“Thundersteel” by the band RIOT, one of the best heavy metal albums of the 1980s.

American band RIOT's “Thundersteel” is considered one of the best heavy metal albums of the 1980s.

This is the band's sixth studio album, released after a period of inactivity in the middle of the decade.

The lineup of “Thundersteel” is completely different from that of previous works, with guitarist Mark Reale being the only remaining original member.

The album was released in 1988 on seven-inch vinyl and cassette format, distributed by CBS Records in the United States and Canada, and by Epic Records in Europe.

After RIOT disbanded in 1984 and almost four years of hiatus, Mark Reale decided to reconstitute the band with new members. Recordings began in late 1987 at Greene St. Recording Studio in New York.

“Thundersteel” received very positive reviews from the specialized media, being catalogued by many as a power metal album.

AllMusic reviewer Brian O'Neill highlighted its sound, noting that the album incorporates elements of the metal of the time, fusing classic European styles reminiscent of Judas Priest, thrashing guitars and intense percussion, representative of the burgeoning underground thrash movement.

O'Neill gave it a 4.5 out of five star rating, stating that “Thundersteel” encapsulates everything that makes 1980s metal great, making it a treasured classic.