It is almost impossible to overestimate the importance of Riot for the evolution of American heavy metal. The New Yorkers form the bridge between the first generation of American hard rock and metal bands from the early to mid-1970s (Blue Öyster Cult, Kiss and Van Halen) and the new wave of the late 1970s/early 1980s (led by Canadian proto-speed metallers Anvil and Exciter).
Like its two predecessors, "Archives Vol.3" once again contains a large number of unreleased recordings from the depths of the Riot archive. The focus here is on the Mark III phase with the line-up of Tony Moore (vocals), Mark Reale (guitar), Don Van Stavern (bass) and Bobby Jarzombek (drums).
The third part of the archive series offers interesting demo recordings of the "Thundersteel" album (including the title track, "Fight Or Fall", "Sign Of The Crimson Storm", "Buried Alive", "Flight Of The Warrior" and the classic "Johnny's Back") as well as a foretaste of the 1990 album "The Privilege Of Power" (including "On Your Knees", "Metal Soldiers" and "Killer").
01 Thundersteel 02 Fight Or Fall 03 Sign Of The Crimson Storm 04 Run For Your Life 05 Buried Alive Intro 06 Johnny's Back 07 Warrior 08 A Place Called Tomorrow 09 Exciter 10 When Lights Go Down 11 Liar 12 Killer
13 On Your Knees 14 Metal Soldiers 15 Killer (instrumental) 16 Keyboard Instrumental
Disc 2
01 Fight Or Fall 02 Fire Down Under 03 Sign Of The Crimson Storm 04 On Wings Of Eagles 05 Buried Alive (tell Tale Heart) 06 Flight Of The Warrior 07 Outlaw 08 Bloodstreets 09 Run For Your Life 10 Drum Solo 11 Johnny's Back 12 Swords And Tequila 13 Guitar Solo 14 Thundersteel