Having read some other reviews of Vicious Rumors’ ‘Warball’, it is surprising to see that many equate this release to their 1990 and 1992 ‘Welcome To The Ball’ albums, both deemed to be superb.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Vicious Rumors
ALBUM: Warball
LABEL: Mascot Records
SERIAL: M 7206 2
YEAR: 2006
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Geoff Thorpe – all guitars, lead vocals, backing and harmony vocals * James Rivera – lead vocals * Larry Howe – drums, backing and harmony vocals * Dave Starr – bass
Additional Musicians: Brad Gillis, Thaen Rasmussen – lead guitar
TRACK LISTING: 01 Sonic Rebellion * 02 Mr Miracle * 03 Dying Every Day * 04 The Immortal * 05 Warball * 06 Crossthreaded * 07 Wheels Of Madness * 08 Windows Of Memory * 09 A Ghost Within * 10 Oceans Of Rage
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Believe it or not, this is our first ever review of this terrific San Francisco HM band. With a career spanning twenty odd years it seems a crime not to have featured them previously. Indeed, their 1990 self-titled album should be a contender as I had rated that album quite highly during that year, so perhaps there might be two reviews shortly?
Just about all the key members of Vicious Rumors have returned after stints away, Thorpe excluded as he has been the mainstay. Howe and Starr have been playing with Chastain, the versatile James Rivera, he of Seven Witches and Helstar fame, comes in as the new voice.
Also getting in on the act in 2006 are guest spots for guitar-slingers Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) who has since joined the band permanently and Thaen Rasmussen (Anvil Chorus).
Having read some other reviews of Vicious Rumors’ ‘Warball’, it is surprising to see that many equate this release to their 1990 and 1992 ‘Welcome To The Ball’ albums, both deemed to be superb. I guess they are referring to the production qualities, which is pretty good on ‘Warball’, but suggests it wasn’t the case on their recent prior efforts (most of which I haven’t heard).
Because of all the talent on display, it does not mean that ‘Warball’ sounds one-dimensional. VR has always been about a twin-guitar attack, but the unusual pairing of Thorpe and Gillis is (or should be) a metal fan’s wet dream. Added to that Rivera’s commanding voice and the rock-solid back-end of Howe and Starr, VR have never sounded better.
The Songs
I can imagine track one ‘Sonic Rebellion’ being the gig-opener at VR concerts. It just exudes ‘in-your-face’ metal from the first few seconds. The familiar guitar gallop returns on ‘Mr. Miracle’, embellished by gruff vocal chants and a top-heavy rhythm section.
‘Dying Every Day’ is an intense workout, the guitars leaden, the chorus simple but powerful, to the point of menacing. ‘The Immortal’ is a pure belter, like a much more convincing version of Malice.
‘Crossthreaded’ sees Thorpe handle the lead vocal, the track a reminder of where VR were back in during their glory days of the early 90’s. European metal is reinterpreted VR style with ‘Wheels Of Madness’, and though I was tempted to compare this to Saxon on rocket fuel (purely because of the song-title.), I thought the wiser for it.
‘Windows Of Memory’ reduces the electrics in favour of acoustics mainly, Rivera’s voice opts for a soulful approach this time around. Plenty of spooky guitar effects precede ‘A Ghost Within’, another typical VR metal gallop.
Just to ensure we finish up with a aural nightmare in our heads, ‘Oceans Of Rage’ is riff-mania. Rivera does his best Gollum (‘Lord Of The Rings’) impersonation on the chorus.
In Summary
Vicious Rumors shot over to Europe for a few pre-shows, and then went out on the road in support of the album, both locally in the USA and back over again to Europe.The reviews thus far read very well for the band, but the proof in the pudding is how the band will fare in the live environment – I shouldn’t think that would be a problem.do you?
Pop on over and have a gander at some of their promo shots on the Vicious Rumors website. The boys look like they had fun with the photographers, looking part gonzo and part goofy at the same time this is a metal band we’re talking about here, what more do you expect. Good to see them back to their potential.
Vicious Rumors on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
