RIOT V – Mean Streets

vote
7.5

• Bands:
  RIOT V
• Duration: 00:51:33
• Available from: 10/05/2024
• Label:

• Atomic Fire

Donnie Von Stavern doesn't give up, on the contrary, he continues straight ahead, like a smoking wheel of a roaring Harley Davidson, while leaving his indelible mark on the asphalt.
And it is with this image that we welcome the new adventure of Johnny, the seal-man of heavy metal, undisputed protagonist of the history of Riot (before) and Riot V (today), finally back in action after six years of silence, led once again by the American bassist.
It was in fact 2018 when the New York quintet released the excellent “Armor Of Light”, the second album released after the death of Mark Reale in January 2012. A full-length that had highlighted all the potential of a band capable of launching the first signs of a certain solidity, both in terms of line-up stability (often a weak point in previous years) and from the point of view of the spirit of action, put to the test by the premature demise of the historic guitarist.
Warnings that find further recognition with the present “Mean Streets”, an authentic hymn to the street, melodic and gritty roots of the metal proposed by the American band, rightfully paying homage to those albums that are fundamental for the future history of Riot, as well as that way of understand the heavy/speed made in the USA: from “Rock City” to “Fire Down Under” up to the inevitable “Thundersteel”.
“Mean Streets” tells this legacy in detail: it narrates the eternal love for an immortal genre, combining the heavy of the early days with the strength of power metal. Visceral passion, also demonstrated, as mentioned, by the rockiness of a formation that has reached its third consecutive job, and whose result is clear and striking.
In addition to the guarantee and the brand ensured by the presence of Von Stavern himself, it is certainly Todd Michael Hall's performance that gives the album that extra element, capable of going beyond simple clean and graceful singing. In fact, from the vocal chords of the American singer, that mix of melody and determination, the absolute symbol of the New York group, shines through: and you just need to listen to the first part of the album (up to “Higher”) to have the demonstration of what has just been written.
But in reality it is the whole band who build twelve songs (of which a couple, in truth, could perhaps have remained in the drawer) direct, with an immediate impact, 100% catchy, also favored by a more than good production: from the opener “Hail To The Warriors”, to the choral and priest-like “Feel The Power” (did you say “Grinder”?), from the lightning-fast “High Moon” and “Higher” to the melodic “Love Beyond The Grave” and “Mean Streets”, without forgetting “Lost Dreams” – the classic hits to listen to on the road, continuously pushing the throttle, hurtling towards freedom.
Was it worth the wait? Certainly, and now we just have to listen: “the longevity of a band comes from good music” Reale said one day, and as long as Riot V produces similar records, the legacy left by Mark himself is absolutely not in danger.