VICIOUS RUMORS — Vicious Rumors (review)

VICIOUS RUMORS — Vicious Rumors album cover Album · 1990 · US Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Vicious Rumors" is the eponymously titled 3rd full-length studio album by US, California based power/heavy metal act Vicious Rumors. The album was released through Atlantic Records in February 1989. It´s the successor to "Digital Dictator" from 1988 and features the exact same five-piece lineup who recorded the predecessor.

Stylistically Vicious Rumors continue to play the US power/heavy metal style of their first two albums and the material on this album are a natural successor to the music on especially "Digital Dictator (1988)". It´s hard rocking pounding heavy metal with the occasional thrashy edge and a lead vocalist in Carl Albert who are among the elite contemporary singers on the scene. The man is an absolute joy to listen to as he sings, screams, and snarls his way through the album. He has both the voice and the skills to pull off all vocal styles he tries his hand at. He is backed by a very well playing band too (I´d especially mention the really strong lead guitar playing), and the musicianship is overall on a very high level.

While most tracks on the album are hard rocking heavy metal tracks (some mid-paced and heavy and some a little faster), there is especially one track featured on the album which is more dynamic and adventurous. "Ship of Fools" features a slightly progressive edge to it (and a strong Queensrÿche influence), and is generally quite the interesting track. The opening trio of tracks "Don´t Wait For Me", "World Church", and "On The Edge" are also strong material too, and I´d also mention the fast-paced "Hellraiser" and the heavy "Down to The Temple" as standout tracks. It´s when the band cater to a more commercial audience on tracks like "Can You Hear It" and "Axe And Smash", that they are least interesting. All material on the 10 track, 39:44 minutes long album are well written and memorable though.

The album features a powerful, sharp, and detailed sounding production. It´s reverb laden which is a time-typical feature, but it´s well sounding and brings out the best in the material. Upon conclusion "Vicious Rumors" is a strong release by Vicious Rumors despite a couple of less remarkable tracks, but they are outweighted by the remarkable ones. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I´m not sure if this one or Digital Dictator is my favorite, but the choice is between those two...
Nightfly wrote:
more than 2 years ago
To this day my favourite Vicious Rumors album.

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