New York based Riot was founded back in 1976 in guitarist and main songwriter Mark Reale's basement. After completing the line-up with Guy Speranza (v), LA Kouvaris (g), Jimmy Iommi (b) and Peter Bitelli (dr) they began to play different clubs in their hometown. Already a year later they released their debut album, called 'Rock City', themselves. One year later, after replacing Kouvaris by Rick Ventura, the 2nd album 'Narita' (the name of a Tokyo airport) came out. Then Jimmy Iommi and Peter Bitelli were replaced by Kip Leming (b) and Sandy Slavin (dr). Thus the classical line-up was born. In 1980 Riot were offered the chance to play their first shows in Europe, including their appearance at the first ever Monsters of Rock festival in Donington Park, England. After a following US tour the band started to write material for a third album. The record company (Capitol Records) wanted them to change into another different direction this time, pushing them towards writing more commercial songs. The band did exactly the opposite, and wrote heavier material. Capitol didn't like the material and refused to release the album. So after several months of delay, finally Elektra Records released the 'Fire Down Under' album in late 1981. Again extensive gigging followed, especially in the UK. But soon after the tour Guy Speranza left. Rhett Forrester stepped in as the new vocalist, and together they recorded 'Restless Breed' in 1982. This was a much more blues oriented sound, due to Rhett's style. Another tour, and a 6 Track live EP followed later in 1982. Then one year later the 5th album, entitled 'Born In America' came out. This time they band returned to their traditional metal once again. Following the obvious tour Mark Reale chose to disband Riot. Sandy Slavin later joined Adam Bomb and Frehley's Comet, while Rhett Forrester sang on the first Jack Starr (ex-Virgin Steele) album, called 'Out of Darkness'. He also released 2 solo albums, 'Gone with the Wind' (1984) and 'Even the Score' (1988). He died in January 1994, shot down in a street in Atlanta after being car jacked! Guy Speranza died on November 8, 2003 of pancreatic cancer. Mark Reale moved to Texas, and formed the Mark Reale Project. Later on they renamed their band to Narita. But even though he managed to play with some solid names, the band never got very successful. Thus Mark decided to move back to New York again, and reformed Riot in late 1986. The band signed with CBS Records, and released their comeback album 'Thundersteel' in 1988. The new line-up consisted of Tony Moore (v), Mark Reale (g), Don VanStavern (b, ex-S.A. Slayer) and Bobby Jarzombek (d, ex-Juggernaut). Another 2 years passed by, and in 1990 the band released 'The Privilege of Power'. The band has constantly released album, and toured the globe ever since. Riot is semi-famous for their untraditional mascot. Gracing many of the bands earliest album covers, this seal (!??!) was named Johnny!!

FIRE DOWN UNDER (1981, 1999) METAL BLADE

Even though I've been a metalhead since the early 80's, and have a fairly extensive heavy metal collection, there are still bands that are somewhat essential, that I've been missing out on. Riot was such a band for a long time. But in high time I've now begun acquiring their CD's. While I, as of writing this, am also in the possession of 'Thundersteel' and 'The Privilege Of Power', I am starting my Riot page with 'Fire Down Under', the bands third album from 1981. This was their second effort for Capitol Records, and it was to be their last. Because where Capitol wanted them to go more mainstream, Riot went in the opposite direction. 'Fire Down Under' is not only one of the very few non-British albums that could stay side by side together with all those early NWOBHM classic, it is also a fine proto-type of what was to become the US power/speed metal genre. The album opens with the brawly "Swords & Tequila", a raunchy and fast bar-rock anthem. Then the even faster title track makes it's entrance. And it's here the speed metal elements really kicks in. No other American band were this heavy in 1981! This is history in the making. The rest of the album might not be this fast, but the energy level is high throughout, with the band reminding me of everyone from AC/DC to Saxon and Judas Priest. Riot is a largely overlooked metal band, plagued by lack of label support, and line-up changes. But still they have cemented their position in heavy metal history, and 'Fire Down Under' is certainly one of the bands shining moments. I own the 1999 Metal Blade re-issue of this album. It comes with 2 bonus tracks.

Killer tracks: Swords & Tequila, Fire Down Under, Don't Hold Back, No Lies

THUNDERSTEEL (1988) EPIC/CBS

'Thundersteel' kicked off the beginning of the #2 era of Riot. Only guitarist, Mark Reale, was left from the line-up that released 'Born in America' 5 years earlier. And it wasn't only the line-up that was changed. The bands sound was vastly altered too. 'Thundersteel' is hailed among many as one of the earliest power metal albums. It was released 2 years prior to Judas Priest's 'Painkiller' album, for instance. But I guess people that claims this are forgetting bands like Helstar, Metal Church and Vicious Rumors. I am inclined to agree that they were one of the very first power/speed metal bands to get signed by a major label though. And as such it is quite strange that Riot's power metal era is almost forgotten today. 'Thundersteel' is top-of-the-line pounding metal, with galloping rhythms and soaring high-pitched vocals. And what a vocalist Tony Moore really is! I would put him next to greats such as Midnight, Rob Halford and Geoff Tate any day! He alone makes a rather mediocre song, like "Johnny's Back", a real pleasure to listen to, and lifts it to new heights. Riot delivers power metal of the finest sort, with a New York attitude. The music is melodic, but without any apparent softening touches. The high energy and speed is kept throughout the entire album, and although a song or 2 might be considered as attempts in creating ballads, it is the the vocal lines that offers the melody. Legendary Bobby Jarzombek creates a steady drum beat, but prevents from getting stale. The track list makes up for one of the strongest metal efforts, ever! 'Thundersteel' is a classic, and a milestone in it's genre. Any fan of Helstar, Heretic, Crimson Glory and early Fates Warning, amongst others, should love this album!

Killer tracks: All of them!

THE PRIVILEGE OF POWER (1990) EPIC/CBS

The recording of the follow up to the successful 'Thundersteel' was began shortly after the release of the "reunion" album. But it took close to a year to finish the recording, and before it hit the shelves nearly 2 years had passed. At first glance it would seem as though Riot had began to compose longer songs on 'The Privilege of Power'. Many of the songs are clocking in at over 6 minutes. But that is only partially true. You see, most of the tracks starts with the sound of someone zapping through the channels on a TV set. On some songs this lasts for over a minute, before the real song kicks in. At first I thought it was a cool concept, and rather fitting to the cover art, and whatnot. But it really starts to get annoying after the first 5 spins or so. It is the actual songs I want to hear. Luckily Riot delivers once more. They dare to experiment a little with their sound here. I already mentioned the samples. But they also adds other unusual stuff, like a horn section, scratching and funk elements! And this is all in the first song alone! But strip away all this, and you're still left with the Riot trademark sound, which is blistering speed metal, with loads of melody, hooks and helium vocals. I actually find that they have done everything possible to up the ante with 'The Privilege of Power'. Now, that doesn't necessarily make it a better album. But it is hard not to appreciate the neck-breaking speed and accuracy in the playing in a song like "On Your Knees", or the blueprint pounding power metal, such as in "Metal Soldiers". Few bands can combine innovation and banality as successfully as these guys. But it might take you a spin or two extra to uncover all the details on this album. And then when you get there, you don't wanna leave! I know I can't get enough of this kind of metal. 'The Privilege Of Power' is bound to make any fan of Riot pleased. "Racing With The Devil On A Spanish Highway" was originally recorded by Al DiMeola.

Killer tracks: On Your Knees, Metal Soldiers, Runaway, Dance Of Death, Black Leather And Glittering Steel

Tony Moore, Don Van Stavern, Mark Reale, Mike Flyntz, Bobby Jarzombek

IMMORTAL SOUL (2011) STEAMHAMMER/SPV

Riot was never really gone, although they failed to make many headlines after the release of 'The Privilege Of Power' in 1990. But when the band announced a reunion of the line-up that recorded said album, and the even more hailed classic, 'Thundersteel' from 1988, the press showed a whole lot more interest again. After some festival appearances in 2009, it was time to deliver the long time fans a new album. So in 2011 the band released 'Immortal Soul'.

It seems that the whole retro thing is big these days, and the reunion waves have washed over us for years. Some more successful then others, but as a rule most bands never live up to the hype, or their former glory. Luckily Riot manage to break that unwritten rule, and have recorded s worthy successor to 'Thundersteel' and 'The Privilege Of Power'.

The key to this success spells Tony Moore. His clear voice, and the way he uses it, has characteristics that is all his own. Add to that his ability to write unique, memorable and beautiful melody lines, and you have a winning combination. Sure, any band is only as good as its weakest member, so there is no denying the importance of all the components that makes this band. Mark Reale is such an underrated guitar-player, delivering riff, licks and solos from the heart, rather then to show off. Bobby Jarzombek is as legendary they come in regards to metal drumming.

Riot delivers heavy metal the way it was originally meant. That means guitar-driven music that is as heavy as it is melodic. From the blistering, self-titled speed metal opener I am just blown away, and I can't wipe the grin off of my face as the band delivers a smorgasbord of catchy metal tunes! Be it the fast numbers, the more mid-paced songs or the ballads, they are all great! Any long time fan will also recognize the character of Johnny (from "Johnny's Back"), making a return in the song "Still Your Man".

'Immortal Soul' is definitely one of the highlights of CD's released in 2011. It's just so awesome to have one so-called reunion deliver on all accounts, and then some! I look forward to hearing more from Riot, and in the meantime I'll play a whole in my 'Immortal Soul' CD!

I own the regular version of the album, but a limited digipack edition with 2 bonus live tracks, recorded at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2009, also exists. The Japanese version has a different live track as a bonus.

Killer tracks: I like them all, but "Wings Are For Angels", "Fall Before Me" and "Insanity" are huge favorites.

Related artists:

Frehley's Comet, Black Symphony, Iced Earth, Fates Warning, Rob Rock