Heavy Metal Power

Another hero gone. Mark Reale, band leader of Riot for so many years has died. It’s staggering to look back at the number of fantastic metal classics this guy has been not only part of, but the main songwriter of. This guy’s been putting out records for nearly 35 years!

I consider the following must own classics:

Rock City (1977)
Narita (1979)
Fire Down Under (1981)
Restless Breed (1982)
Born In America (1983)
Thundersteel (1988)
The Privilege of Power (1990)

Fire Down Under is so incredible! I listen to it all the time. But really I can’t say I’ve heard a bad Riot album. Sadly I have never seen them live. :-( RIP Mark, your musical legacy will live on.

Mark Reale, the founding guitarist of the legendary metal band RIOT, passed away earlier today (Wednesday, January 25) in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn’s disease — an ailment he has battled for most of his life. He was 56 years old.

Reale had reportedly been in a coma for the past two weeks after suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage on January 11.

Mark spent most of his life working and performing while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment for Crohn’s disease. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn’s symptoms, leaving him in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility. Mark was struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of RIOT’s new album, “Immortal Soul”, and guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the LP with Mark’s creative direction while Reale was unable to perform.

Along with the rest of metal fans, I hope Tony gets through this OK and lives a great many more healthy and productive years. Best of luck Tony.

“With the news that Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time. Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan–the “IRON MAN” of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.

“This comes as Black Sabbath–Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums)–are writing and recording their first album in 33 years in Los Angeles (still set for release this fall) with producer Rick Rubin. They will now go to the UK to continue to work with Tony. Further information will be released as it becomes available.”

From Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s website:

What Is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is the name for a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

In 2010, about 628,415 people are living with lymphoma or are in remission (no sign of the disease). This number includes about 153,535 people with Hodgkin lymphoma and 474,880 people with NHL.

Hodgkin lymphoma has characteristics that distinguish it from other diseases classified as lymphoma, including the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These are large, cancerous cells found in Hodgkin lymphoma tissues, named for the scientists who first identified them. Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable forms of cancer.

NHL represents a diverse group of diseases distinguished by the characteristics of the cancer cells associated with each disease type. Most people with NHL have a B-cell type of NHL (about 85 percent). The others have a T-cell type or an NK-cell type of lymphoma. Some patients with fast-growing NHL can be cured. For patients with slow-growing NHL, treatment may keep the disease in check for many years.

One of my favorite bands, King’s X, will tour North America this spring for their first West Coast run in three years with a tour named the “First Church Of Rock And Roll”. The four-week trek will start on March 28 in Austin, Texas and run through April 21 in Denver, Colorado. It will be the first time the band have played most of these cities since 2009, and will mark their first West Coast dates in support of “Live Love In London”, the live CD/DVD follow-up to latest studio release, “XV” (which rules).

KING’S X 2012 tour dates:

Mar. 28 – Dirty Dog Bar – Austin, TX
Mar. 29 – Warehouse Live Studio – Houston, TX
Mar. 30 – Trees – Dallas, TX
Apr. 01 – House of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX
Apr. 03 – The Rock – Tucson, AZ
Apr. 05 – Key Club – West Hollywood, CA
Apr. 06 – Brick by Brick – San Diego, CA
Apr. 07 – The Coach House – San Juan, CA
Apr. 10 – Don Quixote’s – Felton, CA
Apr. 12 – Cargo – Reno, NV
Apr. 13 – The Boardwalk – Orangevale, CA
Apr. 14 – Pound West Oakland – Oakland, CA
Apr. 17 – Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
Apr. 18 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA
Apr. 21 – Herman’s Hideaway – Denver, CO

They are not getting any younger so if you’re a fan you know how great they are, don’t miss ‘em! And if you haven’t seen them do it!!

US speed metallers Helstar have announced that they will be celebrating the band’s 30 year anniversary by recording an upcoming show for a DVD. The band issued the following: “Happy new year everyone! Can you believe that 2012 marks 30 years since the formation of Helstar? This calls for an epic celebration!”

“We are thrilled to announce that a special Helstar 30th Anniversary Concert will take place in Houston, Texas on Saturday, March 24th at Warehouse Live! The entire show will be audio & video recorded and later released as the first official live Helstar album and DVD! Tickets are on sale now at this location!:
http://warehouselive.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?a=1&lid=63404&eid=71956”

I remember back in 86 Remnants of War was constantly played on my turntable. Helstar has put out quality metal for many years and is definitely a classic band. I love ‘em. Happy anniversary Helstar!

Guitar player Larry “Rhino” Reinhardt, a Bradenton native who founded CAPTAIN BEYOND, died from a respiratory infection Monday at Manatee Memorial Hospital. He was 63.

Captain Beyond’s self titled album from 1972 is one of the best hard rock records of the 70s. I freaking live that album. If you haven’t heard you MUST! Spotify link to Captain Beyond

RIP Larry.

The original line-up for Captain Beyond were singer Rod Evans, drummer Bobby Caldwell, guitarist Larry “Rhino” Reinhardt, bassist Lee Dorman and keyboardist Lewie Gold. Rhino Reinhardt and Dorman also had played in Iron Butterfly.