•
Rating:
Riot were a fundamental band in the history of heavy metal, as they were the first in the United States to infuse it with the most primordial power metal (nothing to do with what power metal would become in the 90s, to be clear). This is indeed considered, rightly so, the first American power metal album: or rather, America's response to the phenomenon of heavy metal that developed in England at the end of the '70s and then degenerated after the mid-'80s.
The formula offered by this group is as simple as it is infallible: short but effective songs, supported by a fast and hammering drum rhythm, always accompanied by incandescent guitar riffs and solos. All of this is seasoned with the shrill and absolutely heavy voice of the singer, Guy Speranza, who unfortunately left the group immediately after the album's release. Already in this third album by Riot, you can perceive a great taste for melody, which never falls into the dangerous abyss of banality, even though the guitar riffs are nothing innovative: in short, this album is a perfect middle ground between early Angel Witch and the Scorpions of "Virgin Killer". Fast, hammering, concise, and melodic tracks: highly impactful.
The best tracks on the album are "Altar Of The King", which starts as an almost medieval ballad, accompanied by languid electric guitar arpeggios before turning into robust hard rock, over which the guitarist weaves an engaging guitar solo, which I would describe in this case as almost "roaring". It's the only track on the album clearly influenced by the power-epic of Rainbow, at least in the lyrics, which are decidedly focused on a fantasy theme. The title track, the almost maniacal "Outlaw", and "Flashbacks", a live track whose merit is especially the instrumental part: distortions of electric guitar that then transform into a sort of anthem, sung in chorus by the audience, are also excellent. The album ends with "Hot Life": 25 seconds of a screeching solo, practically a chalk squeal on a blackboard.
A heartfelt and lively work, characterized by a bloody, hot, dirty sound: unfortunately, Riot then started a slow yet inexorable descent into banality, ending with the sad pathetic nature of their latest albums, released after 2000. But fortunately, we still have "Fire Down Under" and believe me, that's not little.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
04 Outlaw (04:50)
Down below the border,
He robbed a bank in Mexico.
Half crazed on tequila,
He had a, half million in gold.
There's thunder in the ground,
And he could hear the sound.
A showdown in the distance,
They're gonna ride him down.
Bet your life on the silver ball,
Spin it, 'round the wheel.
Will it land on the black or the red?
The outlaw's got no deal.
When he gambled with women,
He kept an ace up his sleeve.
He always got what he came for,
He never played it clean.
Then he was blinded by passion,
Playing a game of fools.
Thought she was lucky,
Thought she was his best bet,
Guess you find out when you lose.
Bet your life on the silver ball,
Spin it, 'round the wheel.
Will it land on the black or the red?
The outlaw's got no deal.
Bet your life on the silver ball,
Spin it, 'round the wheel.
Will it land on the black or the red?
The outlaw's got no deal.
Bet your life on the silver ball,
Spin it, 'round the wheel.
Will it land on the black or the red?
The outlaw's got no deal.
Bet your life on the silver ball,
Spin it, 'round the wheel.
Will it land on the black or the red?
The outlaw's got no deal.
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By carlino
The Riot are amazing. Swords and tequila, a manifesto.
Even my cat likes them.
