The first two Rods albums were really good, although listening to the first one recently it did sound quite dated. This album was released after their third album, In The Raw, in ’83. You can’t beat a three-piece band, and Live, this band were hot.
You would be forgiven listening to opening track, I Live For Rock N Roll, that you were listening to Kiss, as this song is an absolute ringer. Next track, Hellbound, with the main riff nicked from Judas Priest, but I do like the groove of the track. Born To Rock is a good old stomper with a great solo. I’m all for guitar solos when they are creative and go somewhere, but Feinstein’s solo piece here is just noise. It flows into Speed Demon, and ironically, his solo here is sharp and to the point.
Flipping the wax over we get opening track, Hurricane, and without a doubt the best track and performance on the album. Devils Child follows and sees bass player Gary Bordonaro handle the vocals – I always thought he had the best voice in the band. Rabid Thunder is drum solo time, and the point where everyone usually goes to the bar. The album closes out with Cold Sweat And Blood, and it’s a return to the Kiss style stomper of the first track. Nine tracks on the album, two of which are solo spots. If this were a double album I get it, but I would have appreciated a couple of songs instead.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
