Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Plenty of fuzzed, struttin', propulsive guitar work on this disc to assault your ears.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    They came, they saw, they rocked viciously. [Jul. 2002, p.82]
  3. On Veni Vidi Vicious, the band plays like rascals on their way to jail, with the prospect of conjugal visits depending on the music's extroverted energy.
  4. Blender
    80
    Their propulsive intensity busts down garage doors, stumbling only with the wrongheaded ersatz cocktail ballad. [#8, p.117]
  5. 80
    The Hives seem to have approached Vicious with one aim in mind: to rock – hard -- for 27 minutes straight. Even more impressively, they actually pull it off.
  6. Veni Vidi Vicious literally explodes with frenetic guitar jangle and audacious hooks.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    They almost vindicate the near-deafening hoopla that preceded this major-label debut. [10 May 2002, p.80]
  8. Instead of coming from noise and chaos, they're rooted in pastiche and show business-- especially on their one midtempo song, the 50s pop knockoff "Find Another Girl." Your parents might dig this album as much as you do.
  9. While brevity alone isn't automatically a virtue, the songs here contain enough ample surprises, and hidden rewards, that there's nothing lacking even as the Hives smartly employ the logic of "always leave them wanting more."
  10. Vicious is a combination of punk's snottiness, Detroit rock's raw power and the stylized blues freak-outs of bands like Pussy Galore.
  11. 80
    Those dependable fuzz tones never get tired, so long as they're accompanied by a propulsive backbeat, maximum adrenaline and a modicum of melody, and Sweden's Hives have all of that.
  12. The Hives' brand of neo-garage leans heavy on punk and lacks nuance, but the unification of speed, volume, and shake generates a scalding steam.
  13. The Hives explode where a hundred other punk bands are proud to rock.
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 44
  2. Negative: 1 out of 44
  1. Jun 12, 2012
    9
    ...It's over already?!? Maybe the main reaction of everyone who listen to this euphoric album. Maybe The Hives best album, it have less than...It's over already?!? Maybe the main reaction of everyone who listen to this euphoric album. Maybe The Hives best album, it have less than 30 minutes (12 songs), 11 fast and powerful songs ("Find Another Girl" looks ironic, it's such a quiet song!), crazy lyrics sang by a crazy singer and fast guitar riffs. This album is ready to explode your sound system! Full Review »
  2. Apr 25, 2012
    7
    This album is a fun throwback to the great garage rock bands of the sixties. It explodes with energy, especially on standout tracks likeThis album is a fun throwback to the great garage rock bands of the sixties. It explodes with energy, especially on standout tracks like "Hate to Say I Told You So", "Main Offender", and "Outsmarted". Full Review »
  3. EricS
    Nov 22, 2007
    7
    Unlike most of the over-hyped retro bands of the early 00s, the Hives actually recapture the essence of the punk-rock pioneers (the Stooges Unlike most of the over-hyped retro bands of the early 00s, the Hives actually recapture the essence of the punk-rock pioneers (the Stooges come to mind). The Hives are a stunning example of how energy and vitality can lend new life to an old style. They may not be inventing anything, but they sure as hell sound like they think they are. The Hives also have a terrific melodic sense. I hope at some point they shed the trappings of their garage-punk sound and produce a pop record. Oh, and Vicious is by far their best work so far. Full Review »