Mean Streets

Mean Streets is a 2024 album on which Riot V powerfully sounds the style of dashing power metal. It faithfully inherits the band’s tradition of uniting speed and lyricism, built by founder Mark Reale. Sharply running twin guitars, a powerful high vocal, fist-raising big choruses and songs full of stylistic beauty run throughout. From the powerful, declarative drive of the opener “Hail to the Warriors” and the aggression of “Feel the Fire” to the drama of the title track “Mean Streets,” every song has a sharp, Riot-like speed and a sure melodic sense, while a cut like “High Noon” conveys the band’s present fullness. It is a record proving that, even having overcome a long history, many lineup changes and the difficulty of the founder’s passing, Riot’s musical spirit is powerfully inherited. It earnestly sounds the appeal of traditional power metal with high present-day playing. Showing that, even as veterans, their passion and ability have not dimmed at all, it is a powerful, fulfilling work.