I may never be able to get to grips with the album covers this band opts for, reminding me of mid-'90s rock, but their sound is an instant success. These guys have been around a while, and this slab has been considered one of, if not their best opus, opening with the rip-roaring 'Swords & Tequila', this is all-out metal, snappy, sharp and fizzing, Guy Speranza's enigmatic howls and wails riding on the waves of superb guitar licks, aching grooves and ten free-burning cuts. Classic heavy rock which once again failed to attract the masses, but let's face it, it's too cool anyway for the major labels. 'Feel The Same' struts through the darkness, building into an orgasmic Zeppish groove, never sounding dated, always maintaining the magic. I admit to being introduced to this band rather late, but I always recall the album covers which probably put me off at the time, but once lost in their maze of hot grooves, I can't get enough. The name Riot just about sums up the nature of the band, giving us an almost British inspired platter of cool as steel rock 'n' roll, timeless in its soul, and rendering the likes of Whitesnake as lifeless in comparison. Gargantuan yet effortlessly cool. Cutting edge American rock needing not the aid of lipstick and ego to bolster its strut. 'Fire Down Under' was born beautiful..
8.5/10
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