Riot (V) – Mean Streets
Release Date: 10th May 2024
Label: Atomic Fire Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Heavy Metal
FFO: Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Helloween, Saxon, Accept.
Review By: Eric Wilt
I have gone on record here saying that I’ve bought more than a few albums on the merit of artwork alone. I’ve struck out a couple of times, but generally I’ve found awesome artwork equals awesome music. The same goes for avoiding albums with questionable artwork. To be honest, I’ve voted for Riot/Riot (V) for worst artwork of all time on more than one online poll. I mean, their mascot is a cute anthropomorphic seal, usually in a pose that looks highly unlikely even as anthropomorphic seals go. Therefore, I’ve never even given Riot (V) a chance because I couldn’t get past the artwork. Until now, that is.
When I saw that Riot (V) had a new record coming out, I thought reviewing it would be the perfect opportunity to see what else they bring to the table besides silly (though often well rendered) album covers, and I’m glad I did.
The first thing that jumped out at me when I hit play on the new album, Mean Streets, is that Todd Michael Hall, Riot (V)’s singer, has some serious pipes! The guy can wail! They also layer and harmonize the vocals really well, resulting in an overall impressive vocal display. Musically, Riot (V) plays heavy metal. Their songs contain some speed metal influences, some power metal influences, and even some hard rock influences, but in the end, it’s all just good ol’ fashioned Heavy Metal. The instruments are played expertly by bassist Don Van Stavern, lead guitarist Mike Flyntz, drummer Frank Gilchriest, and rhythm guitarist Nick Lee, and the songs are anthems meant to get the fists of the battle jacketed masses pumping in the air.
As for the songs themselves, there isn’t a bad one on the whole album. Whether it be the speed metal ragers like Hail to the Warriors, High Noon, and Lost Dreams, or the heavy metal anthems like Love Beyond the Grave and Feel the Fire, or rockers like Before this Time, which sounds like what would happen if Queen played metal, every song is memorable and enjoyable, making Mean Streets one of the best albums I’ve heard this year. As kids, we’re told not to judge a book by its cover, and if I had learned my lesson then, I’m sure I would’ve listened to, and loved, Riot (V) a lot sooner. But it’s not all bad because my first Riot (V) album, Mean Streets, is a great one, and now I’ll have the pleasure of making my way through their back catalog, which I have no doubt I will thoroughly enjoy.
(4 / 5)
