Savatage - Vicious Rumors

Nov.6, 1991

London, UK The Marquee
From: Metal Hammer, UK
By: Xavier Russell
Contributed by: Elle
Transcribed by: Ellen Bakvis

Opera buffs

I sadly missed the majority of Vicious Rumors' set. But what I saw I was mightily impressed with. The San Francisco quintet got a decent sound and went down very well, and if you ask me they shoulda been headlining their own show.
'Digital Dictator' sounded sharp, krisp and sweet. Mark McGee and Geoff Thorpe riffed relentlessly away, while frontman Carl Albert's soaring vokals were a joy to behold. 'Down To The Temple' had a sorta Maiden feel about it, but 'Don't Wait For Me' was vintage Rumors - MELODIK, HARD-EDGED METAL delivered with klass.
It's a krying shame that they didn't get to play a full show, let's hope Atlantic now have the sense to get behind Vicious Rumors, bekause they have a potential MONEY SPINNER on their hands !

It seems like a lifetime since I last saw Savatage, but they remain a very klassy band - almost bordering on FRASH, but just managing to remain on the HARD ROKK side of the fence. Lead singer Jon Oliva has lost none of his charm, and is still a MENACING frontman. Evidence of this kould be found on the opening number 'Hall Of The Mountain King', which he sings with IMMENSE PASSION. 'Streets' and 'Jesus Saves' were kasually FLICKED off the wrist, but 'Of Rage And War' was delivered with such AGRESSION that I thought the house PA was gonna kave in! From the recently released 'Streets, A Rock Opera' , 'Strange Reality' and 'Agony And Ecstacy' both showed how the band have MATURED over the years - especially the guitar playing of Criss Oliva, who seems to have added another LAYER to his already impressive RIFFING. But it was the golden oldie 'Sirens' that really did it for me, as this toon still sounds REFRESHINGLY new, even by today's standards.

Savatage are still a force to be rekkoned with, and judging by tonight's healthy turnout (let's not forget that Slayer were playing in the Hammersmith Odeon on the same night), are still immensely popular. Not surprisingly, they got two well deserved enkores, a FRASH/country PISS-TAKE that neatly led into 'Somewhere In Time/Believe' ; and then they finally closed with 'Mentally Yours'. Great evening, shame about the EARLY FINISH ! Xavier Russell.