I would say "Vinnie Vincent Invasion" was the best album of the 1980's! Easily the best in 1986.
Author Chuck Klosterman (Grantland on KISS)
Vinnie Vincent Invasion (Vinnie Vincent Invasion, 1986): A Joycean masterwork. The Reagan administration’s Blow by Blow. Nine and a half perfect songs (because even I get a little bored during “Back on the Streets”). This was either the second- or third-best rock album released in ’86, depending on your relative feelings toward Master of Puppets and The Queen Is Dead. GRADE: A+
From Chucks book "Fargo Rock City"
https://www.metalsucks.net/2013/09/17/a ... -invasion/
Now, I could try to put into words what makes this album so amazing. But no one will ever sing its praises as eloquently as Chuck Klosterman does in his book Fargo Rock City, wherein Vinnie Vincent Invasion is listed as the sixth greatest hair/glam metal of all time:
“Like a Tasmanian devil whirling toward vaginas and self-destruction, the guitarmageddon unleashed by ex-Kiss wackmobile Vincent on this solo debut is so schlockily stunning that I still have to play this album at least six times every year.”
Klosterman continues:
“Right from track number one, you know what you’re getting: ‘Boys Are Gonna Rock’ has two and a half guitar solos. Singer Robert Fleischman screams about sadomasochism and ejaculations, but—for all practical purposes—this may as well be an instrumental album. At the conclusion of ‘Animal,’ Vincent plays faster and harder and faster and harder and faster and stupider and he’s going nowhere but he’s getting there fast and now your neighbors are banging on the wall and your bookcase speakers are starting to melt and your beagle is in obvious pain and suddenly you suspect that everything in your house is going to IMPLODE. And then Vinnie collapses, and then you hear six seconds of reverb. And then the next song begins (with a guitar solo). It should be also noted that Invasion ultimately ends with 151 seconds of Vincent replicating a car alarm (or perhaps a grain elevator). This is rock ‘n’ roll. This is rock ‘n’ roll? This is rock ‘n’ roll!”
Vinnie Vincent Invasion reviews (years later)
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SerpentRider
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SerpentRider
- Posts: 39
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Re: Vinnie Vincent Invasion reviews (years later)
https://www.decibelgeek.com/vinnie-vinc ... ars-later/
VINNIE VINCENT INVASION - Vinnie Vincent Invasion (Retro-Review) - Decibel Geek
Bakko
6–7 minutes
Vinnie Vincent InvasionKISS‘ unmasking ranks among the most disappointing moments in my life. The MTV special lacked a certain gravitas as half of the “un-maskers” had barely been in the band in 1983. Meaning for lifelong fans the only moment of interest was the two founding members of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. We find out Paul without make-up looks an awful lot like Paul with make-up. Gene. Not so much.
While seeing Vinnie without makeup will never be a key moment of KISS fandom I look back on, Lick It Up stands as KISS’ finest record of the 80’s. Vinnie Vincent had a heavy hand in its greatness. Alas, we all know how the story goes from there. His tenure, while brief, was key in putting KISS back on the map. His contributions to the albums Creature of the Night and Lick It Up and later Revenge were all significant to the success of those records.
Regardless of how one views his much-discussed departure from KISS, one thing is true. Vinnie felt restrained in KISS. And anyone who dared doubt that saw the light with the late summer of 1986 release of the Vinnie Vincent Invasion self-titled record. I had no idea what to expect as a 15-year-old me held that album in the record store. Drummer Bobby Rock’s pants actually looked painted on. Singer Robert Fleischmann, who was holding a horse whip for some reason and looked like he came straight out of a Jefferson Starship music video, didn’t exactly fit one’s perception of that era. And Vinnie. No longer the reserved classic rocker. His hair was so big it barely fit on the albums back cover. I immediately started bartering with my father to get the money to buy it.
The opening track and lead single “Boyz Are Gonna Rock” is 80’s Sunset Strip Hair Metal at its finest. The opening riff is so virile it can get you pregnant. I couldn’t hit rewind fast enough. The subsequent video, however, featured a different singer. Some little whippersnapper named Mark Slaughter. We were fed a bullshit rock ‘n’ roll tale of Vinnie wanting Mark originally but he lost his number so asked Robert to keep the seat warm until Vinnie and Dana figured out how to use a phone book. As silly as that story was, I miss the innocence of that time. Before everyone was a cynical prick. Sometimes the truth is just boring. Does it really matter why?
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Before the listener gets to the second track, “Shoot U Full Of Love”, one thing is clear. This isn’t a KISS record. In many ways, it’s like listening to music for the first time. Vinnie doesn’t play the guitar on this record. He punishes it. Often playing at a pace so frenetic, I felt like I needed to clean up after each guitar solo.
Things slow down a bit with “No Substitute” which I guess is ok. But one of the tracks I like the least. “Animal” and “Twisted” are like sister cities. By the time I managed to make it to the end of side one I was in a haze. The music was both violent and melodic. I wasn’t actually sure I liked it. I didn’t know how to take it. Is it a guitar record? 80’s metal? Thrash? Melodic rock?
Flipping the tape helped. “Do You Wanna Make Love” is the most straight-up metal pop song on the record. I was instantly hooked. Unbeknownst to me, the next song “Back On The Streets” had been kicked around for some time. And almost everyone with a record deal in the early 80’s took a stab at recording their own version of it. Ace Frehley demoed it for his first post-KISS recordings. KISS demoed it for Lick It Up. And former Europe guitarist John Norum put it on his debut solo album. Here it features Vinnie splitting lead vocals with Fleischmann. I never understood the love for this song. Vinnie is an amazing songwriter. This song is a hookless snoozer.
Not to worry. The rest of the way is pure gold. “I Wanna Be Your Victim” is my favorite track on the record. Today anyway. In the same vein as “Do You Wanna Make Love” it is a radio-friendly track that should’ve been a single. It was a different world in 1986 so I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the misogynistic undertones of this record forced the label and radio to stay away from songs like this. “Baby-O” is another track with some history. Based on some the early recordings I’ve heard of this song, they perfected the track for this record. Just a beautiful song.
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
The album ends with what could be called a title track of sorts. “Invasion” sounds like it was written to end an album. In particular this album. An epic track with one Vinnie’s best solos. Ever. The song comes to an end and we are hit some sort of feedback looping for about 73 minutes. Of course, it’s just a couple of minutes but to a fifteen-year-old, it seemed to never end. The main reason I didn’t press stop was because I had to hear how it ended.
The self-titled debut from Vinnie Vincent Invasion is an outrageous, over the top metal masterpiece. Often overlooked in an era that favored Motley Crue, RATT and Bon Jovi, VVI’s first record was a proclamation of virtuosity and songwriting. It has its haters but they are wrong. From the first boner inducing notes of “Boyz Gonna Rock” to “Invasion” last gasping sound of a guitar that had been waterboarded for 47:55, Vinnie Vincent’s Invasion is one of the best albums of an era that is easily dismissed. It challenged the perceptions of what could be done with guitars, bass, and drums. It features some of the purest peak range vocals with some of the strongest melodies and hooks of any era. If you’ve never heard it you are missing out. You can buy it here.
VINNIE VINCENT INVASION - Vinnie Vincent Invasion (Retro-Review) - Decibel Geek
Bakko
6–7 minutes
Vinnie Vincent InvasionKISS‘ unmasking ranks among the most disappointing moments in my life. The MTV special lacked a certain gravitas as half of the “un-maskers” had barely been in the band in 1983. Meaning for lifelong fans the only moment of interest was the two founding members of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. We find out Paul without make-up looks an awful lot like Paul with make-up. Gene. Not so much.
While seeing Vinnie without makeup will never be a key moment of KISS fandom I look back on, Lick It Up stands as KISS’ finest record of the 80’s. Vinnie Vincent had a heavy hand in its greatness. Alas, we all know how the story goes from there. His tenure, while brief, was key in putting KISS back on the map. His contributions to the albums Creature of the Night and Lick It Up and later Revenge were all significant to the success of those records.
Regardless of how one views his much-discussed departure from KISS, one thing is true. Vinnie felt restrained in KISS. And anyone who dared doubt that saw the light with the late summer of 1986 release of the Vinnie Vincent Invasion self-titled record. I had no idea what to expect as a 15-year-old me held that album in the record store. Drummer Bobby Rock’s pants actually looked painted on. Singer Robert Fleischmann, who was holding a horse whip for some reason and looked like he came straight out of a Jefferson Starship music video, didn’t exactly fit one’s perception of that era. And Vinnie. No longer the reserved classic rocker. His hair was so big it barely fit on the albums back cover. I immediately started bartering with my father to get the money to buy it.
The opening track and lead single “Boyz Are Gonna Rock” is 80’s Sunset Strip Hair Metal at its finest. The opening riff is so virile it can get you pregnant. I couldn’t hit rewind fast enough. The subsequent video, however, featured a different singer. Some little whippersnapper named Mark Slaughter. We were fed a bullshit rock ‘n’ roll tale of Vinnie wanting Mark originally but he lost his number so asked Robert to keep the seat warm until Vinnie and Dana figured out how to use a phone book. As silly as that story was, I miss the innocence of that time. Before everyone was a cynical prick. Sometimes the truth is just boring. Does it really matter why?
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Before the listener gets to the second track, “Shoot U Full Of Love”, one thing is clear. This isn’t a KISS record. In many ways, it’s like listening to music for the first time. Vinnie doesn’t play the guitar on this record. He punishes it. Often playing at a pace so frenetic, I felt like I needed to clean up after each guitar solo.
Things slow down a bit with “No Substitute” which I guess is ok. But one of the tracks I like the least. “Animal” and “Twisted” are like sister cities. By the time I managed to make it to the end of side one I was in a haze. The music was both violent and melodic. I wasn’t actually sure I liked it. I didn’t know how to take it. Is it a guitar record? 80’s metal? Thrash? Melodic rock?
Flipping the tape helped. “Do You Wanna Make Love” is the most straight-up metal pop song on the record. I was instantly hooked. Unbeknownst to me, the next song “Back On The Streets” had been kicked around for some time. And almost everyone with a record deal in the early 80’s took a stab at recording their own version of it. Ace Frehley demoed it for his first post-KISS recordings. KISS demoed it for Lick It Up. And former Europe guitarist John Norum put it on his debut solo album. Here it features Vinnie splitting lead vocals with Fleischmann. I never understood the love for this song. Vinnie is an amazing songwriter. This song is a hookless snoozer.
Not to worry. The rest of the way is pure gold. “I Wanna Be Your Victim” is my favorite track on the record. Today anyway. In the same vein as “Do You Wanna Make Love” it is a radio-friendly track that should’ve been a single. It was a different world in 1986 so I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the misogynistic undertones of this record forced the label and radio to stay away from songs like this. “Baby-O” is another track with some history. Based on some the early recordings I’ve heard of this song, they perfected the track for this record. Just a beautiful song.
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
The album ends with what could be called a title track of sorts. “Invasion” sounds like it was written to end an album. In particular this album. An epic track with one Vinnie’s best solos. Ever. The song comes to an end and we are hit some sort of feedback looping for about 73 minutes. Of course, it’s just a couple of minutes but to a fifteen-year-old, it seemed to never end. The main reason I didn’t press stop was because I had to hear how it ended.
The self-titled debut from Vinnie Vincent Invasion is an outrageous, over the top metal masterpiece. Often overlooked in an era that favored Motley Crue, RATT and Bon Jovi, VVI’s first record was a proclamation of virtuosity and songwriting. It has its haters but they are wrong. From the first boner inducing notes of “Boyz Gonna Rock” to “Invasion” last gasping sound of a guitar that had been waterboarded for 47:55, Vinnie Vincent’s Invasion is one of the best albums of an era that is easily dismissed. It challenged the perceptions of what could be done with guitars, bass, and drums. It features some of the purest peak range vocals with some of the strongest melodies and hooks of any era. If you’ve never heard it you are missing out. You can buy it here.
Re: Vinnie Vincent Invasion reviews (years later)
Pretty good review, can't understand why he doesn't like Back on The Streets and No Substitute? They are also killer songs, LoL....
Commander in chief - VVF Army
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SerpentRider
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:51 am
Re: Vinnie Vincent Invasion reviews (years later)
https://80smetalman.wordpress.com/2020/ ... -invasion/
Great Metal Albums of 1986: Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Alice Cooper was making his big comeback with his “The Nightmare Returns” tour in 1986. Supporting him was a band whose guitarist had a stint with the legends, KISS. No prizes here, the man was Vinnie Vincent and his band was called Vinnie Vincent Invasion who were making their debut with this self titled album.
Vinnie Vincent
Here’s where some might question my sanity but I have always liked this album. I know of some who don’t. Admittedly, it’s not quite up there with some of the more classic album which came out in that year but it’s still a good album in its own right. My introduction to it came when I was in London where a local heavy metal club played the first two tracks quite a bit. The guitar riffs on “Boyz Are Gonna Rock” blew me away at the time, actually, they’re still quite good. Although now, with a more informed ear, I suspect that Vinnie was trying to copy some of the other guitar greats around at the time like Malmsteen.
It’s probably because the first two tracks introduced me to the album is why I consider them the two best tracks on it. “Shoot U Full of Love,” with the innuendo in the title is a straight up metal song and Vinnie does lay down a cool solo on that one. On the other hand, the attempt at a power ballad in “No Substitute” fails to connect with me but that shortfall is compensated by the next track, “Animal.” This is a good power rocker, though I think that Vinnie overdoes it a little with the Yngwie type shredding.
If they had cut out the silly harmonizing at the beginning of “Twisted,” the song would have stood on it’s own. The song drifts towards the territory of speed metal here and I’m impressed with the backing vocals here. Even Vinnie’s guitar solo sounds more like a speed metal solo. Then it’s on to “Do You Wanna Make Love,” which has a strong resemblance to a song from Vinnie’s former band. If you close your eyes and listen to the first few notes of this one, you might think it’s “Lick It Up.” I will go out on a limb and say that Vinnie’s guitar solo is better on this one.
“Invasion” takes an interesting turn on “Back on the Streets.” It goes for a more blues feel and credit where due, I think the band pulls it off. It was the second single from the album but since “Boyz Are Gonna Rock” is the best known track, “Back on the Streets” is my pick for hidden gem. Then, they go back to more traditional metal with “I Wanna Be Your Victim.”
Here’s where I go controversial. I think the album would have been great with nine tracks. Nothing wrong with “Baby-O” but it’s more filler than thriller. As for the closer, “Invasion,” it fulfills it’s role as closer very well as it would sound out of place anywhere else on the album. However, that annoying three minute loop at the end does my head in. I’m glad I heard this album on cassette as it doesn’t end on vinyl until you pick the needle up.
Track Listing:
Boyz Are Gonna Rock
Shoot U Full of Love
No Substitute
Animal
Twisted
Do You Wanna Make Love
Back On the Streets
I Wanna be Your Victim
Baby- O
Invasion
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Vinnie Vincent- guitar, vocals
Robert Fleishman- vocals
Dana Strum- bass, backing vocals
Bobby Rock- drums
Note: Mark Slaughter appears as singer in the video for “Boyz Are Gonna Rock.”
Vinnie Vincent proved that he could survive without KISS, even if he did look more like a lady. There will be a future post on those lines. Anyway, I think this was a good album for 1986, although some might not agree. In any case, I’m sad that I missed Vinnie with Alice. That must have been a wild show.
Great Metal Albums of 1986: Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Alice Cooper was making his big comeback with his “The Nightmare Returns” tour in 1986. Supporting him was a band whose guitarist had a stint with the legends, KISS. No prizes here, the man was Vinnie Vincent and his band was called Vinnie Vincent Invasion who were making their debut with this self titled album.
Vinnie Vincent
Here’s where some might question my sanity but I have always liked this album. I know of some who don’t. Admittedly, it’s not quite up there with some of the more classic album which came out in that year but it’s still a good album in its own right. My introduction to it came when I was in London where a local heavy metal club played the first two tracks quite a bit. The guitar riffs on “Boyz Are Gonna Rock” blew me away at the time, actually, they’re still quite good. Although now, with a more informed ear, I suspect that Vinnie was trying to copy some of the other guitar greats around at the time like Malmsteen.
It’s probably because the first two tracks introduced me to the album is why I consider them the two best tracks on it. “Shoot U Full of Love,” with the innuendo in the title is a straight up metal song and Vinnie does lay down a cool solo on that one. On the other hand, the attempt at a power ballad in “No Substitute” fails to connect with me but that shortfall is compensated by the next track, “Animal.” This is a good power rocker, though I think that Vinnie overdoes it a little with the Yngwie type shredding.
If they had cut out the silly harmonizing at the beginning of “Twisted,” the song would have stood on it’s own. The song drifts towards the territory of speed metal here and I’m impressed with the backing vocals here. Even Vinnie’s guitar solo sounds more like a speed metal solo. Then it’s on to “Do You Wanna Make Love,” which has a strong resemblance to a song from Vinnie’s former band. If you close your eyes and listen to the first few notes of this one, you might think it’s “Lick It Up.” I will go out on a limb and say that Vinnie’s guitar solo is better on this one.
“Invasion” takes an interesting turn on “Back on the Streets.” It goes for a more blues feel and credit where due, I think the band pulls it off. It was the second single from the album but since “Boyz Are Gonna Rock” is the best known track, “Back on the Streets” is my pick for hidden gem. Then, they go back to more traditional metal with “I Wanna Be Your Victim.”
Here’s where I go controversial. I think the album would have been great with nine tracks. Nothing wrong with “Baby-O” but it’s more filler than thriller. As for the closer, “Invasion,” it fulfills it’s role as closer very well as it would sound out of place anywhere else on the album. However, that annoying three minute loop at the end does my head in. I’m glad I heard this album on cassette as it doesn’t end on vinyl until you pick the needle up.
Track Listing:
Boyz Are Gonna Rock
Shoot U Full of Love
No Substitute
Animal
Twisted
Do You Wanna Make Love
Back On the Streets
I Wanna be Your Victim
Baby- O
Invasion
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Vinnie Vincent- guitar, vocals
Robert Fleishman- vocals
Dana Strum- bass, backing vocals
Bobby Rock- drums
Note: Mark Slaughter appears as singer in the video for “Boyz Are Gonna Rock.”
Vinnie Vincent proved that he could survive without KISS, even if he did look more like a lady. There will be a future post on those lines. Anyway, I think this was a good album for 1986, although some might not agree. In any case, I’m sad that I missed Vinnie with Alice. That must have been a wild show.