Victims of Deception

Victims of Deception is the second album by the American thrash metal band Heathen, which was released in 1991 by Roadrunner Records. It was re-issued by Metal Mind Productions in 2006, as a digipak in a limited amount of 2000 numbered copies.

Victims of Deception
Studio album by
Heathen
ReleasedApril 12, 1991
Recorded1989–1991
Studio
GenreThrash metal
LabelRoadrunner
ProducerHeathen and Rob Beaton
Heathen chronology
Breaking the Silence
(1987)		 Victims of Deception
(1991)		 The Evolution of Chaos
(2010)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Sputnikmusic link
Sea Of Tranquility link
The Metal Crypt link

The bonus track "Hellbound" is a cover of Tygers of Pan Tang. The intro of "Hypnotized" features excerpts from a speech by evangelist Jim Jones. It was the band's last studio album for 18 years until the 2009 release of The Evolution of Chaos.

History

Heathen's lineup changes, tours and financial issues stalled the recording process of this album, which lasted from 1989 to 1991. The band began work on the album in 1988 after David White was replaced by former Exodus singer Paul Baloff.

After recording a demo with Baloff in the fall of 1988, the band broke up after the departure bassist Mike "Yaz" Jastremski, but reunited some time later, with former Metal Church singer David Wayne replacing Baloff and Manny Bravo replacing Yaz.[1] Wayne's tenure with Heathen lasted for only a few days, and White soon returned to the band. Bravo would also leave the band; he was replaced by Blind Illusion bassist Vern McEllroy.[1] The lineup of White, Altus, Piercy, McEllroy and Minter recorded a demo in March 1989, and entered the studio later that year to begin recording their second album under the name Fear of the Unknown, which was intended to be released in 1990. However, due to monetary problems, the album's release was delayed.[1] When the album was recorded again, Heathen did not have an official bass player; the bass tracks were handled by Blind Illusion guitarist/frontman Marc Biedermann. The band had many bassists on this tour and album including Randy Laire, formerly of Sacramento California based band Vision.

Singles were released for the cover of Rainbow's "Kill the King" and "Prisoners of Fate".

Musical direction

This album is considerably more technical and progressive than its predecessor. It features many tempo changes, complex song structures, odd time signatures, longer song lengths, and more frequent guitar solos. It is considered among the most technical thrash albums ever, and part of the so-called "technical/progressive thrash" movement of the late 1980s, early 1990s (other pivotal albums in this era [chronologically] included Metallica's ...And Justice for All, Toxik's Think This, Watchtower's Control and Resistance, Megadeth's Rust in Peace, Dark Angel's Time Does Not Heal, Coroner's Mental Vortex, and Deathrow's Deception Ignored).

Track listing
Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Hypnotized"Lee Altus, David White8:35
2."Opiate of the Masses"Altus, White7:50
3."Heathen's Song"Altus, White, Jim Sanguinetti9:27
4."Kill the King" (Rainbow Cover)Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell3:35
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Fear of the Unknown"Altus, White7:08
6."Prisoners of Fate"Altus, White6:21
7."Morbid Curiosity"Doug Piercy, White6:28
8."Guitarmony" (Instrumental)Piercy3:31
9."Mercy Is No Virtue"Altus, White6:29
Total length:59:24
Japanese Bonus Track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Timeless Cell of Prophecy"Altus, White5:23
Total length:1:04:47
Digipak Bonus Tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Timeless Cell of Prophecy"Altus, White5:23
2."Hellbound" (Tygers of Pan Tang Cover)Tygers of Pan Tang3:40
Total length:1:08:27

Credits
Additional Musicians
  • Thaen Rasmussen - Lead Guitars on "Prisoners of Fate" and "Guitarmony"
  • Marc Biedermann - Bass

Production
  • Eddy Schreyer - Mastering
  • Jim "Watts" Vereecke - Engineering (assistant)
  • Larry Schalit - Engineering (assistant)
  • Pete Carlson - Engineering (assistant)
  • Rich Cavanaugh - Engineering (assistant)
  • Joe Giron - Photography
  • Patricia Mooney - Art direction
  • Alvin Petty - Cover art, Logo
  • Rob Beaton - Producer, Engineering, Mixing

References
  1. "RockBox - Heathen - Discography". psychocydd.filessoo.com. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
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