The second and final release with 'Rhett Forrester' at the helm and he impresses even more here than on his 'Riot' debut, with this superb gritty yet bluesy vocals really working well on the heavy tracks. Overall consistently heavier than the previous release 'Restless Breed' and more reminiscent of the classic 'Fire Down Under', in fact for '83 this is a pretty heavy album of quality Metal.

After an unusual broadcast style intro, the title track bursts out at you, although a simplistic approach is applied throughout, It's a catchy song, highlighting a powerful chorus, 'Rhett's' bluesy vocals and sweet Metallic guitar licks from 'Mark Reale' and 'Rick Ventura'. The passionately performed rocker 'You Burn in Me' follows and while there's few lyrics, the content is still strong and 'Rhett' is on superb form to deliver the lyrics with real conviction, to a great free flowing instrumental backdrop. The blueprint to 'Altar of the King' is put to good use again with 'Wings of Fire', after a subtle, slightly gothic style intro, the song assaults your speakers with an early Power Metal prototype, the rhythm work is relentless and the guitaring intricate and skilled to make for a great track. The quality continues with 'Running from the Law' a simplistic pulsating rocker, upheld by a sweetly flowing rhythm and choice solos and licks from the duel guitarists. Next up is a cover of 'Devil Woman', an unusual selection in my opinion, I don't like the original, but 'Riot' give it their touch of magic and turn it into a great moody Hard Rocker, 'Rhett' really makes the song, he turns in a splendid performance, working the lyrics to perfection. The pace is lifted further for 'Vigilante Killer' a high quality rugged chugger, while 'Heavy Metal Machine' is a brisk anthemic, fist-raiser and highlights sensational guitar work and instrumental break. The pace fails to letup with 'Where Soldiers Rule' a pulsating rocker, that's intelligently penned, passionately performed and thoroughly enjoyable. Ensuing in similar form is 'Gun Fighter' and taking a leaf out of the 'Iron Maiden' songbook, features a sublime galloping riff, while being braced with a strong chorus, simple yet decent lyrics and choice guitar licks. Finally we are gifted 'Promised Land', a great laid-back mid tempo rocker and while perhaps not the best choice for the last track, it flows sweetly throughout.

Another ultra consistent yet underrated 'Riot' album and definitely their best with 'Rhett', there's not a weak track present. 'Mark Reale' closed the first chapter of 'Riot' after the following tour, thankfully he reformed them in '86 and took a more Melodic Power Metal approach with the sensational 'Thundersteel'. Sadly 'Rhett's Forrester' was murdered on the 22nd of January 1994, another superb musician taken long before his time.