Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Riot - ThunderSteel (1988)

The rampant energy that greets the listener on the title and opening track on this record sets the tone for what to expect over the coming album.  It's full on intensity summarises the intent of the band from the off.  They are here to entertain most certainly, deploying a brand of heavy metal tinged with power metal vocals to give variety or annoyance (depending on your viewpoint of Tony Moore).  I find the majority of the vocals remind me of a less capable Rob Halford but it is obvious that they fit the music and the guitar work of Mark Reale, whilst never reaching Downing or Tipton levels of brilliance, is skillful enough to keep the JP reference relevant.

Structure-wise, songs are very anthemic in their build giving a core focus across most tracks even if you aren't concentrating enough to enjoy the whole array of solid percussion and riffs on display.  This makes the album great background music. That's not a criticism either.  It is unlikely that I will spend much of my life sat studying the intricacies of any Riot album, so it is refreshing to be able to tune out of the detail and still enjoy an album whilst my main focus is elsewhere.

It gets the foot tapping and on some occasions the fist gets raised also, as I allow  the album to provide momentary distraction from whatever it is I am doing.  The only criticism comes in the sense that it is all too similar overall and to some extent I get track creep where I don't necessarily see the beginning of one track as being an actual difference in comparison with what just ended.

Mild repetition aside, this is enjoyable enough and one of the better releases I have heard from the band in al honesty and would probably make a great addition to most hard rock/heavy metal fan's library.