Vicious Rumors - Razorback Killers

Heavy Metal
SPV/Steamhammer

2011

1. Murderball
2. Black
3. Razorback Blade
4. Blood Stained Sunday
5. Pearl Of Wisdom
6. All I Want Is You
7. Axe To Grind
8. Let The Garden Burn
9. Rite Of Devastation
10. Deal With The Devil

Vicious Rumors are a band who I've always thought were ok, but not really much more. This is the sort of album I review when I just sort of feel like reviewing something. Hey you never know right? Sometimes things surprise you.

Well, not always. Don't get me wrong though. This is not a bad album. I just can't help thinking it isn't a particularly impressive one either. None of these songs just have that certain something that make them jump out at me and put this album at the next level. Overall, I could throw Razorback Killers on as a background album or hear them live as an opener to a better act and be ok with this material.

What we have here is something that reminds me of a modernized Judas Priest in much the same way Jugulator was. It's got a heavy sound, some snarled vocals with the occasional multi-layered gruff stuff, and some screams. All in all things sound pretty aggressive, but the songs also blend together a bit. In a way I want to like this album because the guy can scream, there's some pretty decent soloing, etc but this album is kind of unimaginative.

In the end, this is not exactly my cup of tea, but I don't think it sucks either. If you're really into this sort of amped up Judas Priest sound like their heavier attempts, Cage, Marshall Law, etc this might be up your alley. I don't think this is the best this style has been done though. The songwriting simply isn't there in this reviewer's opinion.

Highlights: Blood Stained Sunday, Razorback Blade

Rating - 3.0/5

Vicious Rumors - Warball

Power/Traditional Metal
Mascot Records

2006

1. Sonic Rebellion
2. Mr. Miracle
3. Dying Every Day
4. The Immortal
5. Warball
6. Crossthreaded
7. Wheels Of Madness
8. Windows Of Memory
9. A Ghost Within
10. Oceans Of Rage

Another day, another James Rivera fronted band. Vicious Rumors pick up the famed band whore for this release. I've always been a fan of Rivera and moderately interested in Vicious Rumors so I was looking forward to checking this one out.

Well my basic reaction to this album has to be... eh. Nothing really strikes me as bad on the album, but nothing grabs me as particularly memorable either. Basically this album sounds like other Vicious Rumors but certainly has a Rivera influence brought in. Things sound a bit less groove oriented and thick and the album has more of an uptempo delivery that's all too common with Rivera bands. There are definitely reminders of his Seven Witches material here and most of the songs are fairly direct and about 3 - 5 minutes in length. This album seems to be at it's best when the songs are ripping and James is wailing but even those tracks are missing a certain something. I guess what strikes me the most about these songs is the lack of any memorable choruses or real hook riffs. Basically I think this band has a decent sound, but the songwriting doesn't seem to be there. Maybe after like 9 albums the song well is running a little dry here.

The word of the review here has to be unremarkable. If you're a Vicious Rumors or James Rivera fan this may be worth checking out, but other than that... this style has been done better.

Highlights: Sonic Rebellion, The Immortal

Rating - 2.5/5