Welcome to the Ball
| Welcome to the Ball | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal, power metal | |||
| Length | 45:04 | |||
| Label | Atlantic[1] | |||
| Producer | Michael Rosen, Geoff Thorpe | |||
| Vicious Rumors chronology | ||||
| ||||
Welcome to the Ball is the fourth album by the American heavy metal band Vicious Rumors, released in 1991.[2] It was produced by Michael Rosen and Geoff Thorpe.[3]
The band supported the album with a North American tour.[4] Welcome to the Ball was nominated for a Bammie Award.[5] A remastered CD version was released by Rock Candy Records in 2024.
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| Chicago Tribune | [7] |
| Rock Hard | 9.0/10[8] |
| Sputnikmusic | 4.0/5[9] |
The Chicago Tribune wrote: "By combining the best of two worlds—the anger and energy of thrash with the harmony and intricate guitar work of more commercial metal—Vicious Rumors sets itself apart from the scores of bands doing one or the other."[7] The Washington Post noted that the band "takes its musical marching orders from such aging British headbangers as Judas Priest... Every once in a while, though, the Vicious ones sound like Kansas."[10]
Track listing
[edit]All songs written by Carl Albert, Geoff Thorpe and Mark McGee, except where noted.
- "Abandoned" - 4:15
- "You Only Live Twice" - 3:38
- "Savior from Anger" - 4:08
- "Children" (Thorpe, Albert, Andre Pessis, McGee) - 4:56
- "Dust to Dust" (McGee, Thorpe) - 4:20
- "Raise Your Hands" (McGee, Thorpe) - 4:02
- "Strange Behavior" (Thorpe, McGee) - 4:08
- "Six Stepsisters" - 3:31
- "Mastermind" - 3:55
- "When Love Comes Down" - 4:58
- "Ends of the Earth" - 3:13
Personnel
[edit]- Carl Albert – lead and backing vocals
- Geoff Thorpe – guitars
- Mark McGee – guitars
- Dave Starr – bass
- Larry Howe – drums
References
[edit]- ^ Selvin, Joel (August 4, 1991). "What's Up". Sunday Datebook. San Francisco Chronicle. p. 45.
- ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry (2007). Metal: The Definitive Guide: Heavy, NWOBH, Progressive, Thrash, Death, Black, Gothic, Doom, Nu. Jawbone Press. p. 323.
- ^ "Welcome to the Ball by Vicious Rumors". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 30. July 27, 1991. p. 66.
- ^ "Rumors' group to play in city". The Patriot-News. December 1, 1991. p. G4.
- ^ Sumrall, Harry (November 22, 1991). "Metallica, Huey Lewis Dominate Bammie List". Eye. San Jose Mercury News. p. 22.
- ^ Theakston, Rob. "Vicious Rumors Welcome to the Ball review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ^ a b Herrmann, Brenda (December 26, 1991). "Rave Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Welcome to the Ball". Rock Hard. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Welcome to the Ball". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ Jenkins, Mark (September 13, 1991). "Vicious Rumors Not Worth Retelling". The Washington Post. p. N18.
