Metal Health Meltdown: The Riotous Rise of Quiet Riot

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When you think of the explosive energy and seismic impact of heavy metal, one name that undoubtedly springs to mind is none other than Quiet Riot!
These hard-hitting, leather-clad lads burst onto the scene like a proverbial wrecking ball with their groundbreaking album Metal Health in 1983. It was a time when hair was bigger, guitars were louder, and the party never stopped.
Metal Health was the game-changer that redefined the very essence of glam-infused metal.
Released on March 11, 1983, this album was a Molotov cocktail of electrifying riffs, anthemic choruses, and hair-raising solos.
But don’t just take our word for it; let’s dig deep into this classic, as it blasted its way to the top of the charts, ultimately going platinum and conquering hearts and airwaves alike.
The Unstoppable Force:
Quiet Riot had been kicking around the Sunset Strip for years, honing their craft and building a dedicated fanbase.
Still, it wasn’t until they recruited powerhouse vocalist Kevin DuBrow that the sparks really began to fly.
DuBrow’s razor-sharp vocals and larger-than-life stage presence injected new life into the band, propelling them from local legends to international sensations.
The Breakout Hits:
In the wild and woolly tapestry of rock ‘n’ roll lore, few stories are as outrageously colorful as the saga behind Quiet Riot‘s iconic 1983 single, “Cum On Feel the Noize.”
Quiet Riot’s decision to tackle Slade’s “Cum On Feel the Noize” was a bold one, to say the least. While the song had been a massive hit in the UK, it was relatively obscure in the United States.
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Yet, believe it or not, the band didn’t exactly want to record this rollicking anthem; they were coerced into it by none other than their mastermind producer, Spencer Proffer.
In a rendezvous with ClassicRockRevisited back in 2005, the late, great Kevin DuBrow, whose vocal prowess was instrumental in making the song a sensation, confessed, “I never loved that song.”
But, he admitted, they weren’t exactly penning Shakespearean sonnets either. “We were gullible, and I was an angry guy at the time,” he quipped with a sardonic grin.
Fast forward to a more recent interview with the inimitable Michael Aubrecht, and the ever-candid Frankie Banali dropped the mother of all truth bombs.
“The producer wanted us to record it,” Banali revealed, a mischievous glint in his eye. “I didn’t care one way or the other, but Kevin despised the song.” Slade, the originators of this rambunctious rocker, weren’t exactly on Quiet Riot’s playlist.
When they got to the studio, Banali recalled, he “went into the engineering room and told [Proffer] that we hadn’t worked on the song and that we were going to tank it. I said he might want to record it to be funny. He said, ‘Okay.’”
Banali remembered starting the song from the wrong place — leaving out a verse and chorus – but the band’s plan didn’t come to fruition.
“Kevin was waiting for it to fall apart, but we just kept playing,” he said. “It’s in my DNA to do the best job I can, so I vamped, and it turned out to work within the song. When we finished, the producer said it sounded great on the first take. The engineer happened to record it, and when we listened back, it worked. Kevin was furious.”
The title track, “Metal Health (Bang Your Head),” became the band’s other anthem and a bona fide classic.
Its infectious chant and thunderous guitar work by Carlos Cavazo catapulted the song into heavy rotation on MTV and rock radio stations across the nation. This headbanger’s delight cracked the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at a fairly impressive #31.
“…Noize,” however, would peak in Billboard’s Hot 100 at #5. Not bad for a terrible effort.
The Album:
Metal Health wasn’t just a one-hit wonder, though. The album, produced by Spencer Proffer, was a treasure trove of head-banging gems. From the unforgettable “Cum On Feel the Noize” (a Slade cover) to the relentless riffage of “Slick Black Cadillac” and the passionate balladry of “Thunderbird,” the record delivered the goods from start to finish.
Rockin’ the Charts:
Quiet Riot’s Metal Health didn’t just make waves; it made tidal waves. The album claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the first-ever heavy metal record to reach this milestone.
Talk about a paradigm shift!
It held that coveted position for an impressive week, all while leaving legions of fans in its thunderous wake.
The Legacy:
While Quiet Riot’s journey had its fair share of ups and downs, Metal Healthremains an indelible chapter in the annals of rock ‘n’ roll history.
It ignited the hair metal explosion of the ’80s, laying the groundwork for bands like Motley Crue, Ratt, and Poison to follow suit.
Metal Health stands tall as a testament to the enduring power of this era.
The album was just the beginning for a sound that would later be more pop-oriented and rule the world. It proved that you can’t keep a good band down, and it’s a testament to the magic that can happen when talent, determination, and a little bit of madness collide.
However much talent is subjective!
So, raise your devil horns high and give a nod of respect to the mighty Quiet Riot. Metal Health was more than an ordinary hard rock record; think of it as a cultural earthquake that still rattles our souls to this day.
In the immortal words of Kevin DuBrow, “Bang your head, metal health will drive you mad!”
Metal Health reviews:
“Quiet Riot’s ‘Metal Health’ is a landmark album that brought heavy metal to the mainstream. Fueled by Kevin DuBrow’s swaggering vocals and Carlos Cavazo’s fiery guitar riffs, the album is a non-stop barrage of anthems like ‘Cum On Feel the Noize’ and ‘Bang Your Head (Metal Health).’ It’s a quintessential 80s metal record that still holds up today.” – AllMusic
“‘Metal Health’ is a raw and energetic explosion of hard rock and heavy metal. Quiet Riot’s musicianship is top-notch, and the songwriting is surprisingly diverse, ranging from the party anthems to the more melodic ‘Love’s a Bitch.’ It’s a classic album that captures the spirit of the 80s metal scene.” – Sputnikmusic
“With ‘Metal Health,’ Quiet Riot delivered a knockout punch to the music world. The album is a perfect blend of hard rock attitude, catchy hooks, and undeniable energy. It’s a timeless classic that continues to inspire and entertain metalheads of all ages.” – Rolling Stone