Review VICIOUS RUMORS “The Devil’s Asylum”

“The Devil’s Asylum” is Vicious Rumors‘ 14th studio album and a metal masterpiece. Five years after launching “Celebration Decay” Geoff Thorpe and band have returned with their latest effort – an album featuring eleven new songs. Compared with its predecessor, there are some new elements that make “The Devil’s Asylum” a great album.

Alongside Thorpe, Larry Howe continues to provide the heartbeat of the band and its songs. These two guys are the constant factor, and Robin Utbukt has also been in the band since a few years. The new addition is the frontman. Vicious Rumors now have an excellent new singer in the form of Brian ‘Chalice’ Betterton, a position that has always been crucial given that it was Carl Albert (RIP) who defined the early sound of Vicious Rumors alongside Thorpe’s guitar playing. Chalice’s voice is very similar to Albert’s, which gives the new album an old-school feel. What helps, in addition, are blistering metal songs like the uptempo “In Blood We Trust”, also benefiting from the second guitarist Denver Cooper. This song is reminiscent of the early days of Vicious Rumors, but without sounding old-fashioned or outdated. “High Hell Hammer” goes in the same direction, with the metal compass clearly guiding towards traditional power metal with impact.

The high-speed “Bloodbath” is the opener and is one of three singles launched prior to the album. Raging speed, furious screams and excellent solos indicate a stellar album, and expectations are fulfilled by “The Devil’s Asylum”.

There are parts of ‘Bloodbath’ that remind me of Megadeth, and ‘Abusement Park’ takes it to the next level. The vocals at the beginning of the song particularly remind me of Megadeth in the ‘Peace Sells, But Who’s Buying’ era, before the chorus confirms that we are still listening to Vicious Rumors. ‘Abusement Park’ also showcases the vocal range of Chalice which adds to the album’s versatility.

“Better Than Me” is a pounding Vicious Rumours anthem, followed by the title track, which marks the end of the record. It is a wild and furious song that the band have placed at the end of this release, and it is the stellar final chapter of “The Devil’s Asylum”.

Vicious Rumors have added another great metal record to their long list of achievements. With a nod to their early days and a modern twist, Vicious Rumors present heavy metal with vigour. A thumbs up to Geoff Thorpe and his metal squad — this is heavy metal the way we like it!