The eponymously titled
Vicious Rumors isn't their first album, but it definitely is one of the finest moments in their lengthy career. At times sounding like hybrid of
Bruce Dickinson and Geoff Tate on vocals with
Judas Priest as a backing band,
Vicious Rumors do one thing and they do it well: rock hard. There is very little here that rings innovative or distinctive from the rest of the heavy metal pack, but
Vicious Rumors do their thing without venturing into pop-metal fluff territory or prog rock workouts galore. Die-hard fans will celebrate the recent reissue of this disc by Wounded Bird in 2005, and those who missed the boat the first time will be well-served in taking this for a spin. ~ Rob Theakston