Vicious Rumors : Razorback Killers
by Erik Tweedy
Staff Writer
The history of Vicious Rumors dates back to 1980, when they began playing Metal Mondays at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco. Since that time, they have released a staggering 12 bone-crushing studio and live albums and are regarded as one of the Bay area’s top thrash power metal bands. It is amazing to see bands like this that keep churning out great releases for more than 30 years with little or no label support.
Razorback Killers marks the first release with new vocalist Brian Allen and the first Vicious Rumors studio release in five years. Since the untimely 1995 death of longtime vocalist Carl Albert, who was “The Voice” of Vicious Rumors, the vocalist position has been a revolving door. This time around, Brian Allen steps up to the microphone and blasts his way through 10 hair-raising tracks that will have every thrash metal fan asking, “Where has this guy been hiding?”
The dual guitar intro to “Murderball” quickly sets the pace for the wild ride that is “Razorback Killers,” which is a power metal feast with blazing guitar solos throughout. Allen’s vocals are a mix of Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and Ralf Scheepers and are a perfect fit for the first track and a great way to kick off this long-awaited return.
For nearly six minutes, “Black” chugs its way through a dark and dirty world. Short on lyrics and long on smoking guitar riffs, “Black” provides a bit of a needed rest for what comes next. “Razorback Blade” is a flat out thrash monster that will nearly snap your neck. It is a true Vicious Rumors classic, with a brutally pounding rhythm section, thanks to longtime drummer Larry Howe and bassist Stephen Goodwin. Allen and original guitarist and founder, Geoff Thorpe, trade off vocals throughout, and the dual guitar work of Thorpe and Kiyoshi Morgan makes for something really special. It’s a totally kick-ass track.
Taking a deep breath, “Blood Stained Sunday” slows things down; as slow as a thrash band can be, anyway. The intro might remind you of any number of Megadeth songs, but this changes quickly as the double bass drumming picks up the pace and the harsh vocals of Thorpe dominate the chorus. This is another six-minute barnburner with plenty of guitar riffs that take Allen’s vocals to new heights.
Some serious full-on speed metal is brought to the front of the line in the form of “Axe to Grind.” Killer double bass drumming, monster guitar licks and some wicked vocals by Thorpe and Allen have you hitting the replay button over and over. This is perfect Thrash Metal.
Several tracks on Razorback Killers start out with a slow-churning intro that eventually rolls into a full-on metal meltdown, laced with brilliantly played guitar solos and a pounding rhythm section. Tracks like “Pearl of Wisdom,” “Burn the Garden Down” and the disc-ending seven-minute opus, “Deal with the Devil” stay true to this formula and provide listeners with enough head-banging moments to feel like they got a full workout at the gym.
Overall, Razorback Killers is a welcomed return to the metal scene from Vicious Rumors. If you like your metal fast, hard and heavy, in the vein of Anthrax, Overkill or Armored Saint, this might be just what you are looking for. The addition of Brian Allen on vocals, mixed with Thorpe’s guttural vocal styling works really well here. Mix that with the balls-out rhythm section and monster guitar licks, and this one goes down as one of the best in the band’s 30-year career.
Band:
Brian Allen: Vocals
Geoff Thorpe: Lead Guitar, Vocals
Kiyoshi Morgan: Rhythm Guitar
Stephen Goodwin, Bass
Larry Howe: Drums
Track Listing:
Murderball
Black
Razorback Blade
Blood Stained Sunday
Pearl Of Wisdom
All I Want Is You
Axe To Grind
Let The Garden Burn
Rite of Devastation
Deal With The Devil
Label: SPV/Steamhammer
Website: http://www.viciousrumors.com/
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.4/10