RIOT – Archives Volume 2 1982-1983 (2019) *Exclusive*

Without a doubt one of the most influential American hard rock / metal acts, RIOT set the table for the ’80s sound of the genre in the US. Released by very good German label High Roller Records few days ago, “Archives Volume 2 1982-1983” features unheard material from the ‘Mark II’ Riot era, with stupendous vocalist Rhett Forrester at the mic.

It’s almost impossible to ignore the importance of Riot for the evolution of American metal. The New Yorkers built the bridge between the first generation of hard rock and metal bands springing up in the early to mid-1970s (Blue Öyster Cult, Kiss and Van Halen) and the new wave carrying the torch in the late Seventies and early Eighties.
Formed in New York City in 1975, Riot recorded some of the best albums from the genre by a US-based band: ‘Rock City’, ‘Narita’, and ‘Fire Down Under’. All mentioned by bands like Y&T, Tesla, etc as huge influence.

Although the main protagonists of Riot are no longer with us – singer Guy Speranza died on November 8th 2003 and main man Mark Reale, guitarist and principal songwriter, sadly passed away on January 25th 2012 – it’s second guitarist Rick Ventura who is still alive (and making music).
He joined Riot after the recording of the band’s second album in 1979, and helped to create this release.

“Archives Volume 2 1982-1983” features material from the Rhett Forrester era in Riot, and he only did two albums so the majority of them appear here.
There’s an entire alternate mix of the “Restless Breed” album, Rhett’s vocals are pulled back a bit and are less over-the-top, there are also a couple of extended and instrumental tracks.
I particularly enjoyed the extraordinary 8-minute version of “Loved By You”.

The real eye opener here is the “Born In America” (Forrester’s last album with Riot) stuff. There are only four of the album tracks but in a much better mix, the bass is prominent and I hear a bit more reverb on the vocals and guitar.
I’ve always thought the material on “Born In America” was among Riot’s best, let down by a terrible production and this proves it, I wish I could get the whole album in this form.

Additionally, we find a couple of rare / unreleased songs called “Hot Life” and “You Better Run” which did not make it onto any Riot album, plus the CD also features the original auditions for Rhett Forrester, with him singing “Hard Lovin’ Man” and “Vigilante Killer” – a real jewel.
This is Classic American Hard Rock collectors stuff folks
Highly Recommended

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

01 – You Better Run (Rough Mix)
02 – Hard Lovin Man (Rough Mix)
03 – C.I.A. (Rough Mix)
04 – Restless Breed (Rough Mix)
05 – When I Was Young (Rough Mix)
06 – Loanshark (Rough Mix)
07 – Dream Away (Rough Mix)
08 – Over to You (Rough Mix)
09 – Violent Crimes (Rough Mix)
10 – Showdown (Rough Mix)
11 – Loved by You (8 Minute Version)
12 – You Better Run (Instrumental Rough Mix)
13 – Violent Crimes (Instrumental Rough Mix)
14 – Hot Life (Rough Mix)
15 – Born in America (Rough Mix)
16 – You Burn in Me (Rough Mix)
17 – Vigilante Killer (Rough Mix)
18 – Gunfighter (Rough Mix)
19 – Hard Lovin Man (Rhett Forrester Audition Tape)
20 – Vigilante Killer (Rhett Forrester Audition Tape)

Guy Speranza — vocals
Rhett Forrester — vocals
Mark Reale — guitar
Rick Ventura — guitar
Kip Leming — bass
Phil Feit — bass
Jimmy Iommi — bass
Sandy Slavin — drums

BUY IT !
www.shinybeast.nl/item/472676/riot_archives_volume_2_1981_1982_dvd.html
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