Another album and another new vocalist from Vicious Rumors. Sounds familiar? Well, for better or worse, almost every new album since the tragic loss of Carl Albert thirty years ago, has been recorded with a different front-man. The good news this time is that despite a brief absence, Geoff Thorpe’s long-time partner behind the drums Larry Howe beats the hell out of the skins once again. Bassist Robin Utbult appears in a studio release for the first time, even though he has been in the line-up since 2020 and the two newest members are Denver Cooper (Midnight Spell) and the new guy behind the mic Chalice (Enchanter, Image Beyond).
The style of Vicious Rumors has remained solid and reliable through the years with very, very few flops and I can assure you album number 14 The Devil’s Asylum does not disappoint either. Thorpe once again produced the album along with co-producers Juan Urteaga (Machine Head, Testament, etc.) and Jimmy Evans, who also co-wrote three songs. Bloodbath and Dogs Of War burst with energy and the trademark heavy riffs the band is know for, a US power meal style often bordering on speed metal. As always, Thorpe knows what he’s looking for in his band, and the choice of Chalice was a masterstroke, because he sings his socks off in every single song. A fantastic performance from this guy.
Crack The Sky In Half and Wrong Side Of Love are more mid-tempo, and more melodic power hymns, while songs like High Hell Hammer and In Blood We Trust thrash hard, fast and kick the listener in the teeth with amazing, stellar musicianship. Boring Day In Hell and Better Than Me sound just a little bit inferior and more formulaic than the rest of the excellent music in this album, but the title track rages frantically, closing the album in style. This is absolute, pure Vicious Rumors, which we fell in love with so many years ago.
The ambition and inspiration that drives Geoff Thorpe after 45 years are not only admirable, but striking. This man is a riff-machine with the energy of a small power plant and Vicious Rumors are once again showing us how it’s done, the old school way. Well done!
8,5/10
The Devil’s Asylum will be out on August 29th and can be ordered from HERE
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