Album of the week#17(with a guest-host)/RIOT with FIRE DOWN UNDER.

[Niels (Mod)]

As you maybe know allready, I'm guest-hosting AOTW this week, like RJhog was a guest-host on VOTW. The album is one of my alltime-favorite Heavy Rock albums, that I bought around the time it was released.

 

And by the way, what a great year 1981 was with many great albums like this one, High'n'dry(Def Leppard), Killers(Iron Maiden), Point of Entry(Judas Priest) and Fair Warning(Van Halen).

 

 

1. Swords & Tequila - 3:18 (Speranza, Reale)
2. Fire Down Under - 2:31 (Speranza, Lemming)
3. Feel The Same - 4:53 (Ventura)
4. Outlaw - 4:21 (Speranza, Reale)
5. Don't Bring Me Down - 3:00 (Speranza. Reale, Ventura, Lemming, Slavin)
6. Don't Hold Back - 3:15 (Speranza, Reale)
7. Altar Of The King - 4:45 (Speranza, Reale)
8. No Lies - 4:19 (Ventura)
9. Run For Your Life - 3:16 (Speranza, Reale)
10. Flashbacks - 4:00 (Speranza, Reale, Ventura, Slavin, Lemming)
Bonus Tracks:
11. Misty Morning Rain - 3:09 (Speranza)
12. You're All I Need Tonight - 2:58 (Speranza, Ventura)

 

Band:

 

Mark Reale - Guitar
Rick Ventura - Guitar
Guy Speranza - Vocals
Sandy Slavin - Drums
Kip Lemming - Bass

 

 

Fire Down Under is the third album by RIOT and was released febuary 9th, 1981.

In my opinion, it's one of the great Heavy Rock releases of all time, together with fx. High'n'Dry, the first two Iron Maiden-albums, British Steel and High Voltage.

 

From All Music Guide:

Unquestionably the best offering from New York's Riot, Fire Down Under is considered by many to be an early-'80s metal classic. After two marginally successful LPs, 1977's Rock City and 1979's Narita, bandleader Mark Reale worked out all the kinks in Riot's membership and musical delivery, and the results are dramatic. The songs are tight and memorable, the guitars are flashy, and the production is aggressive and slick on this 1981 collection. The group's best and most recognizable tune, "Swords & Tequila," kicks off Fire Down Under with an astonishing power surge. Other standouts include the fast-paced title track, "Outlaw," and "Don't Bring Me Down." The intensity then lets up as some bland numbers dampen the second half of Fire Down Under. But despite a few lesser cuts, this effort qualifies as one of the top metal discs of 1981, and the only Riot recording that competes with mainstays from the likes of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and (early) Def Leppard.

 

Best tracks:

 

Swords & Tequila
Fire Down Under
Outlaw
Altar of the King

 

Hidden Gem:

 

Altar of the King

 

Better avoid the track:

 

Flashbacks (that's nothing but noise)

 

If you don't allready own this, it's a must-have.

 

You can hear the whole album here:

 

http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/4c2d3a15e9dcaf6ad7c74de2e9a82255

[RJhog (Admin)]

Cool Niels...I see we were all wrong. I'm glad it's something I've never heard before. I will be listening soon and you know I'll let you know what I think.

[Scott]

Niels, this is my first time hearing this. In all honesty, the album cover doesnt scream "Buy Me" like some do. And though Ive always heard good things about this album, Ive never gotten over the 'Dont judge a book by its cover" factor. Well, I was wrong! The cover is still awful, but the insides are really very very good. Ive listend to the track 'No Lies' like three times in a row, what a fantastic track, easily my favorite. The only filler is the last track, You're All I Need Tonight, but everything else is A1...

Great Post!!!

[RJhog (Admin)]

I pretty much agree with Scott, except I have a different favorite. I think everything, other than Flashbacks is very decent. I even think the bonus tracks (which usually are worthless) are pretty good. My favorite is easily "Feel The Same". I noticed it's not in your "best tracks" section either, but I think it's outstanding.

One thing I noticed was the fantastic guitar playing. Somebody was/is very good.

And I totally agree with Scott on the album cover. That thing is hideous. Awful. You gotta be kiddin' me. Terrible. Catch my drift?

Nice post Niels and good job on guest hosting AOTW. Now it's off to NMC for Scott's latest.

[Jon]

This is something I haven't heard in YEARS. Good pick Niels! And I think the album cover is awwwww....cute!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Why does that not surprise me?

[Niels (Mod)]

I'm glad, you all liked the album.

I think they tried to have some kind of mascot like Iron Maiden's Eddie, but it did'nt work quite as good.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Wow! Somebody actually thought that would work?

[Gordon Williams]

Going through the back catalog today, and even though I've had this since the 80's, I still listened. Definitely a classic to me. This has been on high rotation forever, and it still is. Enjoy it every time I listen. This is definitely an "under-appreciated" classic rocker. And I too like the bonus tracks as well.