Customer Reviews

Fire Down Under (Reis)

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It might be hard to tell younger generations of metalheads how brilliant and innovative "Fire Down Under" was upon its release. At the time, "True" metal came from over the pond,in the form of JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, SAXON and MOTORHEAD. American made "metal" meant, at the time, VAN HALEN, FOREIGNER and JOURNEY! Not that these bands were bad, but,despite their rocking musical delivery, they were a far cry from the blood & guts rock style of their british counterparts. Enter RIOT, a new york metal band that had a sonic attack more akin to that of the then fledging NEW WAVE OF BRITISH HEAVY METAL. RIOT had already released 2 albums, "Rock City" and "Narita" which showed much promise but lacked consistence. Their 3rd release, "Fire Down Under" finally solidified that promise, making it one of the most revered metal albums ever. From the bone crunching, yet clear production, to the top notch writing abilities of the band, RIOT showed american (and worldwide audiences) that they could rock even harder than the british. "Swords & Tequila" opens the album with a blast; the type of metal that passed unheard during the glam metal 80's and that would become a major influence to rising thrash and power metal bands. The title track burns even hotter and the list goes on; "Fire Down Under" is that rare case where there is not one single filler song. Every song on this album ROCKS! The CD includes some bonus tracks that, somehow, lack the spark that the rest of the album has, but are worthy nontheless. "Altar Of The King", "Run For Your Life", "Lies", "Outlaw", etc...it's hard for me to explain in words how monumental this album is. For metal heads searching for that "vintage" sound (albeit, european sounding metal!), look no further; "Fire Down Under" is probably one of the hardest metal albums done by an American band in the early 80's (before the Thrash explosion, of course!). Buy or DIE!!!

As many people have already stated, this is one of the best metal albums ever made. This version also has the added bonus of having five bonus tracks. This version is badly mixed, though. I got this cd, and as much as I love this album, I had a hard time listening to it because of the sound quality. Fortunately, I found out on the Riot website that the release of this album by Metal Blade has the original mixes from the original tapes. I got that one, and it sounds incredible. It has three less bonus tracks than this version, but it's the original ten songs that I really want to have, and they sound so much better on the Metal Blade version.

Bottom line: if you like metal, your collection is incomplete without this masterpiece -- but get the Metal Blade release.

One of the best hard rock albums every recorded. Every song is like a greatest hits album. Can't recommend this enough of fans
of good hard rock bands such as Y&T, Thin Lizzy, UFO etc. Some
call this band a thrash band but I never thought of them as that.
It's just very good melodic fast hard rock. It's the best Riot
album they ever made. Too bad Guy Sperenza didn't stay with them longer because I feel they were peaking when they made this.
If you never heard it you don't know what your missing.

When I had this album back in the day, I thought it was pretty good, and it's only gotten better with time. What here is not to love? The two guitars mesh and roar like nobody else. Guy Speranza has one of the best howls I've ever heard, and pretty good lyrics, too. The rhythm section is thunder. And every song here is great. If the speed blast of the title track doesn't rip your ears off, you don't have ears to rip. They do a good change of pace with a couple of good ballad-like tracks, "Feel the Same" and "No Lies". Likewise, "Altar of the King" opens with a really nice instrumental before blasting your head off. It's really hard to describe their sound, because their influences aren't obvious. If you can think of Montrose's "Space Station #5" and "I Got the Fire", you're on the right track: adrenalized speedfests. By the same token, Sammy Hagar might be the best comparison for Guy Speranza's voice, though Speranza is both tougher-sounding and more expressive. No other band really had their guitar sound: the combination of Mark Reale's Les Paul with Rick Ventura's bright-sounding Strat makes terrific use of the difference in sound between the two instruments. And tight! The playing is flawlessly crisp, which it needs to be at these speeds. Any band can play loud, but few can really be powerful. Many bands can play fast, but few have this kind of energy. Flaws? Well, "Outlaw" goes on a little bit too long. And the album ends. Other than that, you'd have to go to vintage Sabbath to hear a better metal album.

I had the cassette back in the early 80's, along with Restless Breed and Live E.P. This was my pre-Metallica rock, when after this I needed something harder. But these old Riot CD's, whether it was Guy or Rhett (R.I.P.) singing, was the way hard rock was meant to be. Very heavy in a melodic kind of way, with singing you can understand and sing along with. Since I always loved these guys, I now decided was the time to get these cassettes on CD's, so I can relive the old days of great music forever. Get the newer RIOT cd's also, they never go out of style.

Very rarely does an album immediately(1st listen) blow my mind. When I first heard RIOT-"Fire Down Under" I was younger and a ritualistic pothead. I'll never forget sitting back, stoned, and hearing 'Outlaw' for the first time. 'Outlaw' was only the 4th track on "Fire Down Under", but I already sensed this album(back then I had it on vinyl) would be worn out (from over-playing) within a few months. Luckily for the vinyl, I got the album on cassette(so I could play air-guitar while driving), and eventually CD, so the record was spared. But in all sincerity, if you have never heard Riot, or are considering buying a Riot album, start with "Fire Down Under". With a little green and an open mind, you'll soon be humming every track off this incredible album!!! A true metal classic for the ages...Swords and Tequila, keep on carryin' through the night as a constant reminder of the power of well crafted hard rock...
Luckily, Riot blessed us with many other great albums(despite vocalist changes and the difficulty in getting Riot's 2nd album "Narita" on CD for under $50)and still remain one of my ALL-TIME favorite rock groups in general. If you're a metal/hard rock/stoner rock/fan, DO NOT PASS UP "Fire Down Under"!!! It's mandatory metal and a great musical drug for all ages.

First the testimonial- I have owned the record, the tape, and now the CD. These native New York rockers deserved much success and fame but were denied that, and by their record company (despite fiercely loyal fan base). The liner notes to the CD tell you about the horrible ordeal with making it in the US record biz. Riot eventually opted to move to Japan, where they found not only adulating fans, but the opportunity to record and have a successful career away from record company leaches.

ALL of these songs really rock, have good riffs and guitar work, and have vocals to match. There is a raw driving urgency to them that is unmistakable, and quite uncommon as well.

"Swords and Tequila", "Fire Down Under", "Alter of the King" top the list, but there is nothing bad on this disc.

In my opinion, Fire Down Under is the best of their offerings from the period, but Narita also had a lot to offer. Check "Fire down under" first.

If you are into hard rock bordering on metal this will not disappoint, and will not be the run of the mill 80's stuff.

Listen to me: all these reviews can't be wrong! This is truly a vicious album, every tune ripping holes in the wall. Swords and Tequila, Outlaw, Altar of the King, etc, etc, etc. Why didn't this band get more support? In my opinion this album is better than anything Metallica will EVER put out. Metallica wishes they played like this! If you're stranded on a desert island and can only bring 6 albums bring Van Halen I, Back in Black, Highway to Hell, Appetite for Destruction, Black Tiger by Y&T, and this incredible album. Riot is the greatest band no one's ever heard of. BUY THIS ALBUM!

This was what heavy metal was like before Def Leppard put out Pyromania and Ratt emerged. Heavy, great solos aggression and excellent songs. Once the mainstream caught on, it neutered the aggression and became posing. Listen to this album and you'll understand why metal caught on in the first place. Not a bad cut on the entire album. This album and Restless And Wild (not Balls To The Wall) by Accept show how brilliant early 80s metal can be.

This is really good metal album. Dont confuse this with the hair band [...] from MTVs metal alumnus. It's nowhere near the Def Leppard/ Bon Jovi shlop. And while its not quite as dark as Sabbath or Priest I'd still put this in the metal catagory.
The album kicks off with Swords And Tequila - ( great song ) and keeps building steam. Other standout are the title track , Outlaw , Dont Hold Back and Run For Your Life. The centerpiece of the album is Alter Of The King. The whole album is worth buying for for this song alone. This is metal back when it was an up and comming genre... give it a listen.