The Privilege of Power is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Riot. It was more experimental than their previous work, being an attempt at a concept album and also including a horn section on some of the tracks.

"Racing with the Devil on a Spanish Highway" is a cover of an Al Di Meola instrumental track from the album Elegant Gypsy (1977). "Killer" is about convicted killer Jeffrey R. MacDonald and features a guest vocal appearance by Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen).

The album was re-issued in 2003 by Collectables Records with slightly amended artwork and re-issued on 180g vinyl as a 2-LP set with Thundersteel by SPV on February 25, 2013.

Critical reception

In 2005, The Privilege of Power was ranked number 354 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.

Track listing

Personnel

Band members

• Tony Moore – vocals

• Mark Reale – guitars, producer

• Don Van Stavern – bass

• Bobby Jarzombek – drums

Additional musicians

• Tower of Power horn section: Greg Adams, Emilio Castillio, Steve Kupka, Lee Thornburg, Steve Gross

• Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Dave Bargeron, Ron Cuber, Lawrence Feldman – horn section

• James 'Blood' Ulmer – guitar

• G. E. Smith – guitar

• T. M. Stevens – bass

• Joe Lynn Turner – vocals on "Killer"

• Bob Held – bass on "Little Miss Death"

Production

• Steve Loeb – producer, executive producer

• Vince Perazzo – executive producer

• Rod Hui – producer, engineer, mixing

• Nick Sansano, Chris Shaw, Kirk Yano – engineers

• Dan Wood, Dave Swanson, Jason Vogel, Kenny Almestica, Glenn Zimet – assistant engineers

References