Another very strong release from this metal powerhouse
02/03/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It is a pleasure reviewing Riot CD's as one knows the material is going to be very strong due to the bands consistant output of high quality, carefully written music. "Nightbreaker" is no exception. This CD was released in 1994 everywhere except the USA. That is a shame and American metalheads have been deprived of a good one. The CD boasts possibly the most powerful drum mix I have ever heard. The production quality is utterly amazing; strong, pounding drums, but not compromising the guitar sound at all which is usually the case with huge drum mixes. "Soldier" gets things going in an uptempo Riot kind of way. The song contains good lyrics and fine singing by Mike DiMeo who's voice soars through this one. "Destiny" is another good song, if perhaps a bit too "happy" sounding for my taste. The band included a fine version of Deep Purple's "Burn" on this CD as well. The title track "Nightbreaker" ranks up there as one of Riots best songs. It is power metal defined. "Medicine Man", "Magic Maker", "I'm On The Run" and "Babylon" are slower but still powerful, showing a more bluesy oriented side of Riot. The band has re-recorded one of their most popular songs from the 1980's, "Outlaw", and the new recording does the song justice, although honestly I prefer the newer speed dominated Riot songs of the late 80's and 90's. My other favorite track on the CD is "Silent Scream". This features a great chorus and ranks up their with Riots best work. If there is a weak spot on the CD is is the ballad "In Your Eyes". While it's well written and well performed, it sounds out of place here. If Riot is going to do a ballad, it would serve them better to make it a power ballad in the vein of old Uli Roth-style Scorpions, ala "In Trance". Don't let this mild bit of constructive criticism detract you from adding this to your CD collection. Riots "Nightbreaker" is a superior release by a band that has everything: chops, song writing ability, talent, integrity and power. They have been a secret for too long in America. Let's hope they are not a secret much longer. Buy, and you will enjoy."
4.5 stars - an overlooked album from an overlooked band
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 09/08/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Originally released in 1994, Nightbreaker was the first Riot album following the shooting death of previous vocalist Rhett Forrester. Forrester left some big shoes to fill, but Mike DiMeo definitely came in strong. It didn't hurt that the band put together an extremely impressive collection of melodic rock songs for this album. This, at a time when melodic rock was most definitely not popular. Instead of going grunge, Riot came up with their strongest album since Thundersteel. Nightbreaker is a fist pumping, powerhouse collection of rock anthems. "Babylon," "Silent Scream," "Destiny" - honestly, there's not a weak song on the album.
Nightbreaker also includes a pair of high quality cover songs - Deep Purple's "Burn" and Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale." They also rerecorded the classic Riot track "Outlaw" to great effect. The original material on Nightbreaker is first rate, and these additions are just the icing on the cake.
Chalk up another high quality melodic hard rock/metal album from Riot. Nightbreaker really is one of this underrated band's better releases, and is at least as good as Thundersteel. If you're a fan of Riot, you'll definitely want to check it out. If you're not a fan yet, but enjoy melodic hard rock along the lines of Pretty Maids and Axel Rudi Pell, Nightbreaker ought to convince you!
NOTE: Metal Blade reissued Nightbreaker in 1999. Their version was not remastered, but it does include the demo song "Faded Hero", which was used as Mike DiMeo's audition for the band."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1