RIOT

Heavy Metal / US Power Metal • United States

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Riot (later known as Riot V) is a metal band from Brooklyn, NY, United States that was formed in 1975 by guitarist Mark Reale with the original line-up being completed by Guy Speranza (vocals), Phil Feit (bass), and Peter Bitelli (drums). They recorded a four track demo together in an attempt to get included on a compilation of new rock bands. They were turned down but Riot was signed by producers Billy Arnell and Steve Loeb to their Fire-Sign Records label. There were some line-up changes, with the introduction of second guitarist Louie Kouvaris and a change of bassist to Jimmy Iommi and then Riot released their debut album, Rock City, in 1977. Their music over the years has varied from hard rock to traditional heavy metal to US power metal.

Soon though Riot were losing what momentum they had gained and in 1979 were on the verge of a read more...

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Riot V - Sign of the Crimson Storm - Soaring Eagle Casino online metal music video by RIOT

Riot V - Sign of the Crimson Storm - Soaring Eagle Casino
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RIOT - SWORDS & TEQUILA online metal music video by RIOT

RIOT - SWORDS & TEQUILA
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RIOT Discography

RIOT albums / top albums

3.89 | 15 ratings

Rock City
Heavy Metal 1977

4.05 | 17 ratings

Narita
Heavy Metal 1979

4.21 | 20 ratings

Fire Down Under
Heavy Metal 1981

3.36 | 14 ratings

Restless Breed
Heavy Metal 1982

2.95 | 10 ratings

Born in America
Heavy Metal 1983

4.28 | 38 ratings

ThunderSteel
US Power Metal 1988

3.96 | 16 ratings

The Privilege of Power
US Power Metal 1990

3.25 | 10 ratings

Nightbreaker
Heavy Metal 1993

RIOT The Brethren of the Long House album cover

3.50 | 11 ratings

The Brethren of the Long House
Heavy Metal 1995

4.35 | 9 ratings

Inishmore
Heavy Metal 1997

3.14 | 7 ratings

Sons of Society
Heavy Metal 1999

3.17 | 6 ratings

Through the Storm
Heavy Metal 2002

3.50 | 5 ratings

Army of One
Heavy Metal 2006

4.11 | 9 ratings

Immortal Soul
US Power Metal 2011

4.20 | 10 ratings

Unleash the Fire
US Power Metal 2014

4.25 | 8 ratings

Armor of Light
US Power Metal 2018

4.50 | 1 ratings

Mean Streets
US Power Metal 2024

RIOT EPs & splits

0.00 | 0 ratings

Monsters of Rock
Heavy Metal 1980

0.00 | 0 ratings

Riot Live
Heavy Metal 1982

RIOT live albums

3.25 | 2 ratings

Riot Live
Heavy Metal 1989

0.00 | 0 ratings

Live In Japan
Heavy Metal 1992

0.00 | 0 ratings

Shine On
Heavy Metal 1998

RIOT demos, promos, fans club and other releases (no bootlegs)

RIOT re-issues & compilations

RIOT singles (2)

0.00 | 0 ratings

Warrior
Heavy Metal 1977

0.00 | 0 ratings

Outlaw
Heavy Metal 1981

RIOT movies (DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS)

RIOT Reviews

RIOT Mean Streets

Album · 2024 · US Power Metal

Kev Rowland

Riot were a band who appeared in many ways to get more praise in the UK than they did in their home of New York, with both ‘Rock City’ and ‘Narita’ gaining lots of praise during the NWOBHM era although their sound was quite different. It was always Mark Reale’s band, and after his death in 2012 the question was whether or not to continue, but continue they did with a slight change to the name, and this is the third release with the same line-up of Todd Michael Hall (vocals), Nick Lee (guitars), Mike Flyntz (guitars), Don Van Stavern (bass), and Frank Gilchriest (drums). There may not be any original members left but both Stavern and Flyntz originally joined in the Eighties while Gilchrist was there more than 20 years ago, so while none played on the classics, they have every right to use the name.

This is American commercial metal with high vocals, some harmonies, all played in a style where the bottom end seems almost transparent and it all feels very Eighties, as if Bon Jovi had never really gone away. But you know what? I always enjoyed this style of music and felt the likes of Poison, WASP and the rest had far more musical chops than they were often given credit for, and these guys can trace their beginnings back to 1975 and a debut in 1977. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Riot deserved to be huge, and the reason that never happened was out of their control. In fact, Classic Rock wrote a great piece on them a few years ago which started with “In the late 70s, Riot were the Great White Hopes of American rock. But that was before the public ignored them, their label disowned them, and their singer quit. And then things got really bad…”.

Given what they have been through, there is no way Riot (V) should be here all those years later producing something which is a modern American hard rock/metal classic which brings back the days when they were young and hopeful, but they have. This is a superb release which made me smile the first time I played it, the grin getting wider with each song. This could well be their best release since ‘Fire Down Under’ more than 40 years ago, and that is saying something. Essential.

3 months ago
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Report #881104

RIOT ThunderSteel

Album · 1988 · US Power Metal

The Spotlight Kid

This album is nothing short of kickass heavy metal/US Power Metal perfection.

Riot is a band that was always a step ahead of their contemporaries and times, which is one of the reasons for their obscurity. On their first three albums they were considered too heavy by record companies and radio, which is crazy because those are some of the best rock/heavy metal albums ever made and were a huge influence on the NWOBHM. So much so that they would be considered by many to be honorary members of that movement even though they hail from New York.

With "Thundersteel" they would once again be ahead of the curve creating a perfect Power Metal album which was closer to that European Power metal sound that would become popular in the mid 90's. Again coming in a bit to early and therefore not getting the credit it deserves. The album belts from top to bottom. I love every track on this album and it's one of those albums that truly is all killer no filler. Tony Moore's laser like vocals, Mark Reale's killer shred attack and riff mastery, Bobby Jarzombek's drum onslaught and Don Van Stavern's dynamic bass playing...all ingredients that create a perfect album.

more than 2 years ago
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Report #664586

RIOT Fire Down Under

Album · 1981 · Heavy Metal

Unitron

"Swords and tequila, carry me through the night. Swords and tequila, carry me through the fight!"

Riot immediately established their own unique sound on their 1977 debut, and continued delivering the goods on their second album two years later. Another two years later, and the band blasted into the 80's with one of the greatest classics of traditional heavy metal. Fire Down Under not only marked the last album with vocalist Guy Speranza and the final album of their masterpiece trilogy, but it also happened to be the best of the bunch and the band's magnum opus.

What makes Fire Down Under stand out from the first two is just how it does pretty much everything the first two did, but with all of it turned up to 11. Everything is just exploding with heavy metal fury, even the moodier moments have an electrified presence about them. From beginning to end, this album is 37 and a half minutes of pure metal energy, with not a single weak moment. The moodier songs on the album take the form of "Feel the Same" and "Altar of the King". These tracks manage to maintain the high energy of the album while being absolutely beautiful at the same time. "Feel the Same" especially, with its somber main riff and Speranza's stunning vocal performance. It even makes me tear up sometimes.

The album begins with the one-two punch of "Swords and Tequila" and the title track. The former has always been my favorite Riot tune, it has such addictive hooks and it's impossible to not want to sing along to it. The title track is a blistering piece of early speed metal that will shred your skin right off. "Don't Bring Me Down" sounds a bit like classic Aerosmith on steroids, while "Don't Hold Back" and "Run For Your Life" are treats of the classic galloping riff. The only song that takes a bit of time to get used to is the finale of "Flashbacks". However, once you get past the talking at the beginning and focus on the blistering distortion and later catchy riff, it closes out the album really damn well.

Even though Riot's terrible mascot is staring you right in the face on Fire Down Under, somehow it works this time around. It almost seems to speak: "Yeah, our mascot sucks, what you gonna do about it?". If that was the intent, you can't get much more metal than that. Even if you still can't get past the cover art, at least give Fire Down Under a listen. If you don't, you're missing out on an amazing classic album that no self-respecting metalhead should miss.

https://thewickednest.blogspot.com/2018/04/riot-fire-down-under-review.html

more than 2 years ago
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Report #318293

RIOT Narita

Album · 1979 · Heavy Metal

Unitron

"Road Racin'. Movin' on down the line. Shiftin' gears, racin' through space and time"

Two years after Riot's phenomenal debut Rock City, the band continues at a steady pace with the amazing sound they set up with the debut. Keeping the heavy metal and hard rock blend in tact, not a whole lot has changed. It's another delivery of late 70's metal of the highest quality.

If you've heard any song from this album, it's probably either the instrumental title track or the classic "Road Racin'". I didn't mention this in my review of their debut, but Riot was probably a big influence on the NWoBHM, and the instrumental title track sure fits right in. "Road Racin'" is a classic and legendary song for a reason, immediately it just sucks you in with the electric drilling main riff. One of the greatest moments on the album is the absolutely blistering cover of Steppenwolf's classic "Born to Be Wild". Riot adds in so much personality and so much more fun to the song, with a pumping bassline that pops right out of your speakers, Speranza's fun vocal performance, and killer guitar work. Not to bash the original, but Riot's cover really hits it out of the park. The muscular "Kick Down the Wall", "Do It Up", and "Hot for Love" are other highlights.

Honestly there isn't a whole lot more I can say about the album without repeating what I said in my review of their debut. Riot retains their unique sound, their fun personality, and everything else great about them. However I would say that I prefer the debut, as only the last song on the album was on the weak end and it was short. There's only one weaker song on this album too, but it's the longest one. "Here We Come Again" isn't bad by any means, but six minutes is way too long for a song that doesn't hold up to the rest of the album.

Again, ignore the even more atrocious cover art and have yourself a blast with Narita. The best in Riot's masterpiece trilogy was to come very soon though, and there's no escaping the fire down under.

https://thewickednest.blogspot.com/2018/04/riot-narita-review.html

more than 2 years ago
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Report #341822

RIOT Rock City

Album · 1977 · Heavy Metal

Unitron

"Shine, shine on, Warrior."

Exploding onto the quickly growing metal scene in 1977, Riot unleashed the first taste of their high octane traditional metal with their debut Rock City. By this time, heavy metal was evolving out of it's development stages, and into a second wave of bands that propelled the genre into the 80's and into a more focused sound. So along with Judas Priest, Scorpions, Motorhead, and Heavy Load, Riot brought heavy metal into a truly "traditional" sound.

Already Riot feels very comfortable in their own sound, as this debut is not far off from the band's legendary classics like Narita and Fire Down Under. Influences from Sweet's heavy metal moments can be heard, as well as some more hard rock leaning moments reminiscent of bands like Led Zeppelin and UFO. Overall though, it can easily be compared to what Judas Priest would be doing on Killing Machine just a year later.

The album opens right up with a one-two punch of "Desperation" and "Warrior", which have everything that's great about late 70's metal. The title track follows with a more hard rock sound, though the solo is pure metal all the way. "Angel" and "Heart of Fire" are a couple more high energy bursts of classic metal, especially the latter. It just explodes right out the door, and has an absolutely driving main riff that pulses with energy. While it's close with that song, the best on the album would probably have to go to "Overdrive", which has such a massive drum sound that makes it impossible to not stomp your foot.

Something that I absolutely love about the first three Riot albums, is how much personality there is. A lot of that personality comes from Guy Speranza's vocals. He has such a unique voice and has the perfect combination of metal attitude and beautiful melody. The closest comparison I can make is James Young of Styx, who sang on the band's heaviest tracks. "Overdrive" and "Heart of Fire" have that great heavy metal attitude blended with wonderful melodies, while "Gypsy Queen" has one of the most beautiful melodies in 70's metal.

Like with many debuts, Riot's is another one that has gone underrated. Ignore the atrocious cover art, and get ready for a ride of awesome classic metal that screams of personality. It's a great start to a fantastic career. Hope you found this review helpful, feel free to comment!