RIOT — Narita (review)

RIOT — Narita album cover Album · 1979 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Unitron
"Road Racin'. Movin' on down the line. Shiftin' gears, racin' through space and time"

Two years after Riot's phenomenal debut Rock City, the band continues at a steady pace with the amazing sound they set up with the debut. Keeping the heavy metal and hard rock blend in tact, not a whole lot has changed. It's another delivery of late 70's metal of the highest quality.

If you've heard any song from this album, it's probably either the instrumental title track or the classic "Road Racin'". I didn't mention this in my review of their debut, but Riot was probably a big influence on the NWoBHM, and the instrumental title track sure fits right in. "Road Racin'" is a classic and legendary song for a reason, immediately it just sucks you in with the electric drilling main riff. One of the greatest moments on the album is the absolutely blistering cover of Steppenwolf's classic "Born to Be Wild". Riot adds in so much personality and so much more fun to the song, with a pumping bassline that pops right out of your speakers, Speranza's fun vocal performance, and killer guitar work. Not to bash the original, but Riot's cover really hits it out of the park. The muscular "Kick Down the Wall", "Do It Up", and "Hot for Love" are other highlights.

Honestly there isn't a whole lot more I can say about the album without repeating what I said in my review of their debut. Riot retains their unique sound, their fun personality, and everything else great about them. However I would say that I prefer the debut, as only the last song on the album was on the weak end and it was short. There's only one weaker song on this album too, but it's the longest one. "Here We Come Again" isn't bad by any means, but six minutes is way too long for a song that doesn't hold up to the rest of the album.

Again, ignore the even more atrocious cover art and have yourself a blast with Narita. The best in Riot's masterpiece trilogy was to come very soon though, and there's no escaping the fire down under.

https://thewickednest.blogspot.com/2018/04/riot-narita-review.html
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Unitron wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I think it's Johnny. At least they got an unappealing name for an even more unappealing mascot!
Vim Fuego wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I mean the cover art too, not the cover songs!
Vim Fuego wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Those Riot covers really are shit!:D Does their mascot have a name?
666sharon666 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Reviewer's Challenge Points: 3

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