Review by Peter Finn for MPM
Vicious Rumors is an American heavy metal band formed in 1979 in San Francisco, California. Known for their powerful vocals and intricate guitar work, the band has undergone numerous lineup changes over the decades but has remained a principal player in the metal scene.
The members have included founder and guitarist Geoff Thorpe, who has been a constant presence, and vocalists like Carl Albert and Brian Tucker. Their discography boasts notable albums such as ‘Digital Dictator’ (1988), the self-titled ‘Vicious Rumors’ (1990), and ‘Warball’ (2006), showcasing their evolution from traditional heavy metal to more progressive sounds.
Vicious Rumors gained a cult following despite facing significant tragedies, including the death of their original vocalist Carl Albert in a car accident in 1995, which deeply affected the band. Their resilience and dedication to their craft have cemented their reputation as one of the enduring bands in the genre.
‘The Devil’s Asylum’ is their 13th studio album release, since their debut ‘Soldiers of the Night’ in 1985. According to Geoff Thorpe: “‘The Devil’s Asylum’ sees us return to our roots, which we’ve combined with contemporary influences.” He continues: “Vicious Rumors look back at a career that spans 45 years, so there’s only one goal for us: Everything we do should always be significant, every show, every song, every new album. This band has always stood for maximum intensity, powerful music and lots of new, fresh ideas.”
Vicious Rumors current line-up includes, founder Geoff Thorpe (guitars), original member Larry Howe (drums and vocals), long-time member Robin Utbult (bass), with new members Chalice (vocals) and Denver Cooper (guitars).
‘The Devil’s Asylum’ consists of 11-tracks with an overall running time of just under 46-minutes. It will be available from August 29th 2025 on Steamhammer/SPV.
The album kicks off with ‘Bloodbath’, it’s a ferocious pace from the start, Judas Priest like riffs, and Chalice throwing in Halford-esque screams. Howe is delivering a rapid salvo of drum-beats. The tempo alternates between supersonic and light-speed. Buckle up, this is going to be one hell of a ride.
Chalice demonstrates his vocal range during ‘Dogs Of War’, dropping down the scale. The hypnotic riffs of Thorpe and Cooper, emphasizing the controlled aggression held within his lyrics. The earworm of a melody has the listener subconsciously nodding along. This is an impressive and strong start from Vicious Rumors.
The charging and anthemic ‘Crack The Sky In Half’ follows, Chalice chants the lyrics, a live performance will see the crowd punching the air. Thorpe provides a screaming solo to delight the air guitarists; the track contains clever tempo changes and a mix of vocals that makes you eager for more. Underneath the twin guitars, the rhythm section of Utbult and Howe give the track a powerful heartbeat. The track closes with a big symphonic finish.
The wonderfully alliterative titled ‘High Hell Hammer’ is next. Howe brings the track in, with Thorpe and Cooper in close attendance. A chugging circular riff implicates urgency, a chanted chorus of backing vocal is the perfect ‘Ying’ to Chalice’s screaming ‘Yang’, an impressive combination.
Vicious Rumors appear to step back in time with ‘Butchers Block’, it’s built on an 80’s metal sound, slow and forceful riffs and breaks add a stoner twist. Chalice’s lyrics are delivered with a sleazy punch. A chance to gather your breath, maybe so, until Thorpe ends the track with a static inducing solo.
‘Abusement Park’ sees Chalice adopt the style of legendary story teller Alice Cooper. His steady paced narrated lyrics sit on a roller coaster of power riffs and pounding beats. The sounds bring clear imagery of the thrills and excitement of an Amusement Park, with a not so subtle, cheeky play on words with the song title.
Utbult’s burbling bass, Howe’s steady beat with Chalice’s spoken lyrics begin ‘Wrong Side Of Love’. The track contains elements of a LA Sleaze vibe, the band express themselves with a rich and full sound, a growling Chalice controls the pace, the guitar breaks send the track to soaring heights.
A thunderous introduction and Chalice’s angry vocal instigates ‘Boring Day In Hell’. The harmonized backing vocals add something different, the tempo ebbs and flows as Thorpe and Cooper swap between thrashy riffs and squealing solos. Utbult’s bass starts the stampede to the finish.
The thrash metal continues with ‘In Blood We Trust’. The pace is relentless; the energy is off the scale. The circle pit will be spinning with guile of a catherine wheel as the vocals are delivered with venom. Howe’s limbs moving like pistons in a racing engine. This track takes no prisoners.
The slow and heavy ‘Better Than Me’ is the penultimate track. Chalice’s animated clipped lyrics are trading blows with the thumping beats. Thorpe and Cooper lead the track to a close, their guitars squealing electronic theremin like sounds.
The album finishes with the title-track ‘The Devil’s Asylum’. Fast beats, high speed guitar shredding, seismic vocals, the whole of Vicious Rumors artillery is launched during this track, and the outcome is exhilarating.
Vicious Rumors with ‘The Devil’s Asylum’ have produced a superb album that collates elements of thrash, speed, power, and good old fashioned heavy metal, adding a fistful of sleaze and buckets of energy. They ball them up, and then ram the mixture down the listeners auditory canal. The sensation is amazing.
Pre-Order The Devil’s Asylum HERE:
During July in Germany, and after the conclusion of their European Tour, Geoff Thorpe whilst returning to his apartment, tripped and fell over in the dark, resulting in a serious injury to his right shoulder which has required surgery. Unfortunately, their upcoming American dates have been moved back to 2026. We at Metal Planet Music, wish him a speedy and successful recovery and hope it’s not too long before he’s back prowling the stage.
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Photo Credit: Robin Utbult
