Artist: VICIOUS RUMORS
Album: WARBALL (CD JAPAN-IMPORT)

Release date: 2006
EAN/UPS: 4527516006563
Media type: CD

Vicious Rumors are back and they are Screaming for vengeance. Anyone who likes Heavy Metal, especially Painkiller-era Judas Priest, should give this album a chance. I'm certain most will embrace it. Vicious Rumors' music is aggressive, powerful and fueled with a fire and a passion that is overwhelming on several occasions.

Band leader Geoff Thorpe has managed to bring back original drummer Larry Howe and bassist Dave Starr, and thus a most excellent rhythm section is reborn. When Sonic Rebellion tore through my speakers I was immediately reminded of the classic Digital Dictator album from 1988, there is that same high energy and drive to the music which makes it feel fresh and invigorating without needing any kind of "modern" touch. Sonic Rebellion smashes every shred of doubt that Vicious Rumors are holding anything back. The guitar work is crackling, the rhythm section is tight and ultra heavy while the energized vocal delivery is over-the-top. All this results in a song that packs a punch, which would have made The Incredible Hulk proud. At just 2:55 it serves as a nice introduction of what is to come.

Singer James Rivera (Helstar, Destiny's End, Flotsam & Jetsam, Seven Witches) is a great addition to the band and helps keep the music constantly on the edge. His voice is all over the place, handling his insane high pitch just as well as the lower registers. It may take a little while to get used to his wild delivery, but I absolutely love it. Take a listen to Ghost Within for an example of how high this man goes, but remember to strap your balls/knockers tight first… The only place where the vocals do not deliver is in the album closer Oceans of Rage. As far as I can hear Geoff and James switch vocals here, but James' delivery is too crazed for my taste, even if it fits nicely with the lyrics.. It has plenty of aggression but is lacking in melody.

Complementing Rivera's voice is another Vicious Rumors trademark, the background harmony vocals, which play off the main voice. They add a special intensity to the mix and work extremely well, especially in songs like Sonic Rebellion, Dying Every Day and Immortal.

The guitar work on the album is a definite highlight. Geoff Thorpe is the main guitarist, but Thaen Rasmussen (Anvil Chorus) plays lead on 3 tracks while special guest, Brad Gillis (Night Ranger, Ozzy Osbourne) displays his guitar skills on 5 tracks. The guitar work is aggressive, inventive and constantly pushing the music forward.

Among several favorites is Dying Every Day, which opens with a nice atmospheric introduction, not one bit preparing you for the monster riff that suddenly blows through the speakers. Followed by the sublime Immortal the album reaches a pinnacle. The song is extremely heavy and the way the opening line "Rolling Thunder" is delivered is chilling. Another highlight is Crossthreaded, the only song sung solely by Geoff. This beast is driven by satisfying, heavy riffs and a very melodic chorus.

Thrown in the middle of these high speed killers is the mid tempo title track. It has some great guitar work going for it, but is not among my favorites, maybe because it lacks a captivating melody and variety in the vocal department.

Mr. Miracle is incredibly intense until it reaches its unexciting chorus. Its nerve wrecking ending makes up for that one shortcoming though. What power!

The only breather on the album is the acoustic ballad, Windows of Memories which James wrote for his late father. A sad and thoughtful song.

The production is excellent. The guitars are thick and mean while the drums have a deep oomph to them, making for a very powerful sound.

Vicious Rumors are headed in the right direction. In time-stopping glimpses the album captures past glory, but overall it is "just" a solid, highly enjoyable Heavy Metal album. Hopefully this constellation will stay together for several future albums for therein lies a bright, promising and certainly vicious future.

TRACKLIST:

1. Sonic Rebellion
2. Mr. Miracle
3. Dying Every Day
4. Immortal
5. Warball
6. Crossthreaded
7. Wheels Of Madness
8. Windows Of Memory
9. Ghost Within
10. Oceans Of Rage

LINE-UP:

James Rivera (vocals)
Geoff Thorpe (guitar)
Ira Black (guitar)
Cornbread (bass)
Dan Lawson (drums)