Riot+v

RIOT V, the band featuring members of legendary metal pioneers RIOT, will release its new album, "Armor Of Light", on April 27 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was produced by Chris "The Wizard" Collier (METAL CHURCH, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, SLIPKNOT, KORN), while the cover artwork was created by Mariusz Gandzel (CRYSTAL VIPER).

Riot is the epitome of class, longevity and integrity: the New Yorkers play their high-class heavy metal with full fervour and have not let numerous strokes of fate - such as the death of guitarist Mark Reale, since when, out of respect, they are operating as Riot V - get them down. A lot of time has passed since the debut "Rock City" (1977), but Riot V is still around and now delights the fans with an absolute masterpiece. More than five years after "Armor Of Light" - which saw the band achieving chart success in numerous European countries for the first time ever - Riot V presents "Mean Streets". From the ferocious opener "Hail To The Warriors" to the hypnotic hymn "Feel The Fire" and the up-tempo hit "High Noon", up to the energetic title track, the band pulls out all the stops. Fast-paced, lively, melodic and heavy, "Mean Streets" is the full service for every heavy metal fan!

AFM Records is proud to bring this live concert to the screen (and stereo) of heavy metal fans around the world. Riot (now named Riot V) have been a household name in the scene for over four decades and without a doubt left their mark, inspired countless emerging bands and artists worldwide and are still hungry for more…

Musically, RIOT V have bestowed on us a small history lesson in their brand new studio album “Armor Of Light” tracing right back to their roots, and for fans of the legendary “Thundersteel” album from 1988 - their mouths will already be watering at the prospect! For the new record, the band has brought everything to the table that has distinguished RIOT since the very beginning, venerating their 1988 classic’s 30th anniversary on the highest level. Enthusiasts can expect aggressive songs, but perfectly formed in the enthralling melodies.

A venerable New York City-born heavy metal outfit that found success in the 1980s via their driving blend of arena-ready hard rock and anthemic power metal, Riot's popularity waxed and waned with the changing musical tides over the years, but they maintained a sizeable fan base overseas, especially in Japan, where they remained a huge draw well into the 2010s. Founded in 1976 under the leadership of guitarist/songwriter Mark Reale – the band's sole constant member – Riot is known for their strong melodies and technical acumen, and for the distinctive baby seal face that adorned nearly all of their album covers – the mascot is affectionately referred to as "Johnny." Since becoming active in the late 1970s, Riot has released nearly 20 studio LPs, with highlights arriving via Fire Down Under (1981), Thundersteel (1988), and Immortal Soul (2011). After Reale passed away in 2012, the surviving members began operating under the moniker Riot V…

Two years after the death of founding guitarist Mark Reale, a few members have put together a version of Riot that is a cross between a continuation and a tribute band: Riot V. Their first CD, Unleash the Fire, shows not only that his band's output will survive his passing, but that they can even produce an album close to the quality of their 1988 classic, Thundersteel. The melodies and riffs of this one do more than just continue Riot's excellent track record; they bring back the lingering magic of this band's sound that reached full flower in the 80s.

Pebbles is an extensive series of compilation albums in both LP and CD formats that have been issued on several record labels, though mostly by AIP. Together with the companion Highs in the Mid-Sixties series, the Pebbles series made available over 800 obscure, mostly American "Original Punk Rock" songs recorded in the mid-1960s - primarily known today as the garage rock and psychedelic rock genres - that were previously known only to a handful of collectors. In 2007, the release of the Pebbles, Volume 11: Northern California CD marked the final album in the Pebbles series (curiously, Vol. 12 had been issued in 1999).
Though 1972's Nuggets compilation reawakened listeners to the sounds of mid-'60s garage rock, it only focused on the tip of the iceberg…