Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Location: Brescia / Circolo Colony / Italy
Concert date: 13.05.2016
Attendance: 350
What could be better than heading out on Friday the 13th on a heavy metal expedition, four hundred kilometers away to Brescia? To see Riot, now Riot V. Riot are a legendary band from New York, regarded as masters of their genre. Formed way back in 1975, the band has been through plenty of lineup changes over its career. It also had its share of ups and downs, though not because of bad releases, but because of poor management moves and the modesty of Mark Reale, for whom music always came first. Having died too young in 2011, Mark Reale left behind a huge legacy of creativity, and Riot remain, to this day, one of the most underrated bands in their genre. Mark was known as a superb songwriter. He was famous for writing excellent, “catchy” songs adorned with striking riffs, spiced up with a refined feel for twin guitar melodies and harmonies in thirds. The remaining original members Mike Flyntz and Don Van Stavern, with the blessing of Mark’s father, decided to carry on with Riot under the name Riot V. The band has now been going in this new lineup for more than two years: Todd Michael Hall (vocals), Nick Lee (guitar), Franck Gilchriest (drums), and of course the aforementioned Mike Flyntz (guitar) and Don Van Stavern on bass. This lineup released the excellent 2014 album »Unleash the Fire« – RockLine review HERE. Here’s a fun bit of trivia, too. Riot have played in our neck of the woods twice before: on 30.01.2000 at the Ljubljana club K4, on a bill with Agent Steel, Anvil and Domine, when Mar Reale was on guitar, Mike DiMeo on vocals and Pete Perez on bass. And as Riot V, the quintet has already visited Slovenia too, two years ago at the famous Metaldays festival in Tolmin!
Back to the scene at the Colony club. By estimate, the club holds around 700 people. Three other bands played alongside Riot V. We unfortunately missed the first one, Black Star. The second opener, Inifinity, with a female vocalist, didn’t slip past us. About 20 people kept them company in front of the stage. It’s typical power metal cut with Italian flavor. They played a solid set with an energetic singer, who also struck up a lively connection with the rather sparse crowd. Then Crying Steel took the stage, and they count as veterans, since their classic album »On the Prowl« came out way back in 1987. During their, sadly less convincing, set, the crowd of around three hundred people trickled up to the stage.
Riot V are already pretty well known at Circolo Colony. This was their third time playing here in this lineup, so there was no shortage of loyal fans. A little past eleven in the evening, the band walked onstage to a pre-recorded intro, followed by the instrumental Narita, taken from the band’s 1979 album of the same name. Right after it, Riot V jumped to the current studio album and tore into Ride Hard, Live Free. Positive heavy metal energy hung in the air all night. Fight or Fall from the cult »Thundersteel« album, a true classic, poured oil on the fire. The band was tight, energetic and spontaneous at the highest level, and Todd shines with his vocals in all their glory and perfection, effortlessly nailing every register. He has taken on the thankless and vocally demanding role of all three generations of excellent singers that Riot have had in their rich career, from Guy Speranza in the band’s first era, to the extremely high vocals of Tony Moore and Mike DiMeo. At this show Todd confirmed that over the last two years he has grown even more relaxed on stage and better at communicating with the crowd. Todd was in great spirits throughout the show and kept the audience firmly in his grip the whole time. There was no shortage of juicy jokes and banter during the show either, courtesy of every member of the band, which is yet another proof of how relaxed and united they are onstage. The band led those present through their entire catalog, from the debut »Fire Down Under« all the way to the latest album. The Flyntz and Lee guitar duo is intricately in sync. Down to the last detail. The signature thirds and harmonies, which have always been the band’s trademark, were a true feast for the ears. Mike did a superb job taking over Mark Reale’s solos and clearly enjoyed them immensely. Lee is very energetic onstage, bouncy, and gives his soul to the songs. The Riot V show once again wasn’t complete without tequila, which Don happily poured down his own throat and the fans’ throats. In honor of Mark Reale, of course. The rhythm section of Franck and Don is tight and clear. The band’s sound was clean and recognizable throughout the whole show. For me personally, the highlight of the night was the new song Take Me Back, which has exactly that vibe that carries you back to the golden days of heavy metal, to childhood and memories. Riot’s music touches even the most hidden corner of every metalhead’s soul, it’s that heartfelt, as all the band’s fans would instantly confirm. Riot are simply unique. And the band’s shows still can’t go without Mark Reale’s guitar case, which is present at every show.
The evening came to an end all too soon. The band served up all the classics from their whole career and left the stage after nineteen songs. The obligatory encore followed, where Riot V delivered the expected Swords and Tequila and the equally expected, punchy classic Thundersteel. An evening that flew by too fast was slightly dampened by the realization that, as far as the classics go, the repertoire hasn’t changed one bit in two years of touring. Of course, that doesn’t apply to the new songs from »Unleash the Fire«. Given the extremely rich discography Riot have, they could have pulled off a surprise or two.
After this new experience and new encounter with the band, I’d like to wrap up by saying that Riot V sound unified, remarkably tight, and thunder with extreme punch. Every member of the band left their soul on the stage and squeezed out their stage maximum. The band was in great stage spirits throughout the whole show. Let’s hope this tour will someday be immortalized with a live document, either as a double live CD or a concert DVD. To this day, Riot have never released a DVD at all. They’re also recording a new album, which is supposed to come out this year. Finally, I’d urge all fans of classic old-school heavy metal who don’t know Riot or Riot V yet to dig thoroughly through the band’s discography and head to their nearest upcoming show, because they definitely won’t let you down. »Shine on Mark Reale, shine on metal warriors, and Riot V!«
text and photos: Jani Mihevc Cah
Setlist
RIOT V:
1. Narita
2. Ride Hard Live Free
3. Fight or Fall
4. On Your Knees
5. Johnny’s Back
6 Wings Are for Angels
7. Fire Down Under
8. Hard Lovin’ Man
9. Metal Warrior
10. Sign of the Crimson Storm
11. Fall From the Sky
12. Outlaw
13. Black Leather and Glittering Steel
14. Angel Eyes
15. Flight of the Warrior
16. Bloodstreets
17. Take Me Back
18. Road Racin’
19. Warrior
—encore—
20. Swords and Tequila
21. Thundersteel
Photo Gallery
