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R.I.P. Mark Reale 1955-2012

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 January 26 2012 at 08:12:14 AM



Flight of the Warrior. Though some may not realize it, Riot is among the longest-running Heavy Metal acts in the world, perhaps the longest-running in America, and as an American band stood strong through a decade dominated by such giants as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead and Accept. And though these names still overwhelmingly dominate the world of Metal today, it’s clear upon reflection that none have braved the winds of change more adeptly than the New York-based outfit led by guitarist/songwriter Mark Reale, who died last night after falling into a two week long coma due to complications from Crohn’s disease.

News of Mark’s illness and turn for the worst came just as the remaining members of Riot (singer Tony Moore, guitarist Mike Flyntz, bassist Don Van Stavern and drummer Bobby Jarzombek) were set for a slate of live concerts along the East Coast and afterward the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise. For anyone who plans on playing the classic Riot albums Fire Down Under, Thundersteel, and Narita for the next week, it’s impossible to be less than amazed by their latest and sadly, likely final album, Immortal Soul.

Preparing a review of the album just a few weeks ago, I wrote in my journal that I wished Riot had the same publicist as a band like Anthrax. But the reality is that no matter who takes notice, this is a band who will be writing, playing, recording music until earth and fire claim them back home. Lifers like Anvil—even Motorhead—are still junior to Riot’s astoundingly consistent 30-year, 14 album career that peaked as the band gradually grew  from a hard rock act to Heavy Metal vanguard and finally into Speed Metal powerhouse on 1988’s Thundersteel. They saw more clearly than anyone the writing on the wall with centerpiece ballad’s “Bloodstreets,” and “Johnny’s Back;” both songs portraying street kings and elder rockers in the midst of change, returning home to scenes hostile and unfamiliar, songs warning that nothing stays the name. That refrain is amended today as Riot welcomes back Thundersteel-era singer Tony Moore for the strongest “comeback” since Megadeth’s Endgame, to scream with conviction: “nothing changes, nothing stays the same.”

With Reale in the hospital, and at the urging of his family, Riot continued with this month’s scheduled dates, including a heroic opening performance by the band and guitarist Mike Flyntz in particular in New York City last week. Making the event all the more poignant was the presence of Reale’s guitar case standing just to the right of center stage—the man remaining there in spirit, as he will forever continue to do.

Shine On.

[Todd DePalma]

 
type: news    keywords: riot, hevay metal, real metal, mark reale, warrior,   

Comments (3)

  • 4 comments
    keogh
    12:58 PM on Jan 29, 2012 // reply »
    Amen
  • 9 comments
    Nekromantis
    4:53 AM on Feb 03, 2012 // reply »
    What a shame. He was truly one of the Great Heavy Metal Persons. Fortunately his name will live on and he will continue speaking to us through all those great RIOT albums.

    <i>"Heat seekers flash headed straight for your heart
    One finds the mark and a fireball rocks the clouds
    Men and machines sweet and deadly we are
    We rule the wind on titanium wings
    Plunging back from the chase
    One more champion erased
    I am the last and the plaster of my art
    Until I am challenged again"</i>
  • 9 comments
    Nekromantis
    4:54 AM on Feb 03, 2012 // reply »
    Oh.. No italics for me then. :)
 

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