QUIET RIOT – Metal Health/Condition Critical
Rock Candy Records
Formed in the early 70s, Quiet Riot featured guitarist Randy Rhodes, and the band split when Rhodes joined Ozzy Osbourne. Reforming in the early 80s, Metal Health would be the band’s 3rd album. Originally released in 1983, the opening title track epitomised American metal of the era and proved incredibly popular (the album sold 6 million). Singer Kevin DuBrow had power and a slight roughness – something that suited the cover of Slade’s Cum On Feel The Noise perfectly. This was also a massive hit – Quiet Riot were the metal band of 1983 in the US for sure.
Don’t Want To Let You Go was a solid, chunky and slightly more restrained track in comparison, but a damn good melody and a more commercial edge. Carkis Cavazo’s guitar work is good, and Rudy Sarzo’s bass is solid too. Worth noting that drummer Frankie Banali would later play with WASP.
The overall feel is a touch of 70s glam that would influences 80s glam in a raw, rough and just plain metal fashion.
Danger Zone is an extra track, as a 4 tracks from the Japanese only Live Riot EP.
The band’s 1984 album Condition Critical, with the same line-up, continues in similar fashion and is, if anything, a little stronger. But it’s more of a grower, not receiving the acclaim or sales of the previous album at the time. Some blistering guitar work on another Slade cover, Mama Weer All Crazee Now stands out.
Party All Night typifies the sound mixing rough metal, glam and a commercial touch. Classic American party metal sound. Stomp Your Hands Clap Your Feet shows this too, a stomper indeed.
The title track is more mature, slower and chunkier too.
No bonus tracks on this one, but both albums come with the usual extensive sleevenotes with band involvement.
If you only buy two Quiet Riot albums these two are a safe bet.
Both ****
Joe Geesin
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PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
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12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
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