Vicious Rumors

Biography

Vicious Rumors are an American power metal band, originally formed in 1979 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was conceived by founder and guitarist/vocalist Geoff Thorpe, and has been actively recording and touring worldwide since their full-length recording debut in 1985. They are signed to the Germany-based label SPV/Steamhammer.

Foundation and full-length debut Soldiers of the Night (1979–1986)

Guitarist and composer Thorpe began his musical career as a teenager in Honolulu, Hawaii. He had set out to start forming the band in the San Francisco Bay Area during the summer of 1979. Other Bay Area-based bands like Exodus, Anvil Chorus, Metallica, and Death Angel were also starting out during that era. These bands were playing the same local venues and establishing the Bay Area thrash metal scene—which in a few years would become very popular worldwide.
While working towards a stable lineup, early incarnations of Vicious Rumors played live extensively within California's Bay Area between 1980 and 1985. Their first studio recordings appeared on compilations such as KMEL's New Oasis and U.S. Metal vol. III and IV in 1982, 1983 and 1984. These recordings helped the band obtain their first record deal with the legendary Shrapnel Records.
The band's first full-length album Soldiers of the Night×Soldiers of the Night1985 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Premonition1:032Ride (Into the Sun)3:443Medusa3:574Soldiers of the Night4:235Murder4:026March or Die4:417Blitz the World3:378Invader2:529In Fire3:2210Domestic Bliss3:4211Blistering Winds3:28 was released in 1985, it featured Geoff Thorpe, Gary St. Pierre, Vinnie Moore, Dave Starr, and Larry Howe. It quickly began to establish VR's worldwide reputation. This release is classed as a milestone and a classic in power metal. The lineup at that time included a young guitarist named Vinnie Moore. (Vinnie originally lived in Delaware, but was recommended to the band by Shrapnel Records founder Mike Varney).

The classic Vicious Rumors: from Digital Dictator to Word of Mouth (1987–1994)

Late 1986 saw bassist Dave Starr bring in vocalist Carl Albert (Villain, Ruffians) and guitarist Mark McGee (Overdrive, Starcastle, and later with Gregg Allman) to replace St. Pierre and Moore respectively—prior to the recording of the band's second album, Digital Dictator×Digital Dictator1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Replicant1:04A2Digital Dictator3:17A3Minute to Kill3:34A4Towns on Fire4:23A5Lady Took a Chance6:11B1Worlds and Machines5:30B2The Crest2:56B3R.L.H.4:00B4Condemned3:53B5Out of the Shadows4:10. This release with Shrapnel Records helped define Vicious Rumors' classic US power metal sound. Digital Dictator was the year's No. 1 album in one of Europe's top metal magazines, RockHard. The album sold well in Japan, the US, and the rest of Europe. Vicious Rumors became an international live act at this point: they were invited to appear at the Dutch Aardschok Festival (alongside Megadeth, Testament, and Nuclear Assault), the Dynamo Open Air Festival (where they played in front of 40,000 people), and at live festivals with Death Angel and Forbidden.
An increase in popularity began to generate interest in the band from major record labels, and in 1989 they signed a deal with the legendary major label Atlantic Records(Led Zeppelin, AC/DC,...). Their first Atlantic release was the self-titled Vicious Rumors in 1990. The band subsequently began their first full US tour—which lasted for over three months and shot their first official video, "Don't Wait for Me", directed by Gore Verbinski. This tour was quickly placed in rotation on MTV's Headbangers Ball.
1991 saw the release of Vicious Rumors' fourth album, Welcome to the Ball×Welcome to the Ball23 July 1991 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Abandoned4:152You Only Live Twice3:383Savior From Anger4:084Children4:565Dust to Dust4:206Raise Your Hands4:027Strange Behaviour4:078Six Stepsisters3:319Mastermind3:5510When Love Comes Down4:5911Ends of the Earth3:13. This recording received Bay Area Music Awards nominations for "Best New Metal Album" and "Outstanding Metal Album" (other nominees included Metallica and Tesla). Their second MTV video, "Children", went beyond the exposure normally limited to metal bands on Headbangers Ball. It received regular daytime air play. The band finished the year with a one-month European tour—with Savatage—and four months worth of live US performance dates.
After a 1992 tour with label-mates Savatage and the release of the live album Plug In and Hang On: Live in Tokyo×Plug In and Hang On: Live in Tokyo25 May 1992 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Abandoned4:362Savior From Anger4:193Down to the Temple5:194Ship of Fools4:255Lady Took a Chance11:046When Love Comes Down6:457March or Die6:238Don't Wait for Me5:07, guitarist Thorpe was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. He was forced to undergo surgery. During the year-long hiatus for Vicious Rumors, the band parted company with both Atlantic Records and bassist Dave Starr.
After Thorpe recovered, new bass player Tommy Sisco (ex-Villain with Carl Albert) was recruited. The band's sixth album, 1994's Word of Mouth×Word of Mouth1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Against the Grain4:222All Rights Reserved4:413The Voice4:134Thinking of You4:565Thunder and Pain, Part 13:156Thunder and Pain, Part 23:077No Fate4:258Sense of Security4:309Dreaming4:1410Building #64:0111Ministry of Fear4:2212Music Box1:55, was recorded and released on the Rising Sun label. The CD included the song "Thunder and Rain" (parts 1 and 2), which was dedicated to the memory of Criss Oliva of Savatage.
Sales of "Word of Mouth" were strong, the reception was positive, and the band resumed touring to support the release. Vicious Rumors were now becoming increasingly popular in Europe; they were invited back to the Dynamo Open Air Festival in the Netherlands. They also joined forces with Accept for several summer festival dates. The band returned to Europe later that year for more live shows, this time with Metal Church, Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction, and Paul Di'Anno's Killers.

Death of Carl Albert and subsequent releases (1995–2003)

After returning from the European Ultimate-Power-Force-Tour with Metal Church and Paul Di'Anno's Killers, singer Carl Albert was killed in a California Bay Area car accident on April 22, 1995. Around the same time, Mark McGee left the band. Steve Smyth (future member of Nevermore, Testament and Forbidden) was recruited as his replacement.
Upon Albert's death, the band released A Tribute to Carl Albert (culled from non-soundboard recordings taken from the Word of Mouth European tour), and their first home video The First Ten Years. Additionally Mark McGee composed and recorded the song "Find Your Way Home" for one of his solo projects (currently unpublished) and dedicated it to the memory of Albert.
The band decided not to replace Albert at that time, and Thorpe assumed the role of vocalist for the band's next album: Something Burning×Something Burning26 June 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Ballhog3:382Mouth3:113Out of My Misery4:004Something Burning3:415Concentration4:076Chopping Block4:107Perpetual3:548Strip Search3:359Make It Real4:4610Free to Go4:59. This album was released in 1996 on the Massacre Records label. The song "Perpetual", included on the album, was the last track written with Albert. The resulting reviews of the new release were favorable, and VR subsequently undertook a European tour with Accept to support it. Cyberchrist, their next studio album, was recorded and released in 1998 with newcomer Brian O'Connor on vocals. The band was invited by Blind Guardian to join them for 30 tour dates on their highly successful "Nightfall in Middle-Earth" European tour. The band then took some time off from touring and recording primarily to recruit new personnel. They recruited a new bass player, Cornbread, who replaced Tommy Sisco, and Ira Black (ex Heathen—later with Lizzy Borden) filled the spot left by departing guitarist Smyth. Session players Atma Anur, Dan Lawson and Will Carroll (later with Death Angel) briefly sat in for drummer Larry Howe—who at the time wanted to take some time off from touring and recording. The new lineup recorded and released Sadistic Symphony with vocalist Morgan Thorn in 2001, but O'Connor re-joined the band for live dates in the US and Europe in support of the new album. These three albums had a more groove-oriented sound.
There were no new releases by Vicious Rumors in 2002 or 2003. During this period, band leader Thorpe was asked by longtime friend Daniel Jones of rock & roll band 7th Order to take part in recording sessions, alongside veteran British guitarist Martin Pugh (of Steamhammer, the first Rod Stewart solo album and Armageddon) and drummer Tim Kelliher (of Randy Hansen's Machine Gun), for their The Lake of Memory album (released on the Big Island Sounds label in 2007). Several tracks prominently featured Thorpe, and the album enjoyed a great deal of worldwide radio airplay.

Return to a traditional sound (2004–2012)

From 2004, in order to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the band's "Word of Mouth×Word of Mouth1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Against the Grain4:222All Rights Reserved4:413The Voice4:134Thinking of You4:565Thunder and Pain, Part 13:156Thunder and Pain, Part 23:077No Fate4:258Sense of Security4:309Dreaming4:1410Building #64:0111Ministry of Fear4:2212Music Box1:55" release, there were some reunions (Thorpe, Howe, Sisco, plus McGee and Ira Black alternating on guitar and O'Connor on vocals). 2005 saw the release of the band's Crushing the World DVD, which featured both current and historical Vicious Rumors lineups, and included several previously unreleased tracks: "Poveglia", "Broken Wings", "Fight", and "Immortal×Immortal2004 · EP · DemoSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Fight5:092Broken Wings6:193Poveglia4:124Go for the Hook3:32".
The album Warball×Warball13 October 2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Sonic Rebellion2:552Mr. Miracle4:523Dying Every Day4:454Immortal3:555Warball6:226Crossthreaded4:467Wheels of Madness3:468Windows of Memory3:049A Ghost Within4:5610Oceans of Rage3:39 (co-produced by Juan Urteaga) was recorded and released on the Mascot Records label in early 2006. Members Cornbread and O'Connor left the band prior to its recording, but original members Dave Starr (bass) and Larry Howe (drums) returned. Vocalist James Rivera (Helstar) and guitarists Brad Gillis (Night Ranger, Ozzy Osbourne) and Thaen Rasmussen (Heathen, Anvil Chorus) contributed to the recordings of the new album. Worldwide sales were excellent and reviewers universally saw the Warball album as a genuine "return to form" of a more traditional Vicious Rumors sound after the more experimental releases of the post-Carl Albert incarnations of the band. 2007 Stephen Goodwin stepped in to serve as bassist, and the band played several dates in Europe, including shows with Agent Steel, HammerFall, Girlschool, Nazareth, and Heaven & Hell.
Upon the band's return to the US, Ronnie Stixx (Divine Ruins, Blood Redskies, Shadowkeep) took over as an interim replacement for the a departing Rivera. Rasmussen was replaced by Kiyoshi Morgan as second guitarist. Stixx was eventually replaced by Brian Allen (Last Empire, Wild Dogs).
In 2009, Thorpe and Howe (alongside Allen, Goodwin and Morgan) acknowledged the 30th Anniversary of the inception of Vicious Rumors, by performing songs from their debut album, Soldiers of the Night×Soldiers of the Night1985 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Premonition1:032Ride (Into the Sun)3:443Medusa3:574Soldiers of the Night4:235Murder4:026March or Die4:417Blitz the World3:378Invader2:529In Fire3:2210Domestic Bliss3:4211Blistering Winds3:28, with former singer Gary St. Pierre. at the Headbangers Open Air Festival.
In 2011, Mark McGee, Tommy Sisco and Kevin Albert (the son of late vocalist Carl Albert) sat in with the band for their performance at the Keep It True Festival, also in Germany.
The band signed to SPV Records, and their tenth album Razorback Killers×Razorback Killers28 March 2011 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Murderball4:082Black5:573Razorback Blade4:134Blood Stained Sunday5:515Pearl of Wisdom6:316All I Want Is You4:287Axe to Grind3:378Let the Garden Burn5:069Rite of Devastation4:2210Deal with the Devil7:04 was released on March 28, 2011. Several guests joined them for the sessions: Mark McGee, Brad Gillis, and Testament guitarist Eric Peterson. The album also marked the recording debuts of Goodwin, Morgan and Allen. The band then departed for an extensive European summer tour, headlining 60 shows and supporting HammerFall on 30 shows. In early 2012, the band took part in the first heavy metal sea cruise, 70000 Tons of Metal.
In late 2012, after a series of summer festival performances in Europe with new entry Bob Capka on second guitar, the band released a live album, recorded on tour with HammerFall in 2011 – engineered by Pontus Norgren (HammerFall guitarist and FOH engineer for King Diamond, Candlemass) – titled Live You to Death in November 2012.

Rotating more members and recent events (2013–present)

A new studio album, Electric Punishment×Electric Punishment24 April 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1I Am the Gun6:032Black X List4:263Electric Punishment6:094D-Block3:455Escape (From Hell)6:566Dime Store Prophet4:267Together We Unite3:358Eternally4:469Thirst for a Kill4:4310Strange Ways (KISS Cover)3:2411Murderball (live)4:1812Let the Garden Burn (live)5:37, was recorded and released on the SPV label in 2013. For their subsequent European tour, James Rivera returned temporarily to replace vocalist Allen. The Slovenian instrumentalist Tilen Hudrap took over for the departing Stephen Goodwin on bass and became the first European member of Vicious Rumors. Thaen Rasmussen and Bob Capka will alternate in those years the second guitar role. The band had played more than 70 shows in 2013, including several metal festivals (Alcatraz festival, Metaldays, Stonehenge festival, Bang Your Head festival, Headbanger's Open Air, Turock Summerfest), and a pre-show performance for the Bang Your Head!!! event in Germany, which again featured a special guest appearance by Kevin Albert. For the band's American tour, Dutch singer Nick Holleman took over as vocalist.
The band continued touring into 2014: again playing the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise (playing their Digital Dictator album in its entirety for the first time); as well as several big European summer festivals (headlining in Belgium, Croatia, Holland, Slovenia, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic) and numerous live club dates. A live album titled "Live You to Death 2: American Punishment was released in June 2014, the first official release by the new VR lineup with European members Hudrap and Holleman. According to the band's web site, their first live dates in South America took place in December 2014. The band played in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Negrinho, Buenos Aires, and Curitiba. The band embarked in new American and European Tours. In Germany, at Keep It True Festival, Vicious Rumors are once again joined onstage by Keven Albert. Pre-production for the 12th studio album, Concussion Protocol×Concussion Protocol24 August 2016 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Concussion Protocol4:562Chemical Slave5:513Victims of a Digital World4:134Chasing the Priest4:135Last of Our Kind3:5761000 Years3:397Circle of Secrets5:058Take It or Leave It3:249Bastards4:4110Every Blessing’s a Curse4:1411Life for a Life10:1212Death Bed Razor3:55, began in late 2014. It was released August 2016 on SPV/Steamhammer, followed by the singles "Chasing the Priest" and "Take It or Leave It", and a full-scale tour of Europe in November.
In May 2017 the band announced a new line up with the return of vocalist Brian Allen and guitarist Gunnar DüGrey replacing Holleman and Rasmussen respectively. This lineup of Vicious Rumors performed several live dates in Europe, as well as the US (California) in the summer of 2017.
In 2018 and 2019, the band celebrated the 30th anniversary of Digital Dictator with a world tour and a new line up. Nick Courtney was announced as replacement for the again departing Brian Allen on vocals, and Cody Green stepped in on bass for Tilen Hudrap. The touring is intense in US and Europe. In spring 2019, again at Keep It True Festival, Vicious Rumors held a special set with guest Kevin Albert on vocals. In 2020, a new album, Celebration Decay×Celebration Decay19 August 2020 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Celebration Decay4:292Pulse of the Dead4:063Arrival of Desolation5:404Any Last Words3:325Asylum of Blood4:096Darkness Divine4:477Long Way Home3:468Cold Blooded4:219Death Eternal3:4210Collision Course Disaster3:2911Masquerade of Good Intentions4:46, was released which saw the studio debut of both DuGrey and Courtney. Guests on the record are Greg Christian on bass and Cody Green on guitars, while the band's new live bassist was the Swedish Robin Utbult.
In July 2022, the band announced that former Metal Church vocalist Ronny Munroe had joined the band. On July 24, 2023, Munroe announced his departure for medical reasons. He would be replaced with Brian Allen once again. The band tours once again worldwide, including the long awaited return to Japan. Longest standing member beside Geoff Thorpe, drummer Larry Howe, suddenly announces his departure from the band in May, 2024. For the following gigs is replaced by Gunnar Coston from the band Wicked. One month later also singer Brian Allen and guitarist Gunnar DuGrey step out from Vicious Rumors. Larry Howe anyway returns behind the drumkit very soon, while a new guitarist is found in Denver Cooper. Brian "Chalice" Betterton is announced as new vocalist.
Vicious Rumors' first studio album in five years, The Devil's Asylum×The Devil's Asylum29 August 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Bloodbath3:572Dogs of War3:563Crack the Sky in Half4:404High Hell Hammer3:565Butchers Block4:166Abusement Park4:097Wrong Side of Love4:028Boring Day in Hell5:329In Blood We Trust3:0610Better than Me3:3911The Devil's Asylum4:25, was released on August 29, 2025. On April 20, 2025, Howe exited the band.

Band members

Current

Geoff Thorpe – guitars, backing and additional lead vocals (1979–present)
Robin Utbult – bass (2020–present)
Denver Cooper – guitars (2024–present)
Brian "Chalice" Betterton – lead vocals (2024–present)