Todd Michael Hall said about the “V” letter: “The official name for the band is Riot V, but we do have this confusion with the Japanese release versus the European release. I was told that the Japanese record label considered the release to be a continuation of the previous contract…
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In 2014, Nick Lee, a former student at the guitar classes run by Flyntz, joined as the new co-lead guitarist for the band, replacing deceased Reale, and Frank Gilchriest rejoined the band in place of Jarzombek, who had quit the band to focus on his activities with Fates Warning .…
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On January 25, 2012, founding band member Mark Reale died of complications resulting from Crohn’s disease at the age of 56. Immediately following his death, the band, featuring the “Thundersteel” lineup, performed several previously-booked east coast shows and the “70,000 Tons of Metal” cruise ship gig without him. A new…
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On August 12, 2011, it was reported that final mixing was underway for the band’s new album, Immortal Soul , which was released first in Japan on October 18 by Marquee Inc., Japan’s Avalon label. It was released in Germany on October 28 and in Europe on October 31 and…
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Nothing further was heard from the band for most of 2010 until on September 28, 2010, it was reported that Tony Moore had rejoined the band, with a new album set for release sometime in 2011.
In 2008, it was announced that the classic Thundersteel -era line-up would reunite for a tour, starting in June 2009 with high-profile shows at the Sweden Rock and Metalway festivals, followed by a tour of Japan in the fall. A new studio album, tentatively scheduled for a late 2009 release,…
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In 2006, Riot returned with another album, Army of One , featuring new addition Frank Gilchriest ( Virgin Steele , Gothic Knights) on drums. It marked the final album with vocalist Mike DiMeo who had earlier announced his departure in order to concentrate on his work with retro rockers The…
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Riot with Tirelli toured the United States for most of 2005 and made an appearance in Japan in both 2006 and 2007 and undertook a tour of Spain in 2007.
In 1992, vocalist Tony Moore left the group over disagreements with manager/producer Steve Loeb. Reale recruited newcomer Mike DiMeo , who had played with Howard Stern sidekick Stuttering John Melendez in a local band named Josie Sang, with a view toward making a more hard rock-oriented solo album. Eventually, those…
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Reale relocated to San Antonio, Texas, where he recruited former S.A. Slayer members Steve Cooper, Don Van Stavern, and Dave McClain (now with Sacred Reich ) for a short-lived new band called Narita. By 1986, Reale and Van Stavern had made their way out to Los Angeles in an attempt…
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