The older I get, the harder it is to drag my ass to a show on a “school night”, and I’m only 25. That said, sometimes there are bills that come around which can’t be avoided. Stage said bill at the greatest venue on earth (Reggies) and I’m there. That was exactly the case this past Sunday, when Riot V and Leatherwolf gave the Chicago hordes a double dose of old school US metal. It was a small, but mighty crowd. If you were one of the lucky ones, feel free to use this review as a trip down memory lane. And if you weren’t, here’s how it all went down…
Leatherwolf
Full disclosure: I couldn’t help but feel a tad skeptical leading up to Leatherwolf’s long awaited set. Its been a little over a decade since they last graced the Chicagoland area. In the years since, the band has gone through a complete rehaul, with only drummer Dean Roberts remaining from their ’80s heyday. However, over the course of an all too quick 40 minutes, and a setlist that leaned heavily on the classics, this new and rebooted Leatherwolf reeled me in hook, line, and sinker.
At the forefront of the fold is new singer Keith Adamiak. While Adamiak isn’t a vocal doppelganger of original frontman Michael Olivieri, he tackles his material well, from USPM hymns like “Spiter” and “Alone in the Night”, to arena metal anthems like “Street Ready” and “Thunder”. A pair of new songs in “Kill the Hunted” and “Nobody” were thrown in as well, which showcased the band retreating to their early USPM roots. As I found myself with my fist raised in the air, triumphantly shouting along to “The Calling”, any skepticism I had entered this show with had quickly dissipated. Leatherwolf can still bite!
Setlist
- “Behind the Gun”
- “Rise or Fall”
- “Spiter”
- “Nobody”
- “Alone in the Night”
- “Street Ready”
- “Kill the Hunted”
- “Rule the Night”
- “Thunder”
- “The Calling”
Riot V
Next up, the main event, and boy what an event it was. Hot off the heels of their brand new album, Mean Streets, Riot V came storming back to Reggies Rock Club, celebrating nearly half a century of heavy metal history. Granted, this particular lineup wasn’t there from day one. In fact, the involvement bassist Don Van Stavern and guitarist Mike Flyntz date back to 1988 and 1989 respectively. That said, they’re both crucial members to the Riot fold, and alongside founding guitarist Mark Reale (rest in power), helped craft some of the most important US metal albums of all time (Thundersteel, anyone?).
From the moment Riot V took the stage, it was a nonstop old school metal assault, with even the newest additions to the setlist boasting as much firepower as the classics. When it came to cuts like “Feel the Fire” and “Hail to the Warriors”, many in the crowd found themselves singing along by the second chorus. If they weren’t familiar beforehand, they sure were by now. And as far as the hits go, well, what can be said that hasn’t been said already? Are you really an old school metalhead if you haven’t air guitared, headbanged, and sang along to “Swords and Tequila” at least once in your life?
Indeed, the tequila bottle was passed around generously, thanks to band leader DVS, but that didn’t stop Riot V from being on their A game, especially when tackling the lion’s share of what some would argue is the band’s defining moment, Thundersteel. From the high speed heroics of the title track to the melancholic balladry of “Bloodstreets”, the triumphant majesty of “Fight or Fall” to the over the top pomp of “Johnny’s Back”, Riot V executed these songs with such precision and supremacy, that many couldn’t help but harken back to the age old question: Why aren’t these guys headlining jam packed arenas?
Admittedly, that’s a loaded answer that goes as far back as the ’70s, one that’s tackled rather well in this here Classic Rock retrospective. As much as I’d love to see Riot V finally get their “due” so to speak, in the same breath, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy having them to myself, as if they’re the US metal scene’s own little secret. Ironic that I’m typing this about a band who predated the US metal scene altogether, but I digress. By the time midnight rolled around, the mean streets of Chicago had been claimed by Johnny the Seal and his gang. Be sure not to miss them when they roll through your town!
Setlist
- “Hail to the Warriors”
- “Fire Down Under”
- “Victory”
- “Feel the Fire”
- “Road Racin'”
- “Fight or Fall”
- “Bring the Hammer Down”
- “Outlaw”
- “Flight of the Warrior”
- “Restless Breed”
- “Bloodstreets”
- “Take Me Back”
- “Love Beyond the Grave”
- “Metal Warrior”
- “Swords and Tequila”
- “Thundersteel”
Encore
- “Johnny’s Back”
- “Sign of the Crimson Storm”
Remember asking after the show why they were not a bigger band. I have been there listening to them from the very beginning and find myself asking that question everytime I see them. Spot on review and I agree they should be much bigger !