Riot’s Narita is a great example of an instrumental that just flat out rocks. None of your mellow interludes, atmospheric intros or virtuoso shredding here, just a brilliant band knocking out a banging tune. Named after a controversial Japanese airport, the construction of which provoked heated protests and riots from farmers and activists, 1979’s Narita is the title track of the band’s second album and also one of its most exciting songs: an energising mix of 70s US rock (Montrose, The Nuge) and the kind of charging attack and duelling guitars that would become synonymous with Maidenesque 80s metal. Presumably, vocalist Guy Speranza sat this one out because he couldn’t be arsed writing a song about an airport but his superb voice isn’t missed here as the music is so dynamic and catchy. The New Yorkers would become one of rock’s mythic coulda/shoulda bands, which is a shame. As you can hear from Narita, Riot deserved to take off.
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
That is a brilliant instrumental!
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Criminally underrated band.
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Man … that cover. I own this and almost dare not look at the cover when I play it – the whole sumo seal shitting on skulls vibe …
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Does he know a plane is about to crash into him? That’s what I want to know.
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Weren’t Riot great? their debut just has the edge for me though.
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Yeah they’re brill. 49er, Kick Down The Walls and Road Racin give this the edge for me. But the first three albums are all killer.
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The track Rock City … wow! I’m just listening to it again now.
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And Warrior is phenomenal.
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Crom, yes!
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Also does he shave the rest of his body, or just let his head fur grow out naturally?
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He’s naturally baby smooth except for his furry head I think.
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Don’t seals have pubes? I defer to your superior knowledge of the subject.
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No one knows for sure. Anyone that sees his genitals has to die. Hence the skulls.
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Why didn’t they just tell us that on the sleeve notes? probably why they never quite made it.
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