Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Riot - ThunderSteel (1988)

Riot started out as one of the earliest notable American heavy metal bands, but with their 6th album, they brought in some speedy power metal. NO I don't mean US power metal, although they have that too. I'm talking about the European power metal that was first building up in Germany at that time. The speed metal elements would also pave the way for Judas Priest's Painkiller a couple years later. Evil ones beware of a cyborg tank warrior made of thunder and steel. This is Thundersteel!

Nowadays, metal is judged more by music that image, so people can recognize the Judas Priest-isms more musically now, rather than visually in the 80s. You can hear the high berserk vocals of Tony Moore, the guitar work of axeman Mark Reale (RIP), the pounding drums of Bobby Jarzombek, and solid basswork by Don Van Stavern.

The lightning fast title opener shows a lot of the speedy side of Judas Priest, and it shall be praised by the Metal Gods. Also having your money's worth is the next track "Fight or Fall". There's more monstrous riffing to be found in "Sign of the Crimson Storm". It's still a metal anthem despite slowing down into the hard rock-ish sound of the band's early material, maybe even Deep Purple.

"Flight of the Warrior" is another memorable highlight. The chorus is quite awesome, as is the speedy riffing and leads. I'm familiar with that one via HammerFall's cover. "On Wings of Eagles" is also pretty great, having some of the grit of early Metallica. From the bass intro onwards, "Johnny’s Back" runs wild with its speed.

Then we slow down for the power ballad "Bloodstreets" with its heavy/mellow blend that they can pull off as greatly as Manowar and Crimson Glory. "Run for Your Life" cranks up the speed a little more in the guitar. The chorus is the best part when the vocals switch from high and low. I love it better than that similarly titled song from Fire Down Under. Now, the 9-minute epic "Buried Alive (The Tell Tale Heart)" I enjoy, but when I first listened to this album, the aforementioned opening title track was my favorite here. But as I revisit it, this epic is now my favorite! Must've been my growing appreciation for epics. Anyway, an odd voice sample leads into solitary guitar soloing similar to Crimson Glory throughout the first 3 minutes. Then the rest of the song carries on in an Iron Maiden mid-paced groove. Brilliant!

All in all, the historical value for Thundersteel is off the charts! It has the speedy melody of power metal and the glory of classic heavy metal all in one mighty masterpiece. If anyone is up for some of the earliest Euro-style power metal besides Helloween and Running Wild, it's all right here. Onward, my fellow warriors of steel!

Favorites: "Thundersteel", "Sign of the Crimson Storm", "Flight of the Warrior", "Run for Your Life", "Buried Alive (The Tell Tale Heart)"