The remaining members of legendary metal pioneers RIOT are back and are ready to unleash the follow up to 2011’s reunion record ‘Immortal Soul’. They are ready to unleash power metal at its finest. They are ready to unleash music in the great RIOT tradition that you’ve come to know and love. RIOT V is ready to ‘UNLEASH THE FIRE!’ The long anticipated disc is slated for an October release via Spv/ Steamhammer. This marks the first release from the band without the late great founding guitarist Mark Reale who passed away in early 2012 and was limited on his participation on Immortal Soul because of his health issues. The band was encouraged at the request of Mark and the Reale estate to forge ahead in his honor and will dedicate this new offering to him. The album promises to please fans of the ‘Thundersteel’ era of RIOT as main song writer and long time Reale music collaborator Don Van Stavern does much of the writing as he did on ‘Thundersteel’ and ‘The Privilege of Power’.DVSis joined by long time RIOT band mate, song writer and Reales guitar partner of over 20 years Mike Flyntz to create what they feel is something they are proud to call a RIOT record and Reale would have thought that as well. RIOT has a tumultuous history of member, label and management changes throughout the bands 30 plus year career but one things for sure, a bands longevity is through good music and if this new record is any proof, they will be around for years to come.
Bursting out of New York City with three ground-breaking albums in quick succession ‘ROCK CITY’(Capitol), ‘NARITA’ (Capitol) and ‘FIRE DOWN UNDER’(Elektra) featuring vocalist Guy Speranza then another iconic period with the albums ‘Restless Breed” (Elektra) and ‘Born in America” featuring vocalist Rhett Forrester,RIOT quickly became one of the biggest cult metal bands in the world. Stunning performances in the UK at the first ever Castle Donington Festival with Rainbow and Scorpions, and Port Vale supporting Ozzy Osbourne the following year, and support slots with Sammy Hagar, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Rush, Kiss to name and few cemented their reputation as the hottest ticket to see.
With the Eighties developing into a metal-fest, a new-look new-sound RIOT bounced back transforming from an edgy hard rock band into a power metal assault. Guitarist Mark Reale recruited metal bassist Don Van Stavern (SA) Slayer) and collaborated on songs for the widely-acclaimed release ‘THUNDERSTEEL’(Sony). RealeandVan Stavern joined vocalist Tony Moore,drummer Bobby Jarzombekand Marks guitar cohort, Mike Flyntz who completed the twin axe attack. RIOT was reborn, and followed ‘THUNDERSTEEL’ two years later with the jaw-dropping conceptual album ‘THE PRIVILEGE OF POWER’ (Sony) featuring an elite list of guest performers.
With the departure of Van Stavern and Moore, Reale shifted gears with a new look RIOT featuring vocalistMike Dimeo, bassist Pete Perez and drummer Frank Gilchriest. This line up released several albums and did tours but eventually after many industry, media and fan requests for the reformation of the legendary Thundersteel power metal line-up Reale contacted former members and the plan was put into action!
RIOT’s classic ‘Thundersteel’ and‘Privilege of Power line-up reformed for a limited reunion in 2009 and delivered another ground breaking disc ‘IMMORTAL SOUL’. Released by major metal heavy weights Spv/ Steamhammer &Avalon/ Marquee, and a successful Tour with performances on the prestigious Royal Caribbean 70,000 Tons of Metal oceanliner concert and appearances at Sweden Rock and Metalway festivals solidified RIOT’s long sought after return a success, but success doesnt come without tragedy. RIOT‘s journey has never been easy, with personal changes and the untimely deaths of frontmen Guy Speranza, Rhett Forrester as well as the passing of long time guitarist Mark Reale who finally lost his life long battle with Crohns disease in 2012 and with Tony Moore who just commited to do an album and a few shows has decided to step away from the music business and concentrate on his family life with wife and job.
RIOT, like Johnny, are back again! Through the storm of lifes obsticles the guys are joined by powerhouse vocalist extraordinaire Todd Michael Hall (Burning Starr, Reverence),Frank Gilchriest (Virgin Steele, Riot’s Army of One) and former Mike Flyntz guitar student and resident shredder Nick Lee and are ready to raise the flag in honor of the RIOT legacy of music and our fallen band mates and the fans who have been demanding RIOT for years. This new onslaught headlined sold out shows in Germany, Greece, Spain and Italy and headlined the prestigious festivals Metal Assault and Metal Apocalypse early this year with rave reviews and upcoming Festivals this July including Bang Your Head with Twisted Sister/ Anthrax, Metal Days with Megadeth/ Volbeat and will headline Headbangers Open Air with support acts including Saxon/ Anvil and top it off with the headlining performance on next years Keep It True 2015 Festival with support acts including Scorpions Uli John Roth which is already sold-out! The new record is slated for an October. 2014 release via the “true believer” label Spv/ Steamhammer once again and promises to pick where the legendary Thundersteel line up left off. With reissues onSony, EMI & Metal Blade, RIOT are consistantly on radio and metal charts worldwide, as well as being a part of New York Citys Top 20 most influencial metal bands and numerous mentions on VH1’s That Metal Show with Eddie Trunk and staff sighting RIOT as one of the inovaters of Metal music in America and beyond! The new CD promises to be a true successor to the legacy of ‘Thundersteel’, ‘Privilege of Power’ and “Immortal Soul”. RIOT V truely are Metal Soldiers and will keep marching and fighting the good fight to bring you the music you’ve come to know, love and expect.
Mark, Guy and Rhett are smiling down from rock n’ roll heaven as the RIOT legacy forever Shines On!
LINE-UP:
Don Van Stavern – bass
Mike Flyntz – guitars
Nick Lee – guitars
Todd Michael Hall – vocals
Frank Gilchriest – drums
