 Immortal Soul from RIOT |
The
title of this new Riot album says something about the band. Riot have been
going at it for well over 30 years, yet success on a big scale has always
eluded them. After
a long absence, the band is back in the Thundersteel line up, with the
addition of long serving second axeman Mike Flyntz. So we get Mark Reale
and Flyntz on guitars, drummer extraordinaire Bobby Jarzombek, Don Van
Stavern on bass and Tony Moore. Opening
track “Still Your Man” references quite clearly to
Thundersteel’s “Johnny’s Back” and sets the scene. Second tune
“Riot” is a feisty up tempo headbanger with the focus on the twin
guitars of Flyntz and Reale. “Crawling” is a tad slower, a menacing
tune with a hint of the oriental. Who
needs the current crop of so-called “power” metal bands, when Riot
serves up speed metal like “Wings Are For Angels”? The onslaught
continues with “Sins Of The Father”, another scorching track. “Fall
Before Me” combines groove with epic melody and harmonies. It’s what
Riot does, after all… Short
intrumental interlude “Majestica” hints at albums like Inishmore. The
title track is a semi ballad, or as close as it gets on this blazing disc.
“Insanity” is a bit messy, but the chorus is damn catchy. “Whiskey
Man” wouldn’t have been out of place on Privilege Of Power, but it
also references earlier incarnations of the band. In
“Believe” Moore goes for the high notes again. He’s straining a bit,
it has to be said. Album
closer “Echoes” is a rather complex composition, with Moore yet again
howling like a banshee. Tony
Moore has a recognizable voice, but he doesn’t constantly soar in the
upper registers like he did some 20 years ago. There’s more variation in
his voice. Jarzombek is one of the best metal drummers around. Together
with Van Stavern he lays down a rock solid basis. Reale and Flyntz are two
of the most underrated guitar players in metal. Some of the playing on
this album is staggering. It always has been on Riot albums, especially
from Thundersteel onward. Of
course, all that doesn’t amount to much if the songs are lacking. But if
there’s one thing Riot has never lacked, it’s good tunes. While the
production isn’t quite up to the level of Thundersteel or its follow up
Privilege Of Power, it holds up to today’s standards. Points
of criticism? Sure. The vocal melodies are a bit forced at times.
Moore’s voice may be an acquired taste. Some of the songs could have
done with a bit more streamlining. But those are small niggles when faced
with so fiery an album. Riot
have been producing quality heavy metal for ages. So far, they have
received precious little recognition for it… Don’t let this band go
the way of Metal Church, Jag Panzer and so many other great bands that
have fallen by the wayside
source: www.Virtuosityone.com
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