I was disappointed to learn that 'Tony Moore' didn't feature on this album, as I especially liked his previous work with 'Riot'. Fortunately his replacement 'Mike DiMeo' is another great melodious vocalist and doesn't disappoint, other than that it's business as usual for the boys, as they churn out another underrated album of cracking 'Melodic Metal'.

This release is heaving with quality and the riff driven opener 'Soldier' is no exception, with its great energetic rhythm and new boy 'Mike Dimeo' giving the excellent lyrics credit. Even better though, is the mesmerising thumper 'Destiny', with the twin guitar attack really hitting the chords on this shred heavy gem. Included are two covers, 'Procol Harum's classic 'Whiter Shade of Pale', which was probably best left alone, as this version doesn't improve on the original and I sense 'Riot' don't seem particularly comfortable playing it. The other cover however is absolutely brilliant, 'Deep Purple's' 'Burn', is a crunching version with 'Mark Reale' and 'Mike Flyntz' shredding like they'd been playing it for years, 'Mike DiMeo' sounds just as good as 'David Coverdale' and the rhythm section is just time keeping bliss. I played this version to a friend of mine, who is a big 'Purple' fan and he told me "hands down" this was the best version he had ever heard. Less potent is the balladsy 'In your Eyes', its well executed, but the drop down in pace from the blistering first three tracks leaves me a bit disappointed. Back on target is 'Night Breaker' which is the heaviest track present, a great blazer, with gutsy lyrics and hearty chorus, again the guitaring is just so sweet, almost 'Malmsteen' style in approach. Next up is the catchy 'Medicine Man', simplistic in approach, but another great melodic rocker, with nice pace changes and strong chorus. 'Silent Scream' has a lot of potential, but doesn't quite deliver, the aggressive / subtle structuring sounds too disjointed for my liking, 'Bobby Jarzombek's' furious drumming should be complimented however. The best 'Riot' written track of the album has to go to the superb plodder 'Magic Maker', pretty basic, but so damn catchy, with strong chorus and irresistible grooving rhythm, also checkout the shredding guitar solos- Top drawer. The strafing 'Babylon' features more great grooving guitar work, but lyrically isn't one of the strongest tracks, although 'Mike DiMeo's' passionate vocals carry it for me. The intro to 'Outlaw' has a superb moody "Wild West" feel and builds into yet another top rocker, more atmospheric than most featured, but with a sweet flowing rhythm that holds its own. Closing the album is a bonus track titled 'Faded Hero' that was originally used as part of vocalist 'Mike DiMeo's' audition for the band, a really solid building number, displaying why he was the man to fill 'Tony Moore's' shoes.

If you like 'Melodic Metal' and have never heard 'Riot' before, you owe it to yourself to own at least one of their albums and this release makes for a good starting place.