VICIOUS RUMORS — Soldiers Of The Night (review)

VICIOUS RUMORS — Soldiers Of The Night album cover Album · 1985 · US Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Soldiers Of The Night" is the debut full-length studio album by US, California based power/heavy metal act Vicious Rumors. The album was released through Shrapnel Records in May 1985. Vicious Rumors was formed in 1979 and released a demo cassette tape in 1982 and a second one in 1983 before being signed to Shrapnel Records for the release of "Soldiers Of The Night". Compared to the demo lineups only lead vocalist Gary St. Pierre and guitarist Geoff Thorpe remain. New in the lineup are guitarist Vinnie Moore, bassist Dave Starr, and drummer Larry Howe. The only track from the demos which has been re-recorded for "Soldiers Of The Night" is "In Fire" (which was actually featured on both demos). The rest of the tracks on the 11 track, 38:50 minutes long album are new original material.

The material on "Soldiers Of The Night" is in a traditional heavy metal style, which is fairly standard for the time and the genre. The quality of the material is relatively high and the tracks are generally catchy and powerful heavy metal. Vicious Rumors can arguably write an effective metal tune. The musicianship is also strong and especially the guitarists play some really well played guitar solos. Lead vocalist Gary St. Pierre has a strong voice and a convincing delivery too, so all in all the performances are a great asset to the album. The inclusion of a guitar solo instrumental in "Invader" may be a bit "old school", but on a release like this it works pretty well. The remaining tracks (save for the opening intro track "Premonition") are all relatively standard vers/chorus structured material with vocals.

The sound production is not the strongest production from that time, but "Soldiers Of The Night" is not a bad sounding release either. It just could have been better sounding. Overall "Soldiers Of The Night" is a good quality heavy metal release, which may not be the most original sounding release from those days, but which is still a solid and well played album. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is deserved.
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siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I just remember they were pretty generic. I'd have to check them out again. They are a local Bay Area band here.
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Honestly I´m not a huge fan, but their next album and "Welcome to the Ball" are worth a listen.
siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I haven't heard this band in ages. I saw them live one time and it was so friggin loud i thought the building was going to collapse!

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