Mark Reale, the founding guitarist of the legendary metal band RIOT has died. He was admitted to San Antonio hospital last week in critical condition due to complications of Crohn's disease — an ailment he has battled for most of his life. Mark was 57.

R.I.P.

R.I.P. Mark.

I'm very sad to hear this...

R.I.P.

This is terrible news...

R.I.P.

R.I.P.

He will be greatly missed.

R.I.P.

Absolutely gutted.

that's a shame.

Very sad news.

R.I.P Mark.

Jesus Christ.

This is terrible news.

Interestingly, the last riot album title was immortal soul.

Mark will live through his music

R.I.P

Awful news. In the past year Riot has gone from being a band I knew and happened to have a cd of, to one of my absolute favorites. I am deeply saddened to hear this

RIP

RIP

What a sad news, what a way to wake up... I was already scarred sinsce I heard he was in a coma. Thoughts and prayers to his family, bandmates en friends and fans!

The worst news since Dio and Peter Steele died.

Absolutely terrible and my heart goes out to his family, friends and band mates.

I have been following Riot for a number of years now and have been gradually adding their albums into my collection. This was a band I had hope to see live one day unfortunately it didn't happen and won't happen either.

Riot was imo one of the most underrated American heavy metal bands. Changing line-ups and a style that didn't really fit in any predetermined category may have held Riot back from achieving the same stardom that same level of mainstream popularity their peers achieved. This however translated into years of uncompromising, creative and true heavy metal material.

Mark and Riot (assuming they do not continue) will be sorely missed from the metal scene.

Yet another heavy metal hero has fallen.

I have a lot of respect for this man because he always stayed loyal to hard rock and heavy metal and never experiment with smurf poo music, alternative sounds etc....he deserves respect for that from all real metalheads. HAIL TO MARK REALE forever. RIP

I have to admit, this is probably the first musician death to really hit me in the gut since Dio.

Thundersteel was the first real speed-metal album I ever heard and Riot were perhaps the first "underground" (or at least somewhat) metal band that I ever got into. I was immediately a convert. After that I heard Fire Down Under and I've been a big fan ever since. I always respected this man's dedication, and no matter what the line-up or style Riot always put out solid and frequently classic material. He will be dearly missed.

Part of me would not be opposed to the remaining members continuing on, but I kinda figure this is the end of the line. Sucks.

Sad news, indeed.


R.I.P. Mark

Sad...

RIP

Immortal Soul is a good way to say goodbye. RIP

RIP

Damn. What a lousy way to start off my morning. Rest in peace Mark.

Very sad. R.I.P. brother.

He was very gracious to us at this lil dive in Philly. It saddens me that this great band is at it's demise. This makes three, two talented singers and one of the most under-rated guitarist/song writers of his generation. Almost said mine, but he was a bit older. RIP

Only the good die young....

RIP Mark