RIOT · Rock City (40 years anniversary) | BLACK LP

Black 180g vinyl in gatefold sleeve with printed inner sleeve. Special 40 years of Riot anniversary edition. Strictly limited to 300 copies.

Background information about ''

Let's be honest — some albums just hit different the moment the needle drops, and Riot's debut Rock City is exactly that kind of record. Originally unleashed in 1977, this is the sound of a band that arrived fully formed, armed with razor-sharp riffs and an almost arrogant swagger that most groups spend years chasing. Mark Reale's guitar work is the beating heart here — tight, melodic, and absolutely on fire — while Guy Speranza's vocals soar with that perfect blend of street-tough attitude and genuine soul. From the opening desperation of "Desperation" to the closing crunch of "This Is What I Get," there's not a single wasted moment. This isn't just another late-70s hard rock album; it's a statement of intent from a band that would go on to influence countless others in the heavy metal landscape.

What makes Rock City so special, even all these decades later, is how effortlessly it bridges the gap between hard rock grit and the emerging NWOBHM sound that was just around the corner. "Warrior" is an absolute anthem — the kind of track that makes you want to throw your fist in the air — while "Tokyo Rose" demonstrates a songwriting maturity that belies the band's newcomer status. The rhythm section of Jimmy Iommi on bass and Peter Bitelli on drums lays down a foundation that's both propulsive and groove-laden, giving Reale and Kouvaris all the room they need to weave their twin-guitar magic. This 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition on Metal Blade Records finally gives this classic the vinyl treatment it deserves, pressed on hefty 180-gram wax and housed in a gatefold sleeve that does justice to Steven Weiss's iconic cover art.

For fans of:
Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Scorpions, Saxon, Accept, Rainbow

Track listing

A1. Desperation
A2. Warrior
A3. Rock City
A4. Overdrive
B1. Angel
B2. Tokyo Rose
B3. Heart Of Fire
B4. Gypsy Queen
B5. This Is What I Get

Manufacturer: Metal Blade Records GmbH, Friedrichstr. 38, 73033 Göppingen, Germany, Contact: www.metalblade.com