Review Summary: Regaining the flame, one step at a time.
Three years, three full length albums, one live EP. This is what Riot accomplished in the first half of the 80s, from 1981 to 1983, all while facing the change of a singer. Luckily, save for former vocalist Guy Speranza's departure, Riot's current line-up held up well and the band managed to release
Born in America the year following the predecessor
Restless Breed. Yet again, Steve Loeb worked hard to push the band forward, financing the record that would have been later published on Quality Records.
Through their fifth full length, Riot are still struggling with the dirtier hard rock sound brought in when Forrester joined the band. However, the band now seems to have regained at least a part of the flame owned during the year with Speranza, which also translates in a more metallic edge. Gone are the tedious tracks found mainly in
Restless Breed's second side, and gone are Forrester's awkward shouts. While still being made of fairly simple structures, each track from
Born in America has something to offer.
Actually, the opening title track is perhaps the weakest offering, due to a monotonous chorus and an undeniable 'Outlaw' feel just before it. While the record never manages to stabilize itself on an equal level of quality, things get better quickly. Imperious riffing opens "You Burn In Me" only to lead to one of the record's biggest hooks, Forrester's courtesy. "Heavy Metal Machine" brings the attention back to the sharp guitar playing that would not feel out of place on
Fire Down Under. Then, stealing the title of best track on the record is "Wings of Fire", featuring a calm opening section (similarly to the old "Altar Of The King") and all of the characteristics of the tracks described above. Shining in the last part of the record is the galloping "Where Soldier Rules", a clear ancestor of
Thundersteel's sound.
Furthermore, the fact that the rest may not be on the same level of the highlights does not preclude the other tracks from being valid. Contrary to
Restless Breed, Riot's fifth fatigue does in fact maintain a certain degree of solidity throughout its running time and, weirdly enough, its by far weakest moments are the record's opening and closing tracks. Apart from that, one of the main flaws may be the production. Far from the glories of
Fire Down Under, it tends to bury Forrester's vocals too much. Also, while not as adventurous as on the aforementioned record, Leming's bass playing is another victim of the mix.
Born in America is not only the band's second and last full length with Rhett Forrester on vocal duties, it also symbolizes the end of Riot's early phase. The band would in fact break up after this record due to the inability of reaching true success, only to be resurrected with the release of 1988's
Thundersteel after various attempts by founder and lead guitarist Mark Reale, the only residual of
Born in America's line-up.
