VICIOUS RUMORS. I still remember buying their debut album “Soldiers Of The Night” in 1985, just because they had a very good guitar player on there. It was Vinnie Moore, and yes, he does shred on the album. Then, when you properly start to listen to the songs on the album, you realise that it actually houses over 40 minutes of bloody good US Metal. Three years later, in 1988, VICIUOS RUMORS silenced all critics and wowed all the US Metal fans of that era by releasing their benchmark album “Digital Dictator”. Since then, the band has known it’s ups and downs, have released mediocre, good and outstanding albums, but just always kept going under the watchful eye of band leader Geoff Thorpe. He just refuses to capitulate, and is backed in that respect by original drummer Larry Howe and bassist Robin Utbult, who has been around since 2020. Now, in 2025, he has two new recruits in guitarist Denver Cooper and singer Chalice. With them the band has recorded “The Devil's Asylum”, which is to be released on 29 August 2025. And it becomes quite clear they are a very welcome addition to the sound of VICIOUS RUMORS.

The sound they have gone for is very strong, rather powerful and straight forward. This is US Metal as it should be played; with conviction and dedication. The guitars really enhance each other’s power whilst still being distinguishable individually. As for singer Chalice, he can reach heights that are almost unnatural for a bloke, but as I have witnessed when I saw the band play Effenaar Eindhoven live when they played there as a support to OVERKILL, he can emulate those sounds in real life as well. But he can also put on a very strong and commanding voice, and with a lot of overdubs you hear both of those coming by from time to time. Musically nothing has changed within VICIOUS RUMORS, making what you get to hear on “The Devil's Asylum” good, but also rather predictable. That is what is causing me to become apprehensive, as I am missing the excitement I was hoping to get. But hey, if you love this band, and/or your US Metal, you will have no problem in keeping this album close to your chest. Because for those people I feel that “The Devil's Asylum” will have them accepting VICIOUS RUMORS as they are and adoring them even more than they already did.