Information/Write-up
Vices is the debut album by Canadian heavy metal band Kick Axe, originally released on May 14, 1984 by Pasha Records and distributed by CBS. Produced by Spencer Proffer, best known for his work on Quiet Riot’s Metal Health, the album blended hard rock melodies with heavy metal riffs and polished studio production.
Vices was initially issued on vinyl and chromium dioxide cassette formats. The cassette version included the bonus track “30 Days in the Hole”, a cover of the Humble Pie classic, which was also featured on the Up the Creek movie soundtrack. A music video for “On the Road to Rock” received moderate airplay on MuchMusic’s Pepsi Power Hour, Canada’s premier metal showcase in the 1980s.
In Canada, Vices reached #66 on the RPM Top 100 Albums chart on September 15, 1984, while in the U.S., it peaked at #126 on the Billboard 200 on September 8, 1984. Critics praised the album for its hard-hitting yet catchy anthems, with vocalist George Criston drawing comparisons to the best of arena rock frontmen of the time.
The album was first remastered and reissued on CD in 2000 as part of the Sony Rewind series.
In 2016, UK label Rock Candy Records issued a deluxe remastered CD edition featuring an extensive band history written by Malcolm Dome, along with vintage photos and liner notes. This edition included “30 Days in the Hole” as a bonus track, making it widely available on CD for the first time.
-Robert Williston
George Criston: lead vocals
Raymond Arthur Harvey: guitar and vocals
Larry Gillstrom: guitar and vocals
Victor Langen: bass and vocals
Brian Gillstrom: drums and vocals
Produced by Spencer Proffer, assisted by Amy Laura Kellinger
Engineered by Duane Baron, Spencer Proffer, and Hanspeter Huber
Mastered by George Marino
Cover artwork by Dario Campanile
Photography by Sam Emerson
Logo illustration by Margo Nahas
Logo design by Jay Vigon
Art direction & design by Jay Vigon, Spencer Proffer
Artist development by Terry DiMonte
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