_{“Unleash the Fire” is the first album from Riot V and it was released through Steamhammer / SPV on 27th October. Riot V is the natural successor to power metal band Riot, following a decision to rename the group after the death of founder Mark Reale in January 2012.  Former Riot members Mike Flyntz on guitar (since 1989), Don Van Stavern on bass (from 1986 originally) and Frank Gilchriest on drums (from 2003 originally) are joined by Todd Michael Hall on vocals and Nick Lee on guitar. “Unleash the Fire” is a very fitting addition to the Riot discography albeit under a different name.}

_{The story of New York band Riot is fairly well documented. The band had a significant level of success in the late 70s / early 80s before morphing in the late 80s into a more power-metal outfit. The band went through numerous line-up changes over the years, releasing albums at a fairly steady rate. Shortly after the release of “Immortal Soul” in October 2011, founding member,  guitarist Mark Reale died from complications resulting from Crohn’s Disease.}

_{The album is released in several versions including limited digipak and double-LP format. A live recording of the title track of the band’s iconic “Thundersteel” album (released in 1988) is included on some of these. Prior to Reale’s untimely death there had been much discussion about reforming the “Thundersteel” era Riot for a tour in 2012.}

_{About “NI Rocks Recommends”}

_{The simple idea behind “NI Rocks Recommends” is to acknowledge and promote some of the great music being submitted to Rock Radio NI. To be honest I’m not really a big fan of “Reviews” expressing positives or negatives which essentially just represent one person’s opinion. With “NI Rocks Recommends”, I'll not be giving marks or ratings or dissecting every aspect of the album; just telling you something about the artist and the album and that I like it!}

_{My musical tastes covers most things from heavy melodic rock (anything too melodic bores me!) to the lower echelons of the metal genre (where it’s not ALL growling and screaming!). The albums that I’ll be recommending are merely those that I would buy myself and which you’ll be hearing played on my shows on Rock Radio NI.}

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