

Ci nowojorscy wielbiciele Japonii i fok nie są tak znani fanom heavy metalu jak choćby taki Saxon, a przecież ekipa Guya Speranzy działa na rynku dłużej, bo od 1975 roku.
Dwa lata później wydali już hard rockowy debiut Rock City, z okładki którego szczerzyła się maskotka, wspomniana foka Johnny. Jednak strzałem między oczy był dla mnie drugi album Narita. Wspaniały tytułowy instrumental, fantastyczne Road Racin', rytmiczne Hot for Love czy znakomity cover słynnego utworu Steppenwolf - na dodatek płyta uwodzi znakomitym brzmieniem i świetnymi wokalami Guya.
To samo mogę napisać o następczyni Fire Down Under. To album, który nigdy się nie zestarzeje. Naładowany witalnością i radością z życia, co słychać w Don't Hold Back, nastrojowym Feel the Same czy kapitalnym hymnie Swords and Tequila.
Na następnych dwóch longplayach jednak grupa obniżyła loty, by wznieść się na wyżyny możliwości na Thundersteel. Otwierający utwór tytułowy to już speed metalowy hymn, z kapitalnymi riffami i wymianą solówek. A reszta nie zostaje w tyle - Riot pokazał, że potrafi podkręcić tempo, to już heavy metal pełną gębą. Poziom został utrzymany na następnym The Privilege of Power, jednak był to łabędzi śpiew. Zespół wydawał regularnie albumy, jednak w żaden sposób nie mogły się równać z wybitnymi poprzedniczkami.
Dopiero wydany w 2011 roku Immortal Soul godnie mógł być stawiany z najwybitniejszymi dokonaniami grupy. Niestety, w następnym roku umiera długoletni wokalista Mark Reale. Muzycy z szacunku do niego zmieniają nazwę na Riot V i w 2014 roku dostarczają kolejne znakomite nagranie, Unleash the Fire.
Grupa działa nadal, a na ten rok planuje wydanie kolejnego studyjnego albumu.
Dyskografia:
1977 - Warrior / Tokyo Rose [single]
1977 - Rock City
1978 - Rock City / Gypsy Queen [single]
1979 - Born to Be Wild / Narita [single]
1979 - Born to be Wild / White Rock [single]
1979 - Narita
1980 - Billy Squier / Riot [split]
1980 - Monsters of Rock [split]
1981 - Outlaw / Rock City [single]
1981 - Fire Down Under
1982 - Riot Live [EP]
1982 - Restless Breed
1983 - Born in America - Radio Sampler [EP]
1983 - Born in America
1984 - Warrior (live version) / Born in America [single]
1987 - Megahurtz [split]
1987 - Riot Mixes [demo]
1988 - Thundersteel
1988 - Thundersteel [demo]
1988 - Thundersteel / Flight of the Warrior [single]
1989 - 1989 Demo [demo]
1989 - Riot Live [live]
1990 - The Privilege of Power
1992 - 1992 Demo [demo]
1992 - Riot in Japan - Live!! [live]
1993 - Nightbreaker
1993 - Star Box [kompilacja]
1995 - The Brethren of the Long House
1997 - Inishmore
1997 - Angel Eyes [EP]
1998 - Shine On [live]
1999 - Sons of Society
2000 - Riot Live in Osaka +2 [live]
2002 - Through the Storm
2005 - The Tyrant Sessions [single]
2006 - Army of One
2009 - Thundersteel / The Privilege of Power [kompilacja]
2011 - Immortal Soul
2014 - Unleash the Fire
2016 - Restless Breed / Riot Live [kompilacja]
2017 - The Official Bootleg Box Set Volume 1 – 1976-1980 [boxed set]
2018 - The Official Bootleg Box Set Volume 2 – 1980-1990 [boxed set]
2018 - Armor of Light
2018 - Live at Keep It True Festival 2015 [live]
Skład:
Don Van Stavern - Bass (1986-1990, 2008-present) Evil United, ex-Narita, ex-S.A. Slayer, Pitbull Daycare, The Devil's Jukebox, ex-Mark Reale Project, ex-Seance
Mike Flyntz - Guitars (1989-present) ex-Faith and Fire
Frank Gilchriest - Drums (2003-2007, 2014-present) Feanor, Liege Lord, ex-Virgin Steele, ex-Holy Mother
Todd Michael Hall - Vocals (2013-present) Harlet, Jack Starr's Burning Starr, Todd Michael Hall, ex-Reverence, ex-Pulling Teeth
Nick Lee - Guitars (2014-present) Moon Tooth, ex-Exemption
▼ Byli muzycy
Phil Feit - Bass (1975-1976) ex-Adam Bomb, ex-Billy Idol
Peter Bitelli - Drums (1975-1979) ex-Green Tea, ex-Kon Tiki, ex-Stryker, ex-The People
Louie Kouvaris - Guitars (1975-1978) ex-Diamond, ex-Faded Blue, ex-Harlequin, ex-Prism, ex-Satelite, ex-Smoke, ex-Special Forces, ex-Sweetalk, ex-The Hots
Mark Reale - Guitars (1975-1984, 1986-2012) (R.I.P. 2012) ex-Narita, ex-Green Tea, ex-Kon Tiki, ex-Mark Reale Project, ex-The People, ex-WestWorld, ex-Bonnie Tyler (live)
Steve Costello - Keyboards (1975)
Guy Speranza (R.I.P. 2003) - Vocals (1975-1981)
Jimmy Iommi - Bass (1976-1979)
Rick Ventura - Guitars (1978-1984)
Sandy Slavin - Drums (1979-1984, 1986) ex-Harter Attack, ex-Ace Frehley, ex-Adam Bomb, ex-Max Rush, ex-Rex
Kip Leming - Bass (1980-1984) ex-Harter Attack, ex-Mistress, ex-Tank
Rhett Forrester - Vocals (1981-1984, 1986) (R.I.P. 1994) ex-Rhett Forrester, ex-Thrasher, ex-Black Symphony, ex-Jack Starr, ex-Masi, ex-Badlands, ex-Dogbone, ex-Dr. Dirty, ex-Hitman, ex-Mr. Dirty, ex-Rachel, ex-Scarface, ex-Straddle Brothers
Mark Edwards - Drums (1986-1987) ex-3rd Stage Alert, ex-Lion, ex-Mark Edwards, ex-Steeler
Tony Moore - Vocals (1986-1992, 2008-2009, 2010-2013) ex-Faith and Fire, Big Muff π, Immortal Soul
Michael Strike - Vocals (1986) Jag Panzer, Satan's Host, Titan Force, ex-Tyrant, The Three Tremors, ex-Ballistic, ex-Mother Load, ex-Powerslave 2000
Bobby Jarzombek - Drums (1987-1995, 1997-1999, 2008-2014) Arch / Matheos, Fates Warning, Halford, Painmuseum, Zierler, Spastic Ink, ex-Happy Kitties, The Foundry, ex-Iced Earth, ex-Juggernaut, ex-Rob Rock, ex-Sebastian Bach, ex-Blaze Bayley (live), ex-John West, ex-Cheap Evil, ex-Dirty Water, ex-Winterkat
Pete Perez - Bass (1990-2007) Karion, Spastic Ink, ex-Leatherwolf, ex-Syrus, ex-Reverend
Mike DiMeo - Vocals (1992-2004) Creation's End, Midas Fate, Tenpoint, The Lizards, ex-Ilium, ex-Masterplan, ex-Vinnie Moore (live), ex-Gate Three, ex-Johnny Winter, ex-Bonnie Tyler (live)
John Macaluso - Drums (1995-1997) Artlantica, Chris Caffery, John Macaluso & Union Radio, Labÿrinth, Masterlast, Stygia, Unwritten Pages, ex-Ark, ex-MCM, Stone Leaders, ex-Alex Masi, ex-HolyHell, ex-Jorn, ex-Magni Animi Viri, ex-Mastercastle, ex-Powermad, ex-TNT, ex-Vitalij Kuprij, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, ex-Symphony X (live), ex-Fool's Game, ex-Holy Mother, ex-Mullmuzzler, ex-George Lynch, ex-Indigo Dying, ex-Starbreaker
Pat Magrath - Drums (1999-2000) Prototype, ex-Corruption, ex-Harum Scarum, ex-Killing Culture, Ravenscroft, ex-Steel Prophet, ex-Three Sixes, ex-Amerikan Made, ex-Clash of the Titans, ex-Creeping Death (Metallica tribute), ex-Saosin, ex-FEAR (live), ex-Ten Foot Pole (live), ex-The Iron Maidens (live)
Bobby Rondinelli - Drums (2000-2002) Axel Rudi Pell, ex-Warlock, ex-Rondinelli, ex-Sun Red Sun, Over the Rainbow, The Lizards, ex-Doro, ex-Quiet Riot, ex-Rainbow, ex-Black Sabbath, ex-Blue Öyster Cult, ex-Aerosmith (live), ex-Bonnie Tyler (live)
Peter Bitelli - Drums (1975-1979) ex-Green Tea, ex-Kon Tiki, ex-Stryker, ex-The People
Louie Kouvaris - Guitars (1975-1978) ex-Diamond, ex-Faded Blue, ex-Harlequin, ex-Prism, ex-Satelite, ex-Smoke, ex-Special Forces, ex-Sweetalk, ex-The Hots
Mark Reale - Guitars (1975-1984, 1986-2012) (R.I.P. 2012) ex-Narita, ex-Green Tea, ex-Kon Tiki, ex-Mark Reale Project, ex-The People, ex-WestWorld, ex-Bonnie Tyler (live)
Steve Costello - Keyboards (1975)
Guy Speranza (R.I.P. 2003) - Vocals (1975-1981)
Jimmy Iommi - Bass (1976-1979)
Rick Ventura - Guitars (1978-1984)
Sandy Slavin - Drums (1979-1984, 1986) ex-Harter Attack, ex-Ace Frehley, ex-Adam Bomb, ex-Max Rush, ex-Rex
Kip Leming - Bass (1980-1984) ex-Harter Attack, ex-Mistress, ex-Tank
Rhett Forrester - Vocals (1981-1984, 1986) (R.I.P. 1994) ex-Rhett Forrester, ex-Thrasher, ex-Black Symphony, ex-Jack Starr, ex-Masi, ex-Badlands, ex-Dogbone, ex-Dr. Dirty, ex-Hitman, ex-Mr. Dirty, ex-Rachel, ex-Scarface, ex-Straddle Brothers
Mark Edwards - Drums (1986-1987) ex-3rd Stage Alert, ex-Lion, ex-Mark Edwards, ex-Steeler
Tony Moore - Vocals (1986-1992, 2008-2009, 2010-2013) ex-Faith and Fire, Big Muff π, Immortal Soul
Michael Strike - Vocals (1986) Jag Panzer, Satan's Host, Titan Force, ex-Tyrant, The Three Tremors, ex-Ballistic, ex-Mother Load, ex-Powerslave 2000
Bobby Jarzombek - Drums (1987-1995, 1997-1999, 2008-2014) Arch / Matheos, Fates Warning, Halford, Painmuseum, Zierler, Spastic Ink, ex-Happy Kitties, The Foundry, ex-Iced Earth, ex-Juggernaut, ex-Rob Rock, ex-Sebastian Bach, ex-Blaze Bayley (live), ex-John West, ex-Cheap Evil, ex-Dirty Water, ex-Winterkat
Pete Perez - Bass (1990-2007) Karion, Spastic Ink, ex-Leatherwolf, ex-Syrus, ex-Reverend
Mike DiMeo - Vocals (1992-2004) Creation's End, Midas Fate, Tenpoint, The Lizards, ex-Ilium, ex-Masterplan, ex-Vinnie Moore (live), ex-Gate Three, ex-Johnny Winter, ex-Bonnie Tyler (live)
John Macaluso - Drums (1995-1997) Artlantica, Chris Caffery, John Macaluso & Union Radio, Labÿrinth, Masterlast, Stygia, Unwritten Pages, ex-Ark, ex-MCM, Stone Leaders, ex-Alex Masi, ex-HolyHell, ex-Jorn, ex-Magni Animi Viri, ex-Mastercastle, ex-Powermad, ex-TNT, ex-Vitalij Kuprij, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, ex-Symphony X (live), ex-Fool's Game, ex-Holy Mother, ex-Mullmuzzler, ex-George Lynch, ex-Indigo Dying, ex-Starbreaker
Pat Magrath - Drums (1999-2000) Prototype, ex-Corruption, ex-Harum Scarum, ex-Killing Culture, Ravenscroft, ex-Steel Prophet, ex-Three Sixes, ex-Amerikan Made, ex-Clash of the Titans, ex-Creeping Death (Metallica tribute), ex-Saosin, ex-FEAR (live), ex-Ten Foot Pole (live), ex-The Iron Maidens (live)
Bobby Rondinelli - Drums (2000-2002) Axel Rudi Pell, ex-Warlock, ex-Rondinelli, ex-Sun Red Sun, Over the Rainbow, The Lizards, ex-Doro, ex-Quiet Riot, ex-Rainbow, ex-Black Sabbath, ex-Blue Öyster Cult, ex-Aerosmith (live), ex-Bonnie Tyler (live)
▼ Muzycy koncertowi
Phil Feit - Bass (1979-1980) ex-Adam Bomb, ex-Billy Idol
Gerard T. Trevino - Guitars (1984) ex-Krysis
Ligaya Perkins - Vocals (backing) (1998)
Pat Magrath - Drums (1999-2000) Prototype, ex-Corruption, ex-Harum Scarum, ex-Killing Culture, Ravenscroft, ex-Steel Prophet, ex-Three Sixes, ex-Amerikan Made, ex-Clash of the Titans, ex-Creeping Death (Metallica tribute), ex-Saosin, ex-FEAR (live), ex-Ten Foot Pole (live), ex-The Iron Maidens (live)
Randy Coven - Bass (2005-2007) (R.I.P. 2014) ex-Ark, ex-MCM, ex-X-Mas Project, ex-Jack Starr, ex-Magni Animi Viri, ex-Shadow Eden, ex-Vitalij Kuprij, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, ex-Holy Mother, ex-Blues Saraceno, ex-CPR, ex-Randy Coven, ex-The Randy Coven Band, ex-Steve Morse (live)
Mike Tirelli - Vocals (2005-2007) Messiah's Kiss, ex-Last Lix, ex-Strider, ex-X-Mas Project, Big Hair Daze, ex-Jack Starr's Burning Starr, ex-Holy Mother
Dustin Mitchell - Bass (2006) Tramontane, ex-Katagory V
Frank Gilchriest - Drums (2014) Feanor, Liege Lord, ex-Virgin Steele, ex-Holy Mother
Nick Lee - Guitars (lead) (2014) Moon Tooth, ex-Exemption
Lance Barnewold - Guitars (2016-?) Fate Breaks Dawn, Mike LePond's Silent Assassins, ex-Ross the Boss
Rick Ventura - Guitars (2016)
Gerard T. Trevino - Guitars (1984) ex-Krysis
Ligaya Perkins - Vocals (backing) (1998)
Pat Magrath - Drums (1999-2000) Prototype, ex-Corruption, ex-Harum Scarum, ex-Killing Culture, Ravenscroft, ex-Steel Prophet, ex-Three Sixes, ex-Amerikan Made, ex-Clash of the Titans, ex-Creeping Death (Metallica tribute), ex-Saosin, ex-FEAR (live), ex-Ten Foot Pole (live), ex-The Iron Maidens (live)
Randy Coven - Bass (2005-2007) (R.I.P. 2014) ex-Ark, ex-MCM, ex-X-Mas Project, ex-Jack Starr, ex-Magni Animi Viri, ex-Shadow Eden, ex-Vitalij Kuprij, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, ex-Holy Mother, ex-Blues Saraceno, ex-CPR, ex-Randy Coven, ex-The Randy Coven Band, ex-Steve Morse (live)
Mike Tirelli - Vocals (2005-2007) Messiah's Kiss, ex-Last Lix, ex-Strider, ex-X-Mas Project, Big Hair Daze, ex-Jack Starr's Burning Starr, ex-Holy Mother
Dustin Mitchell - Bass (2006) Tramontane, ex-Katagory V
Frank Gilchriest - Drums (2014) Feanor, Liege Lord, ex-Virgin Steele, ex-Holy Mother
Nick Lee - Guitars (lead) (2014) Moon Tooth, ex-Exemption
Lance Barnewold - Guitars (2016-?) Fate Breaks Dawn, Mike LePond's Silent Assassins, ex-Ross the Boss
Rick Ventura - Guitars (2016)