by Alexandra Mrozowska
– Senior Columnist —
As for Riot, the band wouldn’t have needed any introduction among the metal circle – there’s an entire generation of fans who banged their heads and pumped their fists to anthems such as “Warrior” or “Thundersteel” this exceptional band produced. But as we all know, Riot’s history ended in 2012 with the passing of its founding member, a guitarist Mark Reale… or maybe it didn’t…? In the end it turns out it wasn’t calling all things Riot quits as Mike Flyntz (guitar) and Don Van Stavern (bass), who played in the band’s last line-up until Reale’s untimely death, decided to carry on. They adopted a “new” name – which is Riot with “V” added, not particularly brilliant or innovative, but instantly recognizable among the fans. Subsequently, the new line-up was formed, consisting of the two plus a guitarist Nick Lee, a drummer Frank Gilchriest (Virgin Steele, Riot’s Army of One) and a singer Todd Michael Hall (Burning Starr, Reverence). Fast forward to October 2014 and now we can take a closer look upon the first release by the reformed Riot V – Unleash The Fire.
Said to be a continuation of Riot’s legacy, the so-called Riot V members are apparently not to speak idly. Skimming through the subsequent song titles on the back cover of Unleash The Fire, from “Ride Hard Live Free” and “Metal Warrior” to “Return Of The Outlaw,” you may have a feeling the content on the album is solely based on metal clichés and epic stories about leather-clad warriors riding through the storm on their steel horses. Many a headbanger would have cracked a smile at such a prospect, as metal nowadays often deflects from such aesthetics. Fortunately, also music-wise Unleash The Fire is everything the same orthodox metalheads – staunch Riot fans in particular – could have ever asked for. Even the cover artwork has a potential to become an instant classic as the references are simply obvious.
An opening part to “Ride Hard Live Free” is a piece of grandiose, monumental guitar wizardry that smoothly morphs into a fast-paced power metal gallop, completed with high-pitched vocals of Todd Michael Hall that are considerably reminiscent of Tony Moore’s much favored singing manner. “Metal Warrior” is another wonderfully clichéd heavy/power metal piece that simply has it all, a guitar-laden stampede with an almost anthem-ic lyrical quality to it, studded with an excess of “wings of steel,” “heavy metal thunders” and “blackened shields.” Speaking shortly, you’ll end up having your both fists raised up high and bringing some serious damage to your vocal chords as well as the household’s supplies of glasses while trying to imitate the Hall’s equilibristic final scream. And remember it’s just the song number two…
“Fall From The Sky” is a bit different sound-wise. It’s flavored with distant echoes of thrash metal and perhaps slightly rawer, especially due to the restless rhythm section that’s given more exposure to it within the song’s structure. “Bring The Hammer Down” and the title track bring a handful of fast riffs and more modern, slightly distorted guitar sound into the picture. With its powerful melody and classic metal vibe to it, “Land Of The Rising Sun” is the monumental sound of 1988 Thundersteel album re-visited, and a perfect treat for every old-school headbanger. “Kill To Survive” juxtaposes modern-sounding, heavy riffs with the majestic power metal-esque vocals and huge choruses, its follow-up “Return Of The Outlaw” being a bit more straightforward, but nevertheless neatly melodic track. With its soaring melody, a ballad-esque, atmospheric “Immortal” is one of the album’s highlights together with the next track “Take Me Back” – a solid dose of rich lead guitar work in the background of the captivating, powerful choruses. Again, Tood Michael Hall’s vocal performance, a dead ringer for the fan favorite Tony Moore, is to be distinguished and appreciated here. “Fight Fight Fight” is a track Hammerfall and DragonForce should both have studied meticulously one note after another so as to reach Riot’s level of excellence in terms of perfect melodies versus the furious pace. It’s also embroidered with a splendid, majestic guitar solo that has almost neoclassical feeling and vibe to it. Due to the wistful guitar sound and heartrendingly emotional vocal parts, “Until We Meet Again” bears a close resemblance to what is perhaps the best-known song of Riot’s aforementioned Thundersteel – “Bloodstreets”. Lyric-wise, this next-to-last track on the album is a tribute to the band’s deceased member Mark Reale together with the bonus track which is a live rendition of “Thundersteel” featuring Reale on guitar. Some less obvious references to Reale’s persona are also embroiled into the other songs, to be found and interpreted by a careful listener.
Unleash The Fire is an album full of well-tried formulas, worn-out tricks and metal clichés exploited to the utmost – not only a worthy successor of Thundersteel, but even a mirrored reflection of Riot’s 1988 endeavor. There’s nothing new in this handful of majestic, guitar-laden, power metal anthems adorned with the equilibristic vocal parts sung in a high-pitched voice… but there’s just a thin line between the “clichéd” and “classic” in metal sometimes. And with the assumption Riot V was founded so as to continue the legacy of the classic Riot sound, it’s a logical continuation rather than a process of recycling of the old ideas caused by the lack of new ones. All these considerations aside, however, the facts are that Unleash The Fire is simply a great album on its own – a well-performed one with multitude of references to the classic heavy and power metal sound that are simply enjoyable for the listener. Especially those who find the Tony Moore-fronted incarnation of Riot and the Thundersteel era the most appealing will treasure the new album the most. Riot V is thus a fine successor to its mother band’s legacy, their effort being not only one of the best heavy/power metal albums of the year 2014, but also the one the late Mark Reale would have probably been proud of. Much recommended.
Genre: Power Metal, Heavy Metal
Band:
Don Van Stavern – bass
Mike Flyntz – guitars
Nick Lee – guitars
Todd Michael Hall – vocals
Frank Gilchriest – drums
Track List:
1. Ride Hard Live Free
2. Metal Warrior
3. Fall from the Sky
4. Bring the Hammer Down
5. Unleash the Fire
6. Land of the Rising Sun
7. Kill to Survive
8. Return of the Outlaw
9. Immortal
10. Take Me Back
11. Fight Fight Fight
12. Until We Meet Again
13. Thundersteel (live bonus track)
Label: Steamhammer, SPV
Website: http://www.areyoureadytoriot.com/ – https://www.facebook.com/riotrockcity
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10
MASTERPIECE!