Vicious Rumors

Vicious Rumors is a cornerstone of the US Power Metal (USPM) scene, originating from the San Francisco Bay Area in 1979. Founded by guitarist Geoff Thorpe, the band became a vital bridge between the burgeoning thrash metal movement and the more melodic traditional metal of the era.

Their early association with Mike Varney and Shrapnel Records brought a high level of technical proficiency to their sound, notably featuring a young Vinnie Moore on their debut. The band reached their commercial and critical peak with the 'classic' lineup of Thorpe, Mark McGee, Carl Albert, Dave Starr, and Larry Howe, releasing seminal albums like Digital Dictator and their self-titled Atlantic debut. Following the tragic death of vocalist Carl Albert in 1995, the band experimented with groove metal and industrial elements before returning to their traditional power metal roots in the 2000s. They are highly respected for their 'twin-guitar' attack and have served as a training ground for numerous metal virtuosos. Critically, they are viewed as one of the few bands that successfully navigated the transition from underground speed metal to major label visibility without losing their sonic integrity.