Having been existed since ’79, it wasn’t until ’85 that Vicious Rumors recorded their first album. This chunk of awesome was album number two for the band and came out in ’88 through good old Shrapnel, who at the time released all the ripping guitar metal music. I actually thought the band would break out of smallsville onto to a bigger stage, but sadly that did not happen. That double guitar onslaught of Geoff Thorpe and Mark McGee and the soaring vocals of Carl Albert should have been a home run.
This record was voted album of the year in a lot of metal magazines and they were hailed as the new power metal kings. They have been continuously releasing albums and are still going today, they just sort of slowly slipped down the ladder. Nevertheless, this is still one hell of a record with some epic guitar solos, crushing riffs, and high octane vocals.
Favourite tracks? Well, the title track is a bonafide speed metal classic, and the full on gallop of Worlds And Machines is top notch, but I’m going for the more classic sounding Towns On fire for top track. It has killer solos and a hook and chorus that is infectious.
If you’re a guitar freak then you really need this one. Great band and a great album.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
