Riot is one of the most paradoxical bands in metal history. How can they be so influential, yet so underrated? Maybe it was mismanagement. Maybe it was a sudden change in singers. Maybe it was being ahead of their time. Even if it were a combination of all three, it still isn’t a good explanation as to why they never reached the heights of others from their era. On today’s episode of Top 10, we examine my Top 10 songs from the greatest American metal band of all time (feel free to debate me later), Riot. Read on, warrior!
10. “Sign of the Crimson Storm”
Thundersteel is one of my favorite albums of all time. I could’ve cheated and used every track to compile 90% of this list. I didn’t, but I came pretty close. “Sign of the Crimson Storm” is the first song off this power metal masterpiece to make the list, but certainly not the last. On an album full of gloriously epic neck snappers, “Sign of the Crimson Storm” is a bit of a departure. It’s carried by a midtempo riff that could’ve been used in a Dio era Sabbath song. It also showcases singer Tony Moore’s strong middle range, as opposed to the stratospheric shrieks throughout the album.
9. “Running from the Law”
Rhett Forrester’s time with Riot was brief, but boy did it leave a mark. Despite only singing on Restless Breed (1982) and Born in America (1983), there’s no shortage of stone cold classics between them. So many of them could’ve cracked this list. “CIA”, “Hard Lovin’ Man”, “Loanshark”, and “Born in America” are just a few. But it’s the slow and ominous “Running from the Law” that earns a spot at #9. Listen to the way Forrester delivers those lyrics. You’d think he was actually evading the authorities.
8. “Road Racin'”
Where were you in ’79? Riot were hot on the heels of their second recorded assault, Narita. Much like its predecessor, Rock City (1977), Narita is a hard rocking, feelgood affair. It’s metal you can crank up at a party for your non-metal friends. Like any great 70s rock album, it features songs about sex (“Hot for Love”), self motivation (“Waiting for the Taking”), and most importantly, breaking the speed limit. Legend has it if you play this on the highway, traffic laws become null and void for the 4 minute and 33 second running time.
7. “Swords and Tequila”
There’s some songs that every dad loves: “Snortin’ Whiskey” by Pat Travers, “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner, anything off the first four Van Halen albums, and this! The closest thing Riot had to a hit single, “Swords and Tequila” is the leadoff cut from their seminal third album, Fire Down Under (1981). By now, Riot were fully armed metal mercenaries. It was albums like Fire Down Under and Y&T’s Earthshaker (1981) that let the British know they weren’t alone in their efforts of amping up metal for the new decade.
6. “Warrior”
When Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio sowed the seeds for power metal in the mid 70s, it was only a matter of time before other young, daring metal outfits caught on. 1977 saw two milestones for the flourishing genre: Scorpions’ “The Sails of Charon” and Riot’s “Warrior”. Compared to the other songs on Rock City, “Warrior” is light years ahead of its time. It has more in common with the blood drenched steel of Jag Panzer than the carefree carousing of REO Speedwagon. Despite its catchy, anthemic chorus, heshers just weren’t ready for this. It’s too bad. Had it caught on, disco may have died two years earlier.
5. “On Wings of Eagles”
In 1988, the once thriving US power metal scene was all but finished. There were some magnificent last gasps (Sanctuary’s Refuge Denied, Liege Lord’s Master Control), but focus had shifted towards Europe’s interpretation (or bastardization, depending on how you see it) of the sound. Helloween and Running Wild became the darlings of metal zines around the globe. And then, ripping through the sky “On Wings of Eagles” came Riot: Back from the dead and ready to reclaim their throne. 32 years later, Thundersteel remains power metal’s Excalibur. Can I get a loud, obnoxious “USA” chant?
4. “Bloodstreets”
Here’s a question I pose to you: Is there anything more powerful than a power metal power ballad? Probably not. When listening to “Bloodstreets”, part of me wants to wave my lighter back and forth. Another part of me wants to stare aimlessly at the world ahead of me, contemplating my life’s triumphs and defeats, wondering where my quest will lead me next. I should probably end this fan fiction here before I alienate our trve kvlt readers.
3. “Thundersteel”
Talk about coming back with a bang! In this case, the “bang” is a deafening roar of thunder. I could only imagine the shock of metalheads raised on the good ol’, all American Riot when they first dropped the needle on this. Double bass overload? Check. Vocals reaching frequency levels that only dogs can here? Check. The finest riff and guitar solo of the late Mark Reale’s career? CHECK. “Thundersteel” is reason #817 why you can’t discuss the pantheon of superlative shredders without discussing Mark Reale.
2. “Outlaw”
Having grown up in the heart of the iTunes generation, I didn’t have the fortune of stumbling across Riot at my neighborhood record store 40 years ago, so lay off. Now that that’s out of the way, let me tell you why “Outlaw” is important to me. I was 12 years old and hungry to ingest anything hard and heavy that came my way. This meant being armed with an iPod touch that was equipped with everything from Montrose and UFO to Venom and Slayer. While haphazardly clicking “purchase” on my favorite songs (R.I.P. dad’s credit card bill), I noticed a new recommendation from iTunes Genius. “Riot? You mean Quiet Riot?” Nope. This was something completely different. Whenever I hear “Outlaw”, it takes me back to our family vacation to the Wisconsin Dells that summer. I must’ve played this and April Wine’s “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” at least 20 times…each!
- “Johnny’s Back”
I mentioned two entries ago what a force of nature Mark Reale was. If for whatever reason “Thundersteel” wasn’t enough to convince you, I recommend you listen to my favorite Riot song, “Johnny’s Back”. At the very least, forward to the 2:57 mark. If this isn’t one of the greatest guitar solos you’ve ever heard, you’re either deaf or a liar. It’s the perfect balance of feeling and flash. Few are able to achieve it. And let’s not forget the stunning display of melody from beginning to end. The only other band I can think of who combined speed and melody so seamlessly is Priest on Painkiller. Taking that into account, Riot may not be a household name, but they’re definitely in good company.