US power metal/thrash veterans Vicious Rumors really put together a doozy on their previous album Razorback Killers a few years back, and here there are yet again with another guitarlicious assault, this one titled Electric Punishment. Founding member & lead guitarist Geoff Thorpe is joined by longstanding drummer Larry Howe, bassist Stephen Goodwin, guitarist Thaen Rasumussen, and powerhouse singer Brian Allen. Together these guys have whipped together a CD jam packed with all that we love about heavy metal.
Vicious Rumors never really dove all out into power metal, and they are not a traditional thrash band like, say, Exodus, Overkill, or Testament, but they certainly straddle the line between both sub-genres kind of like Nevermore. Tracks like "I Am the Gun" and "Black X List" certainly have plenty of speedy riffs, wild lead solos, and jackhammer double bass drums, which is just what you need to get your 'thrash on', but then they also can dig into some grueling, grinding traditional metal ala the crushing title track. Allen proves he's up to the task no matter what avenue his bandmates take, screaming up a storm on the raging "D-Block" (check out the crazy lead guitar work on this one!), or soaring to the heavens on the textured & quite melodic "Escape (From Hell)". There's even a sing-along anthem here in the form of "Together We Unite", plus a very cool cover of the KISS classic "Strange Ways".
Pure heavy metal through and through, Electric Punishment is another fine release from Vicious Rumors, a band that definitely deserves more exposure than they've gotten over the years. Recommended.
Track Listing
1. I Am The Gun
2. Black X List
3. Electric Punishment
4. D-Block
5. Escape (From Hell)
6. Dime Store Prophet
7. Together We Unite
8. Eternally
9. Thirst for a Kill
10. Strange Ways (KISS cover)
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