ITP V.012: ONLY ONE PER COFFIN: R.I.P. MARK REALE (GUITARIST RIOT)

U.S. based metal veterans RIOT have sadly announced long time guitarist MARK REALE has passed away to Crohns Disease at 57. RIOT guitarist MARK REALE had been admitted to a San Antonio hospital in critical condition due to complications of Crohn's disease. Subsequently, he was not able to perform the band's recent shows in the Northeast and aboard the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise to Grand Cayman.

RIOT's original vocalist Guy Speranza died on 11/8/2003 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 47. Guy Speranza was replaced by Rhett Forrester. Forrester left RIOT in the mid 80's to pursue a solo career, only to be murdered on January 22, 1994 in Atlanta.


RIOT guitarist MARK REALE had reportedly been in a coma for the past two weeks after suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage on January 11.

FROM RIOT:
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.

FROM BRIAN SLAGEL (METAL BLADE RECORDS):
"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 reissue '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."

FROM MARTY FRIEDMAN (MEGADETH):
"I just heard that Mark Reale from RIOT passed away. 'Rock City', 'Narita' and 'Fire Down Under' are three of my favorite albums of all time. I wore all three of them out and have loads of great memories attached to all those great songs. Thank you for the music. Friends please take care of yourselves."

FROM NEIL TURBIN (DEATHRIDERS, EX ANTHRAX):
"RIP Mark Reale 1955-2012 RIOT guitarist and founder. My favorite metal band in high school and one of my greatest musical inspirations of all time. 'Fire Down Under' was such a huge influence on me when I was writing songs like 'Metal Thrashing Mad'. My sincere condolences to Mark's family, friends, fans and bandmates. Shine on, warrior."

FROM MIKE DIMEO (FORMER VOCALIST OF RIOT):
"I'm deeply saddened by the death of Mark Reale. He was a gifted songwriter, great musician and a true friend. I am honored and thankful that I shared many years with Mark touring and recording all over the world, memories that I will carry with me forever.

"Even though, to some, it may seem that he did not achieve massive commercial success, the only thing that Mark cared about was making music that inspired him. He was a true artist and his music is a reflection of that.

"To me, Mark's music is timeless... and I believe his many fans will see to it that his music lives on forever...

"Rest in peace, Mark... I will miss you... and shine on!"

FROM SPV/STEAMHAMMER RECORDS:
"With deep sadness we have to say goodbye to one of the most underrated guitar players and composers on this planet: Mark Reale.

"With albums like 'Fire Down Under' and 'Thundersteel', he created timeless metal music which will stand the test of time for many more decades.

"Last year's studio album 'Immortal Soul' on remains his legacy, and what an album it was: RIOT were back for the attack!

"We will see how the remaining members will handle this but we think that Mark would be very proud of them if they continue and spread the music he created.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mark's family, friends, and bandmates."

Reale died Wednesday (January 25) in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn's disease — an ailment he had 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 is survived by his father, Anthony Reale, and was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Reale.

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.

FROM THE FAMILY OF MARK REALE:
The family of late RIOT guitarist Mark Reale will receive friends on Tuesday, January 31 from 6:00 ot 8:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North in San Antonio, Texas. A mass will be held on Wednesday, February 1 at 12 p.m. at St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church. A processional will follow to Holy Cross Cemetery for interment.

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-RIP MARK REALE-\m/ -l-