Nuclear Blast has announced the signing of cult New York heavy metal band Riot V, who will be inducted into the prestigious Heavy Metal History Hall Of Fame 2018.

Hardly any other metal act has such a long, absorbing history behind it. Since the quintet formed in 1975 they have been hit by several severe strokes of fate during their long career. With Rhett Forester (R.I.P. 1994), Guy Speranza (R.I.P. 2003) and Mark Reale (R.I.P. 2012) - three deceased members have left their mark on the four decades of Riot’s band history.

Since their legendary debut album Rock City (1977), Riot has released numerous heavy metal classics, including Fire Down Under (with classics like "Swords And Tequila"), their masterpiece Thundersteel (1988), and the unforgotten The Privilege Of Power (1990).

After the death of Mark Reale and the departure of Tony Moore, Todd Michael Hall (from Michigan, USA), completed the lineup of the band, which in the meantime performed under the name of Riot V under the auspices of the two long term members and main songwriters Donnie van Stavern (bass) and Mike Flyntz (guitar). With the critically acclaimed Unleash The Fire (2014), a pure power metal jewel once again underlined the musical importance and influence of the quintet.

Many artists name-check Riot as an important influence of their musical career and have paid tribute to the power metal godfathers on multiple occasions. The list is long and includes several well-known acts such as Hammerfall, Luca Turilli's Rhapsody, Axel Rudi Pell and newcomers such as Night Demon, Alpha Tiger, Savage Master, and Stallion.

"Riot V is proud to announce our union with the mighty Nuclear Blast label! Two true metal visionaries meet to unleash an assault on all you metal warriors of the world! Its really awesome to be on "THE" metal label and have so much respect and excitement between us. We are in great hands and it’s always nice to have a mutual vision of what this band needs to be thrust back onto the metal battlefield and with our thousands of metal soldiers supporting and fighting with us. This will be the start of a great relationship - and it doesn’t hurt that some of the Nuclear Blast staff are long-time fans! Now let's start a riot! Shine On!", commented Don van Stavern.

Riot V are busy recording the follow up to the come back record Unleash The Fire, which entered the Hard Rock 100 Billboard charts at #75. The new disc will be released in spring 2018 and production duties will be handled by producer whiz Chris "The Wizard" Collier (Metal Church, Flotsam And Jetsam, Slipknot).

The new songs promise to please fans of the Thundersteel-era of Riot, as main song writer and long time Mark Reale music collaborator Don Van Stavern undertakes a lot of the writing as he did on Thundersteel, The Privilege Of Power and the latest offering Unleash The Fire.

Don van Stavern adds: "This next offering will please long time fans and create new ones, as the material is fresh and Power Metal at it’s finest."

Riot V truely are metal soldiers and will keep marching and fighting the good fight to bring you the music you’ve come to know, love and expect from Riot V.

In addition, Riot V will return to Europe for some live shows in December.

December
1 - Valladolid, Spain - Sala Porta Caeli
2 - Barcelona, Spain - Sala La Nau
3 - Irun, Spain - Sala Tunk
5 - Nicosia, Cypress - Red Live Club
6 - Thessaloniki, Greece - Eightball
7 - Crete Heraklion, Greece - Cine Studio
8 - Athens, Greece - Kyttaro
9 - Rome, Italy - TBA

2018 will see Riot V headline Germany’s Headbangers Open Air. More tour dates to be announced.