Thundersteel

by Riot

Overview

"I was born on these streets, years ago/I was the king of the neighborhood," sings vocalist Tony Moore during "Bloodstreets." Such a line probably revealed the sentiment of guitarist Mark Reale perfectly, and it also encapsulates the mood of Thundersteel. A comeback album after several years of inactivity, this 1988 album is an unheralded classic. The disc takes cues from everything that was metal at the time, combining classic European styles reminiscent of Judas Priest's heavier moments (a premonition for Painkiller), thrashing guitars and pounding percussion indicative of the then-burgeoning underground thrash movement (it's got more riffs than Anthrax ever had), and undertones of the hair metal that was riding the charts at the time (especially in appearance) into a cohesive moment of refined ferocity. Perhaps it was this diversity that doomed the record to commercial failure at the time of its release, or even the abundance of dexterous musical histrionics that at times overwhelm Thundersteel (it was well-received in Japan and other areas where techno-metal always had a sizable audience). Regardless, Thundersteel has everything that makes metal great in all its overstated glory, making the disc an unappreciated classic. ~ Brian O'Neill

Product Details

Release Date:	03/01/2008
Label:	Sbme Special Mkts.
UPC:	0886972507828
Rank:	26476

Tracks

1. Thundersteel
2. Fight or Fall
3. Sign of the Crimson Storm
4. Flight of the Warrior
5. On Wings of Eagles
6. Johnny's Back
7. Bloodstreets
8. Run for Your Life
9. Buried Alive (Tell Tale Heart)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Riot   Primary Artist,Primary Artist
Mark Edwards   Drums
Mark Reale   Guitar
Bobby Jarzombek   Drums
Tony Moore   Vocals
Don Van Stavern   Bass
Tom Moore   Vocals

Technical Credits

Bob Held   Composer
Christopher Shaw   Assistant Engineer
Rod Hui   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Mark Reale   Composer,Producer
Bobby Jarzombek   Composer
Ada Lee   Make-Up,Hair Stylist
Matt Tritto   Assistant Engineer
Riot   Performer,Performer
Howie Weinberg   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Nick Sansano   Engineer
Mark Weiss   Photography
Tony Moore   Composer
Don Van Stavern   Composer
Steve Loeb   Producer,Composer