Vicious Rumors

Vicious Rumors are a US heavy metal band from Santa Rosa, California, active since 1979. They are usually identified with power metal and US power metal, and their early work also overlaps with speed metal and thrash metal. The band is formed in the San Francisco Bay Area by guitarist and vocalist Geoff Thorpe, and it begins performing live in the early 1980s.

Early releases and classic line-up

The band releases its first full-length album, Soldiers of the Night, in 1985. It helps establish the group in the power metal scene. Early line-ups include guitarist Vinnie Moore, who is recommended by Shrapnel Records founder Mike Varney. In 1986, vocalist Carl Albert and guitarist Mark McGee join, forming what is widely regarded as the classic line-up. Their second album, Digital Dictator, is issued on Shrapnel Records and becomes an important release for the band, helping define their sound and building an audience in the US, Europe and Japan.

Atlantic Records period

Vicious Rumors sign to Atlantic Records in 1989 and release a self-titled album in 1990, followed by Welcome to the Ball in 1991. That album receives nominations at the Bay Area Music Awards. Their videos also appear on MTV's Headbangers Ball. After a live album and a period of touring, Geoff Thorpe has surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, and the band leaves Atlantic Records and parts ways with bassist Dave Starr.

Line-up changes and later albums

Tommy Sisco joins on bass and the band releases Word of Mouth in 1994, which includes a tribute to Criss Oliva of Savatage. The album is well received, and the band tours Europe and plays festivals alongside acts such as Accept. In 1995, Carl Albert dies in a car accident. Mark McGee then leaves and Steve Smyth replaces him. Thorpe handles vocals on Something Burning in 1996. Later releases include Cyberchrist in 1998, with Brian O'Connor on vocals, and Sadistic Symphony in 2001, with Morgan Thorn on vocals. These records show a move towards a more groove-oriented sound.

Reunions, DVDs and continuing activity

Between 2002 and 2003, Thorpe contributes recordings to 7th Order's The Lake of Memory, which receives radio airplay. From 2004, the band holds reunions and releases the Crushing the World DVD in 2005, which includes unreleased tracks. Warball follows in 2006 on Mascot Records and includes contributions from members of Night Ranger, Helstar and others; it is seen as a return to the band's earlier traditional sound.

The band continues touring in Europe and the US through the late 2000s. Razorback Killers is released in 2011 on SPV Records, with guest musicians and recording debuts from new members. A live album, Live You to Death, appears in 2012. Electric Punishment follows in 2013, with further line-up changes including European members, and Live You to Death 2: American Punishment is issued in 2014. The band then works on its twelfth studio album, Concussion Protocol, released in 2016. In 2017 and 2018, more personnel changes follow, including the return of vocalist Brian Allen and the addition of new members, and the band marks the 30th anniversary of Digital Dictator with a world tour.

Celebration Decay is released in 2020, featuring new members and guest musicians. In 2022, former Metal Church vocalist Ronny Munroe joins, then leaves in 2023 for medical reasons, with Brian Allen returning. Drummer Larry Howe later departs in 2024 but returns. After that, Brian Allen and guitarist Gunnar DuGrey leave, Denver Cooper joins on guitar, and Brian “Chalice” Betterton is announced as vocalist. The band’s latest studio album, The Devil’s Asylum, is scheduled for release in 2025.