About’ page, under the section ‘Artist We Also Like’, is AC/DC and Albert Collins. On Holy Water opening track, I could hear some of those influences. I’m not sure if writing ‘Aces High’ the notes, I know when writing influences come out in forms of ideas, but when you listen to the song you can hear some of the bluesy style riffs of AC/DC.

The album mixed the sounds of distortion, mixed with the use of the slide, and the sounds of DJ Riddick on vocals. One track that puts this sound, front and center, is the title track “Holy Water”. It is an instrumental piece that showcases the bands instrumental style and grace. It is only 2 minutes and 24 seconds long, but the sounds of the slide come to life.

There are some songs that fall into the category of “great driving song”. Turn the radio on just drive, well “We Ride On” is a song that fall into that category. It has a great upbeat from the drum and a catch riff from the guitar. Once you hear it, the listener cannot help but picture driving on an open highway and listening to it.

If your music taste include the slide guitar and the blues, then you might want to check out Holy Water by 100 Watt Vipers. You will not be disappointed. To find out where to purchase the album, go to the 100 Watt Viper’s Facebook page for details.

DBM Rating: 8/10

Track List:

1. 1. Aces High
   2. Penny In The Well
   3. You Ain’t Gonna Take Me Down
   4. The Bell Tolls Heavy
   5. The Thunder Cries
   6. I Am the Traveler
   7. Holy Water
   8. My Old Bible
   9. No Salvation in These Fields
   10. After the Storm Comes the Peace
   11. We Ride On
   12. Hard Summer Coming Down
   13. Ain’t Got No Golden Cup