Vicious Rumors - Soldiers of the Night 12" Vinyl LP Album Cover Gallery and Description

- A Shred-Infused Power Metal Onslaught That Defined an Era”

Album cover of Vicious Rumors – Soldiers of the Night featuring a fantasy battle scene with armored warriors wielding weapons, riding a dragon-headed war chariot through a fiery, apocalyptic battlefield. The artwork is dominated by intense red and orange flames, evoking a powerful and aggressive metal aesthetic

"Soldiers of the Night," the inaugural full-length assault by Californian metal stalwarts Vicious Rumors, commands attention on a 12" Vinyl LP Album released in 1985. This album stands as a testament to the band's early mastery of metal craftsmanship. With relentless energy and powerful vocals, "Soldiers of the Night" solidifies Vicious Rumors' presence in the metal landscape, marking a definitive chapter in the band's journey and contributing to the vibrant metal scene of the mid-1980s.

Album Description:

Soldiers of the Night is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Vicious Rumors, released in 1985 by Shrapnel Records. The album was produced by Steve Fontano and Vicious Rumors, and recorded at Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Cotati, California.

The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 46 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. It was praised for its strong songwriting, technical musicianship, and aggressive vocals. The album spawned two singles, "Ride (Into the Sun)" and "Blistering Winds", which both received heavy rotation on MTV.

Soldiers of the Night was met with positive reviews from critics. AllMusic's Eduardo Rivadavia gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "a classic of the American power metal genre". He praised the band's "tight musicianship" and "powerful vocals", and singled out the songs "Ride (Into the Sun)", "Blistering Winds", and "Murder" as highlights.

Legacy
Soldiers of the Night is considered to be one of the most important albums in the history of American heavy metal. It helped to establish Vicious Rumors as a major force in the genre, and its influence can be heard in the work of many other bands, such as Metallica, Megadeth, and Pantera. The album was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies in the United States.

Album Cover
The album cover for Soldiers of the Night was designed by Lionel Baker II and features a painting of a skeletal knight riding a fiery steed. The painting is meant to represent the power and aggression of the music on the album.

 

Vicious Rumors Band Description

Vicious Rumors is an American heavy metal band, originally formed in 1979 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was conceived by founder and guitarist/vocalist Geoff Thorpe, and has been actively recording and touring worldwide since their full-length recording debut in 1985. The band is signed to the Germany-based label SPV/Steamhammer.

The band's lineup has changed over the years, but Thorpe has been the only constant member. Other notable members have included vocalists Gary St. Pierre, Carl Albert, and Ronny Munroe; guitarists Vinnie Moore, Mark McGee, and Gunnar DüGrey; bassists Dave Starr and Robin Utbult; and drummers Larry Howe and Sean Reinert.

Vicious Rumors have released 12 studio albums, 2 live albums, and 3 compilation albums. Their most successful album was their debut, Soldiers of the Night, which was released in 1985. The album reached number 46 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and was certified gold by the RIAA.

The band has toured extensively throughout their career, and have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in heavy metal, including Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. They continue to be active and have released their latest studio album, Brotherhood, in 2022.

Vicious Rumors are known for their aggressive, melodic brand of heavy metal. Their music is often described as "power metal" or "speed metal". They are also known for their technical musicianship, with complex guitar solos and intricate drum patterns.

 

Album Production Information:

Produced by Steve Fontano, Vicious Rumors.

Steve Fontano is a renowned music producer and sound engineer whose expertise shaped the sound of 1980s Heavy Metal. Known for his work with W.A.S.P., Racer X, and Tony MacAlpine, his technical mastery brought iconic albums to life. A key figure in the genre, Fontano’s contributions continue to influence music production today. Learn more about his career on the Steve Fontano biography page.

Recorded at Prairie Sun, Cotati, CA.

Prairie Sun Recording Studios, located in Cotati, California, has been a pivotal force in rock and metal music, shaping legendary albums with its world-class facilities and expert engineering. Hosting iconic bands from the 1980s onward, it remains a creative hub for artists seeking top-tier sound production. Explore its history and album gallery here .

Album cover artwork by: Lionel Baker II

Photography Jim Marshall

Jim Marshall was a legendary music photographer known for capturing rock’s most iconic moments. His images of Jimi Hendrix at Monterey, Johnny Cash at San Quentin, and The Beatles defined an era. With unparalleled access, he documented the raw energy and emotion of music’s greatest legends, leaving a timeless visual legacy that continues to inspire. more…

Record Label & Catalognr:

Roadrunner RR 9734 / Published by Varney Metal Music, Shrapnel Records

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record 

Year and Country:

  1985 Made in Holland

Band Members and Musicians on: Vicious Rumors Soldiers of the Night
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Gary St. Pierre: Vocals
  • Geoff Thorpe: Guitars
  • Vinnie Moore: Guitars
  • Dave Starr: Bass
  • Larry Howe: Drums

Complete Track Listing of: Vicious Rumors Soldiers of the Night
    The Song/tracks are:
  • Premonition
  • Ride (Into The Sun)
  • Medusa
  • Soldiers of the Night
  • Murder
  • March or Die
  • Blitz the World
  • Invader
  • In Fire
  • Domestic Bliss
  • Blistering Winds

Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Vicious Rumors Soldiers of the Night

Photo of Front Cover 
Album cover of Vicious Rumors – Soldiers of the Night featuring a fantasy battle scene with armored warriors wielding weapons, riding a dragon-headed war chariot through a fiery, apocalyptic battlefield. The artwork is dominated by intense red and orange flames, evoking a powerful and aggressive metal aesthetic https://vinyl-records.nl

The Soldiers of the Night album cover by Vicious Rumors is a fiery, battle-ready explosion of fantasy metal fury. The artwork, drenched in ominous reds and oranges, features armored warriors, their muscles bulging, ready for war. One grips a bow and arrow, another wields a dual-bladed weapon, all riding a monstrous dragon-headed war chariot. The apocalyptic battlefield behind them burns in hellish flames, setting the stage for an album that shreds as hard as its cover looks. A perfect visual manifesto of ‘80s power metal aggression.OREM

Photo of Album's Back Cover  
Back cover of Vicious Rumors – Soldiers of the Night featuring band portraits of Vinnie Moore, Gary St. Pierre, Geoff Thorpe, Dave Starr, and Larry Howe against a fiery battlefield background. The tracklist is divided into 'Western Front' and 'Eastern Front,' emphasizing the album’s warlike theme. The Roadrunner Records logo appears in the top right corner alongside a vintage price sticker, while production credits and acknowledgments are listed at the bottom.
The back cover of *Vicious Rumors – Soldiers of the Night* (1985). The album art continues the battle-inspired theme, with a red and black fiery background. Five band members—Vinnie Moore, Gary St. Pierre, Geoff Thorpe, Dave Starr, and Larry Howe—are featured in portrait photos, dressed in classic '80s heavy metal attire. The tracklist is split into "Western Front" and "Eastern Front," reinforcing the album’s aggressive, warlike concept. Production details and acknowledgments appear below, alongside a Roadrunner Records logo and an old price sticker, enhancing the vintage metal album aesthetic.
Close-up Photo of Record Label 
Close-up of the record label from Vicious Rumors – Soldiers of the Night (1985), released by Roadrunner Records (RR 9734). The cream-colored label features the bold red 'Roadrunner R' logo, tracklist for Side 1, and production credits. The record was made in Holland and plays at 33 RPM in stereo format. Shrapnel Records copyright details appear at the bottom.

Close-up of the record label from Vicious Rumors – Soldiers of the Night Side 1, released in 1985 under Roadrunner Records (RR 9734). The cream-colored label features the bold red “Roadrunner R” logo at the top. Around the outer edge, in red text, are copyright warnings and distribution details, indicating that the record was made in Holland.

The tracklist for Side 1 is printed in black, listing six songs, including Premonition, Ride (Into the Sun), Medusa, Soldiers of the Night, Murder, and March or Die, along with their respective songwriting credits. Below the tracklist, “Vicious Rumors” is prominently displayed in bold, with production credits noting that the album was produced by Fontano in association with Vicious Rumors.

The 33 RPM stereo format is noted on the right side of the label, along with the STEMRA copyright symbol. The Shrapnel Records logo and copyright information appear at the bottom. The spindle hole is centrally placed, and the label is cleanly designed with a focus on readability and branding.

This label captures the essence of mid-’80s heavy metal vinyl releases, blending powerful typography, essential album details, and a minimalist yet bold layout.