Riot

A New York City-bred heavy metal ensemble that achieved prominence during the 1980s through its potent mix of stadium-oriented hard rock and soaring power-metal anthems, Riot experienced fluctuating fortunes as musical fashions shifted across subsequent decades, yet preserved a substantial international following, most notably in Japan, where the group continued to attract large audiences through the 2010s. Established in 1976 by guitarist and songwriter Mark Reale, the only member to remain throughout the band’s existence, Riot became recognized for its memorable melodies, instrumental precision, and the recurring baby-seal image that graced almost every album cover, a figure fans came to know fondly as “Johnny.” Having begun performing in the late 1970s, the band eventually issued close to twenty studio albums, among them the widely regarded highlights Fire Down Under (1981), Thundersteel (1988), and Immortal Soul (2011). Following Reale’s death in 2012, the remaining musicians adopted the name Riot V for all future activity.

The group’s first configuration—guitarist Mark Reale, vocalist Guy Speranza, guitarist L.A. Kouvaris, bassist Jimmy Iommi, and drummer Peter Bitelli—introduced itself in 1977 with Rock City on the Ariola label. After Kouvaris departed in favor of guitarist Rick Ventura, the band issued Narita in 1979, now on Capitol Records, an album that earned considerable notice in the United Kingdom. With Iommi and Bitelli exiting next, bassist Kip Leming and drummer Sandy Slavin joined, completing the classic Riot lineup. Supporting tours with AC/DC and Molly Hatchet preceded the 1981 release of Fire Down Under, an album fans continue to regard as one of the band’s most vital statements; Capitol had already dropped Riot before the record appeared, but Elektra quickly stepped in and issued it to strong critical approval. The exit of Speranza soon dealt the group a serious setback. New singer Rhett Forrester debuted on 1982’s Restless Breed, yet after Born in America appeared the following year, Reale announced the band’s breakup. He briefly formed the Mark Reale Project before reviving Riot in late 1986 with vocalist Tony Moore, bassist Don Van Stavern, and drummer Bobby Jarzombek. Their return album, Thundersteel, surfaced in 1988 and proved especially successful in Japan. Two years later The Privilege of Power arrived; after guitarist Mike Flyntz and bassist Pete Perez joined, the band toured extensively throughout the Far East, documenting the trip with the 1992 live album Live in Japan. Following Night Breaker in 1994, Jarzombek left and was replaced by drummer John Macaluso for 1996’s The Brethren of the Long House. Jarzombek rejoined in time for Inishmore in 1998, after which Sons of Society appeared in 1999.

When Jarzombek departed again at the end of 1999, Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult) took over and made his recorded debut on 2002’s Through the Storm. 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. A period of frequent live shows and festival appearances ensued, accompanied by further lineup adjustments, yet nearly five years passed before the group returned to the studio. In 2011 Riot delivered its fourteenth studio album, Immortal Soul, the last to feature founder Mark Reale, who succumbed to complications from a lifelong struggle with Crohn’s disease on January 25, 2012. Cherry Red issued the Official Bootleg Box, a two-volume collection of live recordings drawn from tapes preserved by Reale’s estate, in 2017.

Riot re-emerged in 2013 as Riot V, centered on guitarist Mike Flyntz, guitarist Nick Lee, bassist Don Van Stavern, drummer Frank Gilchriest, and vocalist Todd Michael Hall. The Steamhammer label released Unleash the Fire in August 2014. The same lineup reassembled for Armor of Light, issued by Nuclear Blast in 2018.