Inishmore is a the tenth studio and conceptual album that draws heavily on Celtic and Irish myths and sagas, with a strong focus on the island of Inishmore (Inis Mór), the largest of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, Ireland. The core theme is set around the era of the Great Irish Famine (1845–1852), a tragic period that caused mass emigration, disease, and evictions.
The narrative, although not following a strict operatic track-by-track structure, captures the profound emotions of loss, yearning, and hope characteristic of that time:
Young men and women face the desperate circumstances of famine and poverty, forcing them to leave their homeland and their loved ones.
The lyrics explore the fight for freedom (Liberty), the downfall of powerful figures (Kings Are Falling), and the resilience of the human spirit (The Man).
The heart of the concept is a romantic story that culminates in the concluding trilogy of the album. In "Inishmore (Forsaken Heart)," a young man discovers his true love has sailed away from Inishmore due to the famine. The instrumental finale, "Inishmore," then lifts the tone with a charming yet hopeful motif. Despite the distance and the passing of time, the man is committed to waiting for his love forevermore on the hills of Galway, giving the album a poignant sense of eternal hope and romance amidst tragedy.
The Concept Behind Inishmore
(From the original CD booklet)
During the great famine in Ireland(1845-1850) many people emigrated to America and other parts of Great Britain. For some there was no choice, they were forced to leave becouse of eviction and unemployment. The situation become so bad, that fear of starvation coused with spread panic and propelled people to ports to escape the beteriorating conditions Many even traveld during winter, risking their lives in violent winter storms,among the places hardest hit by the famine werhe the western counties of Mano, Calre, Galwan. The story of Inishmore for saken (hard) is about a young boy from Inishmore,the largest of the Uran islands about 30 miles out in Galwan Bay,who discovers that his true love and her family have gone to Galwan hoping to find passage to America. Desperate to find her, he journeys to Galwan only to be saddened by rumors that she's gone forever. He's heart full of sorrow, but still hopeful of her return, he vows to wait in the hills of Galwan forever more.
The album opens with the instrumental track "Black Water," which immediately establishes the Celtic atmosphere with the prominent use of the fiddle (violin), setting the stage for the epic journey.
This is followed by the strong and aggressive power metal track "Angel Eyes," which became one of the album's signature songs, defining the musical direction of the record. Tracks like "Liberty" and "Kings Are Falling" focus on themes of defiance, freedom, and the collapse of authority, all highly resonant within the context of Irish history.
"The Man" and "Gypsy" explore individual characters—either a hero embodying strength or a wanderer/outsider, a common figure in Celtic lore.
The album culminates with the "Irish Trilogy," which tightly binds the conceptual threads:
Inishmore (Forsaken Heart)": A short, emotional ballad where the lyrics directly reveal the loss and the departure of the beloved.
Inishmore": The main instrumental track. It incorporates the theme from the ballad but elevates it to a heroic and optimistic tone, emphasizing commitment and enduring hope in love.
Danny Boy" (often a bonus track): A powerful, traditional Irish folk song that, in Riot's power metal arrangement, firmly solidifies the band's tribute to Irish culture and music.
Message from Mark Reale (1997)
It's great to be back with a new album and Ep.As some of you might be aware that the last two years have been difficult for Riot becouse of legal problems. Finally after reaching a settlement we were able to complete our lates record "Inishmore".
I very much want to thank all of our fans in Japan and the rest of the world for support and belief in Riot as well as the problems. I hope you enjoy the music on our nde album and Ep as much as all the members of Riot enjoyed creating this music. I feel that this album and Ep presents a new beginnig of Riot. We plan to do much more touring in coming year,and we are all looking forward to seeing you on our upcoming Japan tour.
As always it's your endless support that has inspired to continue with Riot. Again we sincerly thank you all and will see you soon, shine on !
Mark Reale
Liner nots (2017)
Mark Real's vision for Inishmore was to write an album of music paying tribute to the melodic and ryhtmic qualaties of traditional Celtic and Irish music. Of coures it was to be mixed with aggresive rock approach he helped pioneer.I'm sure it's not suprise that Thin Lizzy got mentioned more then few time during the writing process.
I remember Mark showing up at my studio with a music book filled with songs and melodies written out in traditional music natation. I wass using guitar tab ath the time becouse it was just quicker and easier. We met 2 or 3 times a week for a few months. My job was to harmonize every melody he wrote. Black water, Angle eyes the song Inishmore and all the rest were done one painstaking note at a time.We trided every harmony possible until we had exactly what Mark wanted. It was the best and most challenging music lesson of my life.
Mike Dimeo was truly incredible on this record. Mark loved his voice and really enjoyed writng for him.Bobby Jarzombek and Pete Perez were brilliant with harnessing the differnt rhythms and grooves tha where a slight departure from usual Riot catalog.
Upon the realese of Inishmore we started touring more and Riot started to realize a resurgance. I really felt that i was a part of Riot masterpiece. I know if Mark was still with us he would have written a follow up at some point. In my opinion Inishmore is one of Mark Reale's greatest achievments along Fire Down Under and Thundersteel.
Mike Fyntz
Produced by Mark Reale & Paul Orofino
Recorded at Millbrook Sound Studios, Milbrook New York
Engineered by Paul Orofino
Rhythm section recorded at Studio M, San Antoniko Texas
Engineered by Marius Perron
Assisted by Jim Littleton
Additonal engenieering: Bryan Scott
Additional strings and acoustic guitars recorded 'Drumstick'
Sound production Dix Hills New York
Engineered by Kevin Dunne
Mixed at Milbrook Sound studios, Milbrook New York
Mixing enginner :Paul Orofino
Matered by Joseph M. Palmaccio at Sterling Sound
Remastered version: by Patrik W. Engel at Temple of Dishharmony in March 2017
Cover concept: Vinny Cimmio and Mark Reale
Graphic design :Vinny Cimmio and Karl- Heinz Schuster
Photography : Mark Reale and Steve Divis
