REVIEW: Quiet Riot – Terrified (1993)

scan_20170102QUIET RIOT – Terrified (1993 Moonstone)

Quiet Riot took the unusual step of firing their only original member, lead singer Kevin DuBrow, in 1987.  They soldiered on with new singer Paul Shortino and did a brief tour of Japan before calling it a day for the band.  Meanwhile, Kevin DuBrow was supposed to working on a new band called Little Women.

In 1991, various media were reporting that Kevin DuBrow and Carlos Cavazo had gotten back together in 1991 as a new band called Heat.  It was a quiet reunion for the singer and guitarist who had been estranged since DuBrow’s firing in 1987.  Within two years of forming Heat, the band had morphed into a new version of Quiet Riot, now featuring former drummer Frankie Banali and newcomer Kenny Hillary (RIP).

Terrified features 3/4 of the classic Metal Health lineup with only Rudy Sarzo being absent. (He’d join again later on Alive and Well). Like a mighty ship changing course in heavy waters, Terrified is a monstrous Quiet Riot CD, anchored by Cavazo’s newly heavy guitar playing and Banali’s inimitable thunder. The drum production on this album could be the best on any Quiet Riot disc, and up there with Banali’s sound with bands such as W.A.S.P.

Lots of winners on the Terrified: “Cold Day In Hell” boasts an angry 90s groove, but with the melodic sensibilities of Metal Health-era QR. “Loaded Gun” almost sounds like a Metal Health outtake, because it has a throwback vibe. Their cover of “Itchycoo Park” is the only acoustic song, a much needed respite before re-entering the fray on the storming title track.  Only a few filler tracks (in a row) almost derail the album, but soon we’re back on track with “Rude, Crude Mood”. It may be one of the worst lyrics that DuBrow’s ever written but the music sure rocks. “Little Angel” is fast but forgettable, and before long you’re into “Resurrection”, a six-minute instrumental tour-de-force. Banali and Cavazo take the helm on it with a shuddering riff, and they don’t let go until it’s fade out. An awesome track.

Quiet Riot’s career can be divided up into a number of phases.  In the 1970s, there was the Randy Rhoads era represented by two decent Japanese albums.  This was followed by the the so-called “classic era” of major label releases (Metal Health to QR) from 1983-1988.  Then there is the reunion era which runs from Terrified to Rehab (2006) and finally Kevin Dubrow’s death in 2007.  As a coda, Frankie Banali resurrected the name with a variety of lead singers and continues to tour and record.  Their last album was 2014’s 10 featuring lead singer Jizzy Pearl.  Terrified would stand as the best album of the reunion era, which they sadly struggled to equal on later releases like Down to the Bone.

Worth the investment.

4/5 stars

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22 comments

        1. And then you have other musicians like bassist Tony Franklin — he played on a whole album — but he was always specified as a “special guest”. (It was obvious a musician of his stature would never “join” Quiet Riot.)

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        2. Where we ran into problems on the Wikipedia page where the band didn’t want a musician listed as a member. However the band had put out a press statement specifically stating that this guy had JOINED the band. He lasted one rehearsal and split. But…the band put out a statement saying they had a new member. So…you can’t just erase that from history as if it never happened. You can say he was there for one rehearsal, but you gotta list him as a member.

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  3. Seen them on the 1996 QR Greatest Hits tour (I reviewed ) that featured Banali/Cavazo /Dubrow and some un known on bass…no idea who the due was….

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    1. It’s not Metal Health but it’s the closest they’ve been to that appeal. I’d say it’s a winner at the right price. And you know me — I’ve taken a lot of crap in these parts for trashing various Quiet Riot albums.

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  7. I really like this one, its got fun zeppliny vibes on the longer mid paced ones, and the quicker fast ones are Metal Health-esque a bit. Plus I just like that voice, those guitars etc.

    I can see how at the time having to sit through the third and fourth major label albums might’ve soured people for years and this wasnt a good enough comeback or whatever, but for me who’s only ever known the whole history already having happened, this is good enough.

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    1. Awesome! Glad you dug it. And I agree. If you’re only looking for the popular stuff, then it won’t help you. But for those who know QR and their sound, this is a satisfying buy!

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      1. Annoyingly, I couldnt find the real one, and had to buy a weird reissue called ‘Cold Day In Hell’ with odd generic rock cd cover art. Like, it looked like a gas-station 100 greatest dad rock songs type of album cover.

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