Is there anything better than an old band making an awesome comeback record?
Razorback Killers is the best CD the band has done since the passing of vocalist Carl Albert back in 1995. While the band has put out several CDs since his passing, they've been unable to recapture the fire they once had when Albert was fronting the band. And while the band has had many incarnations over the years, I think they may have finally found the winning formula again. This has got to be the strongest lineup VR has has since the 90s. And it didn't hurt that founder/guitarist Geoff Thorpe brought in former guitarist Marc McGee for a couple of tasty guest solos - they were a force to be reckoned with in the early 90s. And if that wasn't enough, there are cameos by guitarists Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) and Eric Peterson (Testament).
The CD starts off with the track Murderball, an uptempo rocker that sounds like it could have come off the self-titled record from '91. It has that cool, Don't Wait for Me vibe, which totally set the tone for this new record; powerful and melodic all at the same time, pure VR at their best. The CD has a nice variety of thrashers, slow heavy crushers and mid-tempo rockers. They've really gone back to their roots on this one, which is evident on the track Let the Garden Burn which evokes the vibe of Lady Took a Chance (Digital Dictator).
Vocalist Brian Allen, with his soaring vocals, has been able to take the band back to the glory days. And while great production and solid songwriting have made this one a keeper, I can't go without mentioning the killer axework all over this CD which is just friggin' amazing. My only critique is that there is a small lull with tracks 3 and 4, but after that this CD doesn't let up until the end. All in all, a really solid CD and the best thing the band has done in years.
Bottom Line: Vicious Rumors are back and better than ever. After a few hiccups over the last few years, the band seems to be back on track sounding the way they should. Allen, the best vocalist the band has had since the passing of Albert, along with some strong songwriting has been able to get this band on track, making them a viable metal force once again.
Standout Tracks: Murderball, Black, Pearl of Wisdom and Let the Garden Burn
- Ragman is geeking over these solos...