Riot’s classic Thundersteel and Privilege Of Power lineup reunited in 2009 and delivered a critically acclaimed album, Immortal Soul, via major metal heavyweights SPV/ Steamhammer and Avalon/ Marquee. A successful tour with performances on the prestigious 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise and appearances at Sweden Rock and Metalway festivals solidified Riot’s long-sought-after return a success, but success doesn’t come without tragedy.
The band’s journey has never been easy, with personnel changes and the untimely deaths of frontmen Guy Speranza, Rhett Forrester as well as the passing of long-time founding guitarist Mark Reale who finally lost his lifelong battle with Crohn’s disease early last year, and with Tony Moore battling his own demons and health issues, Riot, like Johnny, are back again!
Through the storm of life’s obstacles, Mike Flyntz, Bobby Jarzombek and Don Van Stavern are joined by powerhouse vocalist extraordinaire Todd Michael Hall (Jack Starr’s Burning Starr, Reverence) and are ready to raise the flag in honor of the Riot legacy of music and our fallen bandmates and heroes, as well as the fans who have been demanding Riot for years and years to come! With the blessing of Mark’s father Tony Reale, the remaining members prepare for the next phase, the fifth phase if you will, of Riot.
Mark always used to say that there were always different phases of Riot throughout the years continuing on with a new singer, sound, logo as well and each having a few records under their belt, Phase One: Guy Speranza, Phase Two: Rhett Forrester, Phase Three: Tony Moore, Phase Four: Mike DiMeo and now Phase Five: Todd Michael Hall! A new album is in the works for a summer 2014 release and reissues are due on Sony, EMI and Metal Blade.
Riot V is:
Todd Michael Hall – Vocals
Bobby Jarzombek – Drums
Don Van Stavern – Bass
Mike Flyntz – Guitar
12 Responses
I think that it’s wonderful they are carrying on, but also fitting they change the name. And with regard to the name change, RIOT V is perfect! It’s a slight name change so to keep the fans close to the vest and not feeling like “What happened to RIOT?” Perfect!
Way cool, I took guitar lessons from Mike many years ago! Does he have a brother too?
Mike has a brother who plays Bass guitar and a little key boards.
Bummer about Tony, best of luck to Riot
…was there a lou kavaris in this band?
How bout Quiet Riot IV. Poor Frankie will tour with anybody now. How low can a band go?
There’s so many Slade songs they haven’t covered yet. So anything’s possible with Mr. Banali’s group of unknowns.
I think it’s very telling when people try so hard to keep a band’s name alive. It’s really an indictment on how hard it is to break a new band these days. To anyone forming a band now, good luck.
I saw Riot in 1982 with Rainbow and Scorpions. Riot was great, but I wasn’t knocked out enough to go buy the LP. Material is the key. I listen to Eddie and Jim Florentine’s shows and when I hear bands like Y+T and Dokken it’s real clear to me why they didn’t break through to the next level. With UFO I think it was the Spinal Tap thing with Schenker leaving at critical times. With the others it’s a lack of great material. Krokus was really on their way but I don’t know what happened. They gave Def Leppard a run for their money in 1983 on the Pyromania tour. Krokus was awesome in 1981 too.
nice mention of Krokus, bought the Metal Rendezvous LP solely based on the album cover, never heard of them had no idea what to expect, similarly with the Def Leppard On Through the Night LP (and just about everything else back then). Within months, saw both the Metal Rendezvous and OTtN tours in a tiny venue, standing room only no seats and I was front row. Metal Rendezvous is sorta like the first Angel Witch album for me (obviously different genres), both classics.
As for Riot, still have the early LPs in plastic sleeves in perfect condition (as well as the mentioned above). And of course Strangers in the Night LPs.
forgot to mention, actually bought tickets to see Riot and I believe Manowar together and when we got to the venue, the show was cancelled.