Search - Riot :: Born in America

The Last "Classic" Riot Album

Erik Rupp | Southern California | 06/10/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After the classic FIRE DOWN UNDER and RESTLESS BREED albums, RIOT should have been major stars. Instead, they found themselves dumped by their record label. BORN IN AMERICA, however, IS a solid follow up to those albums, one that combines the styles of those two with more Judas Priest influences. BIA is a Heavier album than either FDU or RB, but does lose a little of the "class" that those two albums showed. But not much. BORN IN AMERICA is still top-notch early 80's American Metal, with standout tracks like "Running From The Law," "Heavy Metal Machine," "Gunfighter," and the classic title track. Sadly, this line-up fell apart after their BIA tour, and will never be able to get back together due to the untimely death of powerhouse vocalist Rhett Forrester in the early 90's. But if you like straight-ahead Hard Rock and Metal, BORN IN AMERICA is for you. -(and if you like this one, check out Armored Saint's SYMBOL OF SALVATION, and Saxon's UNLEASH THE BEAST and METALHEAD CD's)"

The best Riot album

Erik Rupp | 08/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I always thought this album got a bit of a short shrift with fans for some reason I've never been able to figure out. Maybe it was the terrible, boring cover. Whatever the reason, this, without a doubt was their greatest moment. If you liked Fire Down Under and Restless Breed, then you should love this, as it basically combines the great songwriting of "Fire" with the heavier sound of "Breed", then turns it up a few more notches after that. "Heavy Metal Machine" was the fastest, most intense pure headbanger they had ever done by far up to that time. "Vigilate Killer" slams. Rhett Forrester's voice is much more agressive and less bluesy than on "Breed". I suppose it's personal taste, but although I like Guy Speranza a great deal, I always preferred Rhetts gruff, ballsy voice to Guy's more "Arena Rock" soprano. This is a great, metal album. Even a 20-something friend who likes nothing but thrash and metalcore heard "Heavy Metal Machine" and said "Wow, that was pretty intense" Not bad for an early 80's track."

This album rocks!

Christopher Fryer | United States | 06/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first Riot album I bought and I still think it is their best. No offense to Guy Speranza (rest in peace) and the first three classic albums, but this album is full of kick ass tunes. Check out the title track, You Burn In Me, Vigilante Killer, etc. Mark Reale is greatly underrated. The man can play a burning lead and the riffs on this album knock down walls. Reale's Riot continue to put out good albums even to this day. Keep supporting these guys!"