VICIOUS RUMORS — Digital Dictator (review)

VICIOUS RUMORS — Digital Dictator album cover Album · 1988 · US Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Digital Dictator" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US, California based power/heavy metal act Vicious Rumors. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in February 1988. It´s the successor to "Soldiers Of The Night" from 1985 and features two lineup changes since the predecessor as guitarist Vinnie Moore has been replaced by Mark McGhee and lead vocalist Gary St. Pierre has been replaced by Carl Albert. Especially the latter change has a big impact on the music. Not that Gary St. Pierre isn´t a great vocalist, because he certainly is, but Carl Albert is just one of those "out of this world" singers, who bring something unique to the band they are fronting.

While the material on "Soldiers Of The Night (1985)" were mostly in a traditional heavy metal style and only occasionally touched a harder edged US power metal sound, the material on "Digital Dictator" are mostly in US power metal territory. In fact I´d say it´s the very epitome of the genre (think a combination of early Queensrÿche and early Savatage and you´re halfway there). Hard edged heavy metal riffs with the occasional thrashy edge, blistering guitar solos and skillful harmony work, a tight and hard pounding rhythm section, and Carl Albert´s expressive vocals in front (backed by the occasional riot gang shouting choir). He can sing both raw and aggressive (for the genre), and high pitched and melodic.

The material on the 10 track, 38:57 minutes long album are well written and memorable (and also relatively varied). So in addition to high level performances by all involved, the songwriting is top notch too. Add to that a powerful, raw, and detailed sound production, and "Digital Dictator" is a high quality release in all departments. It´s a step up from the debut album and the sound of a band coming into their own. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I can´t say I´m a great fan, but they have a couple of albums which are pretty great...this one included.
Nightfly wrote:
more than 2 years ago
A great album from probably my favourite USPM bands.

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