The Riot

Emerging from New York City, the veteran heavy metal ensemble Riot attained prominence during the 1980s through their energetic fusion of stadium-caliber hard rock and soaring power-metal anthems. Although their commercial fortunes rose and fell in step with shifting popular tastes across subsequent decades, the band retained a devoted international audience, most notably in Japan, where they continued to command large crowds well into the 2010s. Established in 1976 by guitarist and principal songwriter Mark Reale—the group’s only unchanging member—Riot became recognized for its memorable melodic hooks, instrumental precision, and the recurring “baby seal” emblem that appeared on nearly every album jacket, a mascot fans know as “Johnny.” Active since the late 1970s, the outfit has issued close to twenty studio albums, among them the standouts 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 original 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, Rick Ventura joined on guitar, and the band issued Narita in 1979, switching to Capitol Records and attracting notice in the U.K. When Iommi and Bitelli exited, bassist Kip Leming and drummer Sandy Slavin completed the classic lineup. Supporting tours with AC/DC and Molly Hatchet preceded the 1981 release of Fire Down Under, widely regarded by supporters as one of Riot’s defining works; although Capitol had dropped the group before the album appeared, Elektra Records recognized its promise and issued it to favorable reviews. The exit of Speranza dealt the band a significant setback. New frontman Rhett Forrester debuted on 1982’s Restless Breed, yet after Born in America arrived the following year, Reale declared the group disbanded. He later formed the Mark Reale Project before reviving Riot in late 1986 alongside vocalist Tony Moore, bassist Don Van Stavern, and drummer Bobby Jarzombek. Their return album, Thundersteel, surfaced in 1988 and proved especially popular in Japan. The Privilege of Power followed two years later; 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. Following 1994’s Night Breaker, Jarzombek left and was succeeded by John Macaluso for 1996’s The Brethren of the Long House. Jarzombek rejoined for Inishmore in 1998, with Sons of Society appearing the next year.

Jarzombek departed once more in late 1999 and was succeeded by Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult), whose first studio recording with the group was 2002’s Through the Storm. Army of One (2006) introduced drummer Frank Gilchriest (Virgin Steele) and marked the final Riot album for vocalist Mike DiMeo, who was replaced by Mike Tirelli. Additional live dates and festival appearances ensued amid further lineup shifts, yet nearly five years passed before the band returned to the studio. Immortal Soul, the fourteenth studio album, emerged in 2011 and became the last to feature founder Mark Reale, who succumbed to complications from Crohn’s disease on January 25, 2012. In 2017, Cherry Red issued the Official Bootleg Box, a two-volume collection of live recordings drawn from tapes preserved in 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). The Steamhammer release Unleash the Fire appeared in August 2014. The same roster reconvened for Armor of Light, issued by Nuclear Blast in 2018.