Rhett Forrester - Even The Score (1988)

Rhett Forrester has the sort of metal throat that can strip paint and light fires - the former Riot frontman, who sadly passed away a few years ago, was one talented vocalist. His 'Even The Score' opus was pretty basic in its approach, but bolstered by those fantastic screams that gave the music an extra beefy, animalistic edge - just check out the meaty wail which opens the sultry, melodic yet blazing 'Burning Heart.' 'Leading Me On' is equally provocative with its simmering entrance, the track is typical of late '80s metal, but this guy really does nail it with those vocals, because whilst so many lion-haired bands may have failed to have lived up to their manes, Forrester makes sure that his metal is macho beyod the appearance. A highly enjoyable slab of melodic metal. If you dig stuff like Thrasher (who he worked with), and oter driving metal then this is one worth hearing, and for added sauce the album features some killer guitar too. 7/10