RIOT Issues Statement On Mark Reale's Death

As The Gauntlet first announced earlier tonight, founding Riot guitarist Mark Reale passed away following two weeks in a coma. The band has just issued the following statement regarding his passing:

"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."

Mark was 57. He had been in a coma for the last two weeks following a subarachnoid hemorrhage on January 11.

RIOT recently played two shows sans Reale and is currently taking part in 70,000 Tons Of Metal, a four-day all-heavy metal cruise which set sail on Monday, January 23 aboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas from Miami, Florida.

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Tags:  Mark Reale, Riot, death  

Jason Fisher    January 25, 2012