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Riot Guitarist Mark Reale Passes Away
Riot guitarist and founding member Mark Reale passed away yesterday (January 25th) due to complications from Crohn's disease. He was fifty seven years old. He had been in a coma since January 11th as a result of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. He had battled the disease for most of his life, and was bravely attempting to practice to perform with the band at their scheduled shows, before his condition worsened. His band mates have issued the following statement:
"To friends and fans of Mark Reale and Riot, we are deeply saddened to confirm that Mark has lost his battle with a lifelong illness. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated by Mark's family, friends, and bandmates at this difficult time."
Metal Blade founder and CEO Brian Slagel commented:
"I was a huge fan of Riot's Fire Down Under album and got to interview them for my fanzine. Great guys and I was lucky enough to finally re-issue Fire Down Under and the other early Riot albums on Metal Blade. We signed the band for their second run, so to speak, and put out some records in the '90s that did well, especially in Europe and Japan. It was a pleasure working with them and Mark was always a kind soul — an amazing player who really has a big time place in the history of metal. One of the really nice guys who put out some incredible stuff."
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31 Comments on "Riot Guitarist Passes Away"


7. writes:
It is a tragic day for anyone into classic hard rock and heavy metal.To many of us, Mark Reale epitomized talent, humility, and resilience. He was a natural musician and a true survivor. To say he would be sorely missed would be an understatement. With Mark's passing, the world has been robbed of one of the finest live acts. I'm sure the legions of Riot supporters worldwide would join me in offering sincerest condolences to his friends and family; for many of us, Mark has been a part of our family for years, and we truly share the weight of this grave loss.
16. writes:
This is such sad news, RIP Mark your music will not be forgotten - you will be the "Immortal Soul" through Riot's metal legend.
I personally hold "Thundersteel" to be one of the greatest metal albums of all time, no mincing words. They one band who always stood tall for metal and with their latest album it finally seemed like they'd get the credit they always deserved - it was also my album of the year.
18. writes:
CROMcarl: These guys were right there "when the dam began to burst". Everybody knew who Saxon and Maiden were, but only the hardcore metalheads knew about Riot and 9 out 10 of those hardcore metalheads were musicians who were trying to work Swords and Tequila into their setlists. Myself included. I believe Mark's was the first "machine gun" riff I'd ever heard. Bought everything they released until Rhett was killed by a fvcking crackhead (such a senseless crime and waste of amazing talent). Then I kida lost track of them until Thundersteel and this last release.
19. writes:
Well said! I even have Rhett's solo records! I followed Riot from the mid-80's until now. Even the Mike DiMeo years were amazing. "Nightbreaker" is and all to often overlooked classic. "Brethren of the Long House" was brilliant as was "Inishmore." "Army of One" was incredible. Its so sad how many classics this band has put out throughout all the adversity, deaths and ignorance they went through - but still they persevered. I never was more excited to hear that the "Privledge of Power" lineup was back. I tracked "Immortal Soul" from the moment I knew it was going to happen, and it almost didn't!
24. writes:
What the fvck man...this is some bullsh!t, what terrible news...goddamn
Blind, ya nailed it brother... So few people I run into EVER seem to know who they are, or appreciate them if they do
I used to have to tell my thrasher buddies to go fvck themselves when they'd poke fun at my Born in America record...they didn't even know what the fvck they were talkin about
Riot is fvckin awesome \m/
NP---Gunfighter--- BIA
25. writes:
I would love to do a piece on it, but I would bequeath that honor (if it was mine to bequeath) to the mighty Cynic! I think I would sound like a blubbering idiot, half in tears as I write it. Yeah, I'm not ashamed to admit that this one hit me really friggin hard today!



28. writes:
This deeply saddens me. The world was a better place with Mark Reale. Immortal Soul is the best album this year and the title makes you wonder if he knew he wasn't long for this world. His soul is Immortal and his work will live on in our ears and our hearts forever. R.I.P. my brother. We will all miss you.

29. writes:
--"Bought everything they released until Rhett was killed by a fvcking crackhead (such a senseless crime and waste of amazing talent). Then I kida lost track of them until Thundersteel and this last release."
Rhett Forrester was shot in early 1994, a full decade after leaving Riot. "Thundersteel" came out in 1988, 8 years prior...


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1. CROMCarl writes:
This is so devastating! I don't know what to say. The moment the band makes its finest album, we lose a legend!