Biography
Emerging from New York City, the long-standing heavy metal group Riot achieved prominence in the 1980s with a potent fusion of stadium-oriented hard rock and soaring power metal. Their appeal rose and fell alongside evolving musical trends across the decades, yet they retained a substantial audience abroad, above all in Japan, where they continued to draw large crowds well into the 2010s. Guitarist and songwriter Mark Reale, the only member who stayed throughout, launched the band in 1976; Riot became recognized for memorable melodies, technical skill, and the recurring baby seal image—fondly called “Johnny”—that appeared on nearly every album cover. Since starting out in the late 1970s, they have issued close to 20 studio albums, among them the notable Fire Down Under (1981), Thundersteel (1988), and Immortal Soul (2011). Following Reale’s death in 2012, the remaining musicians adopted the name Riot V.
The first lineup—guitarist Mark Reale, vocalist Guy Speranza, guitarist L.A. Kouvaris, bassist Jimmy Iommi, and drummer Peter Bitelli—issued their debut Rock City on Ariola in 1977. After Kouvaris departed in favor of guitarist Rick Ventura, the band moved to Capitol Records and released Narita in 1979, which brought them broader notice in the U.K. Iommi and Bitelli soon left as well; bassist Kip Leming and drummer Sandy Slavin joined, completing the classic Riot roster. Support tours with AC/DC and Molly Hatchet preceded the 1981 album Fire Down Under, widely regarded by fans as one of the band’s essential works. Capitol parted ways with the group before its release, but Elektra Records quickly picked it up and launched it to strong reviews.
The exit of vocalist Speranza dealt Riot a serious setback. Rhett Forrester debuted on Restless Breed in 1982, yet after Born in America appeared the following year, Reale declared the band finished. He formed the Mark Reale Project, then revived Riot in late 1986 alongside vocalist Tony Moore, bassist Don Van Stavern, and drummer Bobby Jarzombek. Their return album Thundersteel surfaced in 1988 and found particular favor in Japan. The Privilege of Power followed in 1990; after second guitarist Mike Flyntz joined and bassist Pete Perez replaced Van Stavern, the band toured the Far East, resulting in the 1992 live set Live in Japan. Jarzombek left after Night Breaker in 1994; John Macaluso played on 1996’s The Brethren of the Long House before Jarzombek returned for Inishmore in 1998 and Sons of Society in 1999.
Jarzombek departed again at the end of 1999, yielding the drum chair to Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult), who appeared on Through the Storm in 2002. Army of One, released in 2006, introduced drummer Frank Gilchriest (Virgin Steele) and marked the final Riot album for vocalist Mike DiMeo, who was succeeded by Mike Tirelli. After further shows, festivals, and lineup shifts, the group waited nearly five years before recording again. Their fourteenth studio album, Immortal Soul, arrived in 2011 and became the last to feature founder Mark Reale, who died on January 25, 2012, from complications of Crohn’s disease. In 2017 Cherry Red issued the Official Bootleg Box, a two-volume collection of live recordings drawn from tapes held by Reale’s estate.
Riot resumed activity in 2013 as Riot V with a lineup of Mike Flyntz (guitar), Nick Lee (guitar), Don Van Stavern (bass), Frank Gilchriest (drums), and Todd Michael Hall (vocals). Steamhammer released Unleash the Fire in August 2014. The same musicians reconvened for Armor of Light, issued by Nuclear Blast in 2018. While touring that album they captured Live in Japan 2018, which appeared a year later.
The first lineup—guitarist Mark Reale, vocalist Guy Speranza, guitarist L.A. Kouvaris, bassist Jimmy Iommi, and drummer Peter Bitelli—issued their debut Rock City on Ariola in 1977. After Kouvaris departed in favor of guitarist Rick Ventura, the band moved to Capitol Records and released Narita in 1979, which brought them broader notice in the U.K. Iommi and Bitelli soon left as well; bassist Kip Leming and drummer Sandy Slavin joined, completing the classic Riot roster. Support tours with AC/DC and Molly Hatchet preceded the 1981 album Fire Down Under, widely regarded by fans as one of the band’s essential works. Capitol parted ways with the group before its release, but Elektra Records quickly picked it up and launched it to strong reviews.
The exit of vocalist Speranza dealt Riot a serious setback. Rhett Forrester debuted on Restless Breed in 1982, yet after Born in America appeared the following year, Reale declared the band finished. He formed the Mark Reale Project, then revived Riot in late 1986 alongside vocalist Tony Moore, bassist Don Van Stavern, and drummer Bobby Jarzombek. Their return album Thundersteel surfaced in 1988 and found particular favor in Japan. The Privilege of Power followed in 1990; after second guitarist Mike Flyntz joined and bassist Pete Perez replaced Van Stavern, the band toured the Far East, resulting in the 1992 live set Live in Japan. Jarzombek left after Night Breaker in 1994; John Macaluso played on 1996’s The Brethren of the Long House before Jarzombek returned for Inishmore in 1998 and Sons of Society in 1999.
Jarzombek departed again at the end of 1999, yielding the drum chair to Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult), who appeared on Through the Storm in 2002. Army of One, released in 2006, introduced drummer Frank Gilchriest (Virgin Steele) and marked the final Riot album for vocalist Mike DiMeo, who was succeeded by Mike Tirelli. After further shows, festivals, and lineup shifts, the group waited nearly five years before recording again. Their fourteenth studio album, Immortal Soul, arrived in 2011 and became the last to feature founder Mark Reale, who died on January 25, 2012, from complications of Crohn’s disease. In 2017 Cherry Red issued the Official Bootleg Box, a two-volume collection of live recordings drawn from tapes held by Reale’s estate.
Riot resumed activity in 2013 as Riot V with a lineup of Mike Flyntz (guitar), Nick Lee (guitar), Don Van Stavern (bass), Frank Gilchriest (drums), and Todd Michael Hall (vocals). Steamhammer released Unleash the Fire in August 2014. The same musicians reconvened for Armor of Light, issued by Nuclear Blast in 2018. While touring that album they captured Live in Japan 2018, which appeared a year later.
Albums
