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RIOT
Shine On Reissue
Metal Blade Records

One of America's great unsung bands is RIOT. Sort of. And I say 'sort of' because any Metalhead worth their salt knows of early RIOT. Fire Down Under has stood the test of time as a desert island must-have. The 70's releases with Guy Speranza and the early 80's with Rhett Forrester are also bonafide stalwarts of the genre. But RIOT slugged on into the 90's and kept going into the new millennium. Unfortunately the musical tastes of some punters and various other factors always kept RIOT from seeing the stardom they so richly deserved. And when I say RIOT, I'm speaking of the late, great Mark Reale. It was he and he alone, who kept the band going as the only original member, forging ahead even when the latest trend was well against him. That being said, he had a revolving cast of characters (all extremely talented. No slugs in RIOT).

So even if you followed the band back then, no guarantees that your favorite band member would be around from one album or tour to the next.

So bearing all that in mind, it's great to see Metal Blade Records see fit to rerelease the RIOT catalog to those who missed it originally back in the day or to those youngsters just now digging into the classic RIOT discography.

Shine On was originally released in 1998, and was recorded live on their Japanese Tour that year. And let me say that Japan has ALWAYS been hip to great fans, with a rabid fanbase to boot. How many bands have released Live albums from there? JUDAS PRIEST, CHEAP TRICK, DEEP PURPLE, I could go on forever. Remember the pictures of KISS in the 70's on their sold-out Japanese Tours??? Of course you do.

The RIOT that graces this recording had Mike DiMeo (MASTERPLAN and JOHNNY WINTER) on vocals, Pete Perez (SYRUS, KARION & SPASTIC INK) on bass, Mike Flyntz (Reale's longtime 2nd guitarist) and Bobby Jarzombek (FATES WARNING, HALFORD & JUGGERNAUT among others) holding down the drums, and Mr. Reale on lead guitar obviously.

The songs cover more of that era RIOT, which for those not familiar with the late 90's output, it's a perfect opportunity to see what it was all about. '97's Inishmore was the latest album out, so it's well represented by "Angel Eyes", "Kings Are Falling" and the moving "Irish Trilogy", among others. The Brethren Of The Long House from '95 has a couple, '93's Nightbreaker brings "Soldier", Thundersteel from '88 lends the title track and "Bloodstreets", and finally for the old guard, the elder RIOT is held down by the staples "Swords And Tequila", "Outlaw" and the mighty "Warrior" ends things off proper. But because this is a rerelease, we are blessed to get 2 bonus tracks not available on the original release, which are the title track to Nightbreaker and "Watching The Signs" off of Inishmore. More bang for your hard earned back is never a bad thing!

The sound is great, the band is flawless, and the crowd is into it. It's everything you're wanting and expecting with the name RIOT on it. If you're a casual fan, a great way to visit the history (somewhat) of a great American Metal band. If you're and Old-Skool fan, maybe it'll turn you onto RIOT tracks you might have missed out on before. And if you're a RIOT completist, then maybe the two bonus tracks might well entice you to grab this new version. I'd say something for everyone if you ask me.

Shine On Warrior......

For my Vinyl family, I was well shocked to learn there was no Vinyl release for this, at least not at this present time. Very disappointing indeed.

4.0 Out Of 5.0 Skulls

Grab your copy of the Shine On Bonus Edition Reissue in the KNAC.COM More Store right HERE.