Riot: Thundersteel

What's your opinion on this album?

I've been listening to it repeatedly for the last three days. Splendid speed metal platter. The best by far

For me this album is almost like the prequel to Judas Priest's Painkiller and to euro speed/power bands that would emerged in the 90s.

I don't think Mark Reale understood the effect this album would have in the long run. Perhaps I am alone in seeing it that way but at the time Thundersteel was released I don't think or at least I am not aware of any other albums that sounded similar, and had this speed/power anthemic feel all the way through.

I still think this album is Riot's best release. In fact this was the first Riot album I got (it was also the cheapest at the time). I didn't know what to expect but I was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get into the earlier albums as much I guess because this album just raised my expectations so high. Of course I realise now that Thundersteel was more or less a one off for Reale, an experiment more than anything.

Don't hate me for it but as far as I am concerned, Riot might have as well released only Thundersteel because for me nothing released since or before has come to the epic greatness of this release.

One of the best albums ever released.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

For me this album is almost like the prequel to Judas Priest's Painkiller and to euro speed/power bands that would emerged in the 90s.

I don't think Mark Reale understood the effect this album would have in the long run. Perhaps I am alone in seeing it that way but at the time Thundersteel was released I don't think or at least I am not aware of any other albums that sounded similar, and had this speed/power anthemic feel all the way through.

I still think this album is Riot's best release. In fact this was the first Riot album I got (it was also the cheapest at the time). I didn't know what to expect but I was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get into the earlier albums as much I guess because this album just raised my expectations so high. Of course I realise now that Thundersteel was more or less a one off for Reale, an experiment more than anything.

Don't hate me for it but as far as I am concerned, Riot might have as well released only Thundersteel because for me nothing released since or before has come to the epic greatness of this release.

I echo his sentiments.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

For me this album is almost like the prequel to Judas Priest's Painkiller and to euro speed/power bands that would emerged in the 90s.

I don't think Mark Reale understood the effect this album would have in the long run. Perhaps I am alone in seeing it that way but at the time Thundersteel was released I don't think or at least I am not aware of any other albums that sounded similar, and had this speed/power anthemic feel all the way through.

I still think this album is Riot's best release. In fact this was the first Riot album I got (it was also the cheapest at the time). I didn't know what to expect but I was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get into the earlier albums as much I guess because this album just raised my expectations so high. Of course I realise now that Thundersteel was more or less a one off for Reale, an experiment more than anything.

Don't hate me for it but as far as I am concerned, Riot might have as well released only Thundersteel because for me nothing released since or before has come to the epic greatness of this release.

Reading this gave me a sense of a deja vu, a while age I remember detuned telling me the same thing you just posted about 'Thundersteel' and'Painkiller', while I understand you are having a hard time getting into their older albums I do hope you go back to those early Riot albums at some point, alot of gems on those early classics

It's a great disc but nowhere near as aggressive as "Painkiller".

I prefer Thundersteel to Painkiller by a large margin.

Songs like "Johnny's Back", "Bloodstreets", "Sign Of The Crimson Storm" and "Buried Alive" manage to strike a perfect balance between memorable melodies and kick ass jams. The vocalist could stand to lay off the helium now and again, but that's a small complaint.

Painkiller is a good album, but it really doesn't sound like Priest to me...the human metronome on drums derails it for me.

This album was amazing when it came out and has stood the test of time well. I love all eras of Riot.

Thundersteel is a great album. I need to dig this out and give it a spin.

Great album! I still prefer the Guy Speranza era, but they never had a bad album. Always solid.

Tall Tyrion wrote:

Great album! I still prefer the Guy Speranza era, but they never had a bad album. Always solid.

I agree.

Gilbert wrote:

What's your opinion on this album?

I've been listening to it repeatedly for the last three days. Splendid speed metal platter. The best by far

Great album, but ridiculously overrated.

It's the only Riot album I own.

Thundersteel is great ! Overrated ? Nonsense ! An underrated band to be sure though.

It's a great album, and since nobody has mentioned it yet, it has a cool album cover too!

I definitely prefer the earlier Riot material, but Thundersteel sounded pretty fresh in 1988.

The Rhett Forrester era is underrated I think, especially if you've ever heard that live EP with Loanshark on it...that was the song that turned me into a Riot fanatic in the first place. I got Restless Breed first, then bought Fire Down Under as my second Riot album.

The cover is amazing. I don't know why many people hate it.

Classic album by a classic band. Riot needs more love from the world.

Fat Freddy wrote:

It's the only Riot album I own.

You need to get Fire Down Under...

nevermore wrote:

Tall Tyrion wrote:

Great album! I still prefer the Guy Speranza era, but they never had a bad album. Always solid.

I agree.

me too.... He (Guy) was a great frontman onstage too (RIP) both Guy and Rhett

Fat Freddy wrote:

It's the only Riot album I own.

I'm one up on ya with on these guys. Thundersteel and Sons of Society are the only 2 I own. I prefer Thundersteel of the 2 though.

All I'm missing is Army of One.

Thundersteel is awesome!

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

It's the only Riot album I own.

I'm one up on ya with on these guys. Thundersteel and Sons of Society are the only 2 I own. I prefer Thundersteel of the 2 though.

I used to have their THE PRIVILEGE OF POWER disc too (follow up to THUNDERSTEEL) and that one didn't do much for me so I ditched it.

detuned wrote:

You need to get Fire Down Under...

Peeps have been telling me that for years, but I've never gotten around to digging any deeper into their stuff....