Seems to me that someone dropped a big clanger. Y'see, Vicious Rumors debut British gig was scheduled the same night as the Testament gig at the Astoria, and you could virtually count the paying punters on two hands. Still, I was there and they played a blinder.

Vicious Rumors are a damn good band. Power Metal in the extreme, they combine blazing dual guitar with neat twirly melodies and sonic bludgeon from the rhythm team. A bit like Savatage, Pantera, and Queensryche (a succinct choice that one!), Vicious Rumors slaughter their songs with savage amusement and ferocious objectives.

A five man group with two albums to their credit (both out on Roadrunner), the band has built up a strong cult following amongst Konnoisseurs rock circles occupied by yours truly. Part of the reason for this interest stems not only from their ability to write halfway decent songs but from the frightening fact that they are something of a haven for venomous guitar heroes. Vinnie Moore was a founder member replaced by newcomer Mark McGee who, whilst not so articulate as Moore, comes across sufficiently speedy and undeniably heavy.

Together with lynch pin Geoff Thorpe, the owner of a fine Flying V, the two axe men mount blistering guitar duels and impressive flights of solo fantasy. It is here where Vicious Rumors truly make their mark: guitars grizzled and gnawed, unending bludgeon with pouting vocals from Carl Albert that go up, up and away, never to return.

So despite the paltry turnout, most of us at the gig eventually ended up slapping each other on the back and sharing rounds well into the night. Of course we toasted to your absense!

Derek Oliver

Note: There is a bootleg video of this show out there floating around. I had it filmed with my video camera, and since I had nobody to do the filming I duct taped the camera to the sound/mixing board! Right before we went on, I ran out to the camera and turned it on and then proceeded to run back to the stage just before we started our set! Crazy make-shift stuff like this was always the norm for us. For a little more info on this show, see the History section Digital Dictator - Era part 4.

Dave Starr 2/29/2000