Born in America, released on October 14, 1983, is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Riot and the second album to feature Rhett Forrester on vocals. Following the success and energy of Restless Breed, this album continued to showcase Forrester’s gritty and powerful voice, while exploring a hard rock and melodic heavy metal direction.
This period in Riot’s history was transitional. The lineup — Forrester, Mark Reale, Rick Ventura, Kip Leming, and Sandy Slavin — had stabilized for over a year, allowing the band to refine their sound and experiment with more focused, yet diverse, compositions. Compared to the previous album, Born in America leans into tighter song structures, raw riffs, and a balance of aggression and melody reflective of early ’80s metal trends.
The album was recorded at Greene Street Recording in New York City, produced by Steve Loeb with engineering and mixing handled by Rod Hui, and mastered by Howie Weinberg. The production strikes a balance between polished sound and a live, gritty feel, emphasizing twin-guitar harmonies, driving rhythm, and Forrester’s commanding vocals.
Released in the U.S. via Quality Records and in Europe through ZYX Music, the album combines heavy metal foundations with hard rock accessibility, occasionally incorporating bluesy or groove-based elements.
This lineup, though short-lived, gave the album its distinctive sound: a combination of American heavy metal intensity with blues-tinged hard rock sensibilities, reflecting Riot’s adaptability in the early ’80s.
The album contains 10 tracks, each with its own character:
“Born in America” – The opening track and album title song. Sharp riffs and a rallying chorus make it a high-energy anthem, immediately asserting the band’s presence and Forrester’s vocal power.
“You Burn in Me” – Fast-paced and aggressive, with raw riffs and gritty vocals. One of the heaviest tracks on the album, it showcases Riot’s ability to combine emotion and intensity.
“Wings of Fire” – Melodic and dramatic, featuring harmonized guitars and a soaring chorus. It balances the album’s heavier moments with melody and structure.
“Running from the Law” – Groove-driven and rebellious, with rhythmic riffs and expressive vocals. This track emphasizes attitude and dynamic energy.
“Devil Woman” – A cover, reimagined with Riot’s signature heavy metal sound. It merges classic rock elements with the band’s intensity, adding variety to the album.
“Vigilante Killer” – Short, sharp, and intense. This riff-driven track is aggressive and direct, emphasizing the heavier side of Riot.
“Heavy Metal Machine” – A pure celebration of metal, with driving rhythms, energetic guitars, and anthemic choruses — a statement piece for the band’s identity.
“Where Soldiers Rule” – Slightly more melodic, with a serious lyrical theme and dynamic instrumentation. It contrasts with the aggressive tracks, adding depth to the album.
“Gunfighter” – Dark, brooding, and riff-heavy. The track evokes tension and drama, blending heaviness with melodic sensibility.
“Promised Land” – The closing track offers a more reflective and melodic note, balancing the album’s intensity and leaving a lasting impression.
Born in America captures Riot during a period of both stability and transition. Rhett Forrester’s commanding vocals gave the band a raw edge and emotional depth, while the album as a whole demonstrates Riot’s willingness to blend heavy metal aggression with melody, groove, and hard rock influences.
As the final studio album for this particular lineup, it marks the end of an era, yet it remains a vital record in the band’s discography. While not as commercially celebrated as some earlier releases, Born in America is appreciated by fans for its honest energy, strong songwriting, and vocal intensity, representing a band unafraid to evolve while staying true to its metal roots.
Mark Reale notes
Borni in America was the second album recorded with vocalist Rhett Forrester and the first recorded after our departure from Electra records. A number of the songs such as'runing from the law' and 'gun fighter' were written in Texas and arranged with Texas musicians Steve Cooper-vocals, Dave Mclain-drums and Don Van Stavern on bass, befor bringing the songs back to New York to record with Riot. Dave later wne on to play withs Sacred Reich and Machine Head. Of course Don went to record with Riot Thundersteel 1988 and Privilage of power 1989. These were also musician formed the band Narita wiht after the temporary break up of Riot at the end of the Born in America tour. Part of the Borni in America tour was support of Kiss and Vandenberg.Riot went over very well, especially in place like Texas and California.Along with Rhetts brash streetwis persona and bluesy hard rock delivery, Riot music and East coast image contrasted the growing glam rock scene in southern America. We parted company with guitarist Rick Ventura. He was replaced by Texas guiar player Gerard Travino.It was a very exciting but grueling tour, so i decided to tak break for a while. After spending some time in Texas and a brife reunion tour on the west coast in 1986 i returned to New York and reformed Riot wth new line up!
Mark Reale 1999
