Riot changed their name to Riot V after guitarist Reale died in 2012 following a lifelong battle with Crohn's disease. The name change was in recognition of the fact 56-year-old Reale was the last remaining original member of the group.

The band was asked by Mark's family to continue in his honor and will dedicate the new effort to him. Unleash The Fire will be available as a digipak version with one bonus tack, a double gatefold colored vinyl version with one bonus track, as a standard version and as a digital download.