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Riot V

From Alfawiki
Riot V
Company typePrivate
IndustryMusic
Founded1975 in New York City, United States
FounderMark Reale
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsHeavy metal music
Websitewww.riotmetal.com

Riot V, initially known simply as Riot, is a heavy metal group from the United States, established in New York City in 1975 by guitarist Mark Reale. The band reached its height of fame during the early 1980s and has sustained a lengthy career since. Their original sound was straightforward heavy metal, which evolved toward power metal starting with the 1988 release Thundersteel.

Following the passing of founder and chief songwriter Mark Reale in 2013, remaining members regrouped under the name Riot V. The band's emblem, featuring a baby seal's face, has appeared on their album artwork.

Formation and early period (1975–1983)

Riot was created in 1975 by guitarist Mark Reale alongside drummer Peter Bitelli. They brought in bassist Phil Feit and vocalist Guy Speranza to complete the lineup. During this time, they recorded a four-song demo and incorporated keyboardist Steve Costello.

Reale presented their demos to producers Billy Arnell and Steve Loeb at Greene Street Recording Studio and Fire-Sign Records. Although a compilation project was declined, Riot secured a contract. The group expanded by adding second guitarist Louie Kouvaris and swapped Feit for Jimmy Iommi on bass; both bassists contributed to their debut album Rock City, produced by Arnell and Loeb and issued through Fire Sign Records. Despite supporting acts such as AC/DC and Molly Hatchet, the band’s momentum diminished by 1979.

The emergence of the new wave of British heavy metal attracted DJ Neal Kay's attention in the UK, increasing imports of Rock City. Buoyed by this, Arnell and Loeb produced Narita, during which Kouvaris was replaced by roadie Rick Ventura.

After opening for Sammy Hagar on his Texas tour, Capitol Records extended a global deal for Narita, primarily to support Hagar’s UK tour. Although the tour succeeded, Capitol dropped Riot afterward.

Arnell and Loeb invested the remaining Capitol advance into independent FM radio promotions, elevating Riot's visibility enough for Capitol to exercise an option for another album—resulting in Fire Down Under, which became Riot's top-selling release.

Capitol later deemed the finished album "commercially unacceptable," placing the band in contractual uncertainty while refusing to release them from their agreement. Arnell and Loeb orchestrated an international fan campaign, including protests outside EMI Records offices in the UK. Eventually, Elektra Records brokered a deal with Capitol Vice President Rupert Perry to issue Fire Down Under, which subsequently entered the Billboard 200 chart.

Disbandment, reunion efforts, and Reale's passing (1983–2012)

Vocalist Guy Speranza (1956–2003) departed due to conflicts between his faith and band life, succeeded by Rhett Forrester (1956–1994) for the 1982 album Restless Breed. Despite Forrester’s compelling stage presence, commercial success eluded the band amid his unpredictable behavior, changes within Elektra Records, and Quiet Riot’s 1983 breakthrough with "Cum on Feel the Noize". The 1983 album Born in America, funded independently by Steve Loeb and released on Canadian indie Quality Records, failed to gain traction, leading to the group's dissolution.

Mark Reale relocated to San Antonio, Texas, forming Narita with former members of S.A. Slayer. By 1986, Reale and bassist Don Van Stavern moved to Los Angeles to revive Riot with Sandy Slavin and Rhett Forrester. After brief participation from Harry Conklin of Jag Panzer, Reale reconnected with producer Steve Loeb in New York, recruiting drummer Mark Edwards and vocalist Tony Moore. Following Edwards' departure to Lion, Bobby Jarzombek assumed drumming duties for 1988’s Thundersteel. Their subsequent album, The Privilege of Power (1990), incorporated horn sections from the Brecker Brothers and Tower of Power and featured guest vocals by Joe Lynn Turner. Second guitarist Mike Flyntz joined for their 1989 Japan tour where Riot maintained a strong following. Bassist Van Stavern exited after the U.S. leg of that tour, replaced by Pete Perez.

In 1992, Tony Moore left due to management disagreements; Reale enlisted Mike DiMeo with plans for a hard rock solo project that evolved into Riot's 1993 release Nightbreaker, including covers from Deep Purple and Procol Harum. The Native American-inspired Brethren of the Long House (1996) featured John Macaluso briefly on drums and marked Steve Loeb’s final production contribution after overseeing thirteen albums across nineteen years. Riot then solidified their lineup, issuing Inishmore (1998), live album Shine On (1998), and Sons of Society (1999). Jarzombek departed in 1999 to join Rob Halford’s band; Pat Magrath temporarily filled touring duties before veteran drummer Bobby Rondinelli joined for 2002’s Through the Storm.

The 2006 release Army of One introduced drummer Frank Gilchriest and marked DiMeo’s final appearance after twelve years; he was succeeded by Mike Tirelli. With Tirelli onboard, Riot toured extensively across the U.S., Japan, and Spain through 2007.

In 2008, the classic lineup from Thundersteel reunited for a European tour in 2009 featuring festival performances but no new studio recordings emerged. Tony Moore departed again late in 2009 but returned in September 2010; a new album was announced for release in 2011.

By August 2011, final mixing was underway for Immortal Soul, which debuted first in Japan via Marquee Inc. in October before releasing later that month throughout Germany and Europe; North American distribution followed through SPV. Riot was scheduled as an opening act on HammerFall’s "European Outbreak 2011" tour but withdrew due to Moore undergoing emergency surgery.

On January 25, 2012, Mark Reale passed away at age 56 from complications related to Crohn's disease. The band fulfilled remaining East Coast appearances and participated in the "70,000 Tons of Metal" cruise without him. A posthumous compilation was released; at Reale’s father's request, the name "Riot" was retired. Nonetheless, former members from the "Thundersteel" era began forming a new group continuing Riot’s musical heritage.

Riot V's second reunion (2013–present)

Following the inclusion of Todd Michael Hall as the fifth official vocalist, succeeding Moore who stepped down to prioritize family commitments, the group adopted the name "Riot V." In 2014, Nick Lee—previously a student of Flyntz's guitar lessons—was brought in as co-lead guitarist, filling the role left vacant by the late Reale. Frank Gilchriest made his return on drums, taking over from Jarzombek, who exited to focus on Fates Warning. The album Unleash The Fire debuted in Japan under the Riot name in August 2014, marking the first release following Reale’s passing.

Todd Michael Hall clarified that the "V" symbolizes the band’s ongoing legacy as Riot V, although the Japanese label maintained the original "Riot" designation due to contractual obligations. Their album Mean Streets, initially slated for a 2023 release, experienced a postponement by the label and is now scheduled for 2024. Riot V embarked on a tour alongside Tailgunner and performed at the Sweden Rock Festival.

Current

  • Don Van Stavern – bass guitar (1986–1990, 2008–2012, 2013–present)
  • Mike Flyntz – guitar and backing vocals (1989–2012, 2013–present)
  • Frank Gilchriest – drums (2003–2007, 2014–present)
  • Todd Michael Hall – lead vocals (2013–present)
  • Nick Lee – guitar (2014–present)

Discography

External links

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