Interview by Robert Cavuoto
RIOT V will release its 17th studio album, Mean Streets, on April 12th via Atomic Fire Records.
RIOT’s brand of Heavy Metal was born on the streets of New York in 1975 with a dangerous and calamitous sound of chains, leather, motorbikes, recklessness, and lawlessness.
Mean Streets tells the story of the band’s legacy! Written in the chaos of these past years and recorded in their various home studios in Michigan, Texas, and New Jersey with three different producers, the first few seconds of the album capture the power and intensity the band has always stood for. Riot V continues to remain steadfast and true to the band’s legacy with its most stable line-up since 2012, having Todd Michael Hall on vocals, Donnie Van Stavern on bass, Mike Flyntz on guitar, Nick Lee on guitars, and Frank Gilchriest on drums.
Their musical tradition continues by combining heavy metal and aggressive sound while injecting a good dose of melody. It is evident in their latest singles, “Feel the Fire” and “High Noon.” The album features twelve tracks infused with intelligent lyrical content, thundering guitar riffs, and Todd’s soaring vocals. Mean Streets furthers the band’s sonic evolution to the next level and is guaranteed to enthrall metal music fans worldwide. From the first guitar riff of album opener “Hail of the Warriors” through the driving outro of album closer “No More,” it is clear RIOT V is back.
Preorder Mean Streets here: riotv.afr.link/meanstreetsPR.
I had the opportunity to speak with bassist Donnie Van Stavern about the importance of continuing to make music, how each song should have a killer riff, what influences his writing, and why this is the band’s most stable line-up. Check out our interview, and please share it on you socials and subscribe to our YouTube channel. 🙂
Follow Riot V here: www.facebook.com/riotrockcity
