Vicious Rumors, an American power metal band, was formed in 1979 in the San Francisco Bay Area by guitarist and vocalist Geoff Thorpe. The band's early years saw extensive live performances within California's Bay Area between 1980 and 1985, with their first studio recordings appearing on compilations such as KMEL's New Oasis and U.S. Metal vol. III and IV. Their debut full-length album, Soldiers of the Night, was released in 1985 under Shrapnel Records, establishing Vicious Rumors' worldwide reputation. In 1987, they released Digital Dictator with vocalist Carl Albert and guitarist Mark McGee. The band signed with Atlantic Records in 1989, releasing their self-titled album Vicious Rumors in 1990. Tragically, vocalist Carl Albert died in a car accident in April 1995. After his replacement by Mark McGee, the leader kept the band alive and recruited new members to continue their mix of US power and traditional heavy metal. In the late 1990s, albums like Something Burning (1996) and Cyberchrist (1998) showed a darker, modern edge, while the 2000s saw them return closer to their classic style with Sadistic Symphony (2001) and Warball (2006), the latter reviving their reputation with ex-members and guest singers. Through the 2010s, Vicious Rumors maintained a strong touring presence in Europe and the US, releasing albums such as Razorback Killers (2011), Electric Punishment (2013), and Concussion Protocol (2016). They followed with Celebration Decay (2020) and The Devil's Asylum (2025), the latter with new singer Brian Betterton and guitarist Denver Cooper.
