Quiet Riot - Metal Health

Released in 1983

Metal Health was Quiet Riot's third album of many, but for all practical purposes it can also be considered the band's first and only commercially viable album. Before Metal Health arrived on the scene, Quiet Riot was a relatively unknown band – few people knew of their prior albums. Then all of a sudden the planets aligned and the metal gods showed their favor to this rebellious band, launching their third album into the public perception with a vengeance and becoming the first metal group to ever hit the Billboard number one pop position.

So is the album true metal brilliance? The first two tracks on their album (that just happened to be their greatest hits) certainly try to convince you of the band's genius: Metal Health and Cum on Feel The Noize. Both of the songs are unforgettable 80's hair metal classics and justify the price of the album alone. But alas, from there the band starts to falter.

Don't get me wrong, by no means is this a bad album, but unlike Def Leppard's masterpiece Hysteria, Metal Health just isn't as consistent. When it's great, it's unbelievably great, but once you get down from those highs and experience the other tracks you can't help but feel a little disappointed. Though there are other good rockers on the album, they don't achieve the same levels of infectious excitement.

Some of the album highlights are:

• Metal Health – MTV loved this song. Metal heads loved this song. And of course, the bean counters at Quiet Riot's record company loved this song. It's the irresistible, hard-riffing anthem that caught the nation's attention and propelled the band into the spotlight.
• Cum On Feel The Noize – Quiet Riot's second smash hit comes very close to matching, if not exceeding, the attraction of Metal Heath. What some fans don't realize is this anthem was actually a cover of Slade's original work… taken to a level that far surpassed the original!
• Slick Black Cadillac – Features fantastic guitar work and a chorus that just begs you to sing along.

There are other pleasing rockers on the album such as Breathless and Run for Cover, but unfortunately there are also a couple fillers such as Love's a Bitch and the instrumental Battle Axe. Nevertheless, most hair metal fans will find this album to be an enjoyable part of their musical collection.

Rating: 7 stars

Track List Metal Health Cum on Feel the Noize Don't Wanna Let You Go Slick Black Cadillac Love's a Bitch Breathless Run for Cover Battle Axe Let's Get Crazy Thunderbird

Additional Resources:

• Condition Critical Review
• QR III Review
• Quiet Riot Review

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