NYC's Ryder to Ride into TO with 'Mean Man' Chris Holmes, in Support of 'Menagerie'

jaybroderick
14 minutes ago
2 min read

By: Jay Broderick - One year shy of their 10th birthday, Ryder is a band out of Queens, NY that has been rocking the scene since 2016. After recent lineup changes, the band is currently consisting of James Ryder on vocals and guitar, Max Knight on lead guitar, Bill Peluso on drums and Rod Viquez on bass. The quartet is gearing up for their gig here in Toronto at The Rockpile on September 27.

The visit here for the NYC rockers is in support of W.A.S.P guitarist 'Mean Man' Chris Holmes, who is making his second visit to Toronto after playing the same venue earlier this year in March. Ryder is also playing shows in support of their latest album Menagerie which was released on January 31, 2025.

Ryder's Menagerie is a gloves-off, 10 track, relentless display of rock and roll! From the album's opening track "One Eye Open", we're immediately thrust into a gritty anthem that quickly sets the tone for the raw emotion to come over the next 3/4 of an hour. The groove-fueled, white-knuckle riffs continue with the album's second track (and second released single) "Queen Viper's Kiss", a story of seduction with a venomous bite, both lyrically and musically.

"Southbound", the first single for this offering from Ryder, was released in November of 2024. This track is a three minute electric, fist pumping throw back with a 1980s edge that will have you scratching to break free. Even James Ryder's vocals have that razor-edged delivery that simply screams rock and roll.

"With Love", "Heart of Stone" and "Eulogy" are much more melodic offerings, but the heavy hitting kicks back into high gear on the most recent single "Walk the Wire". For me though, the heaviest track on the album is "From the Dark". As the name implies, it's a heavy bleeding, slow burn soaked in dread and despair, and likely my favourite track on the record.

The album's title track is an 8 minute ride that is layered with tempo and time changes, which drives the story deeper and deeper. It's the band's epic magnum opus thus far in their careers that easily highlights their writing capabilities. It's a track that will not easily be equaled, and perhaps one that will set the bar for these New York City musicians.

Menagerie closes out with a final melody entitled "If It Were". After the previous 42 minutes, it's a peaceful end that you can drift away with. Well, at least the end for this particular statement from Ryder. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of much more to come.

Track Listing

One Eye Open (3rd single)

Queen Viper's Kiss (2nd single)

Southbound (first single)

With Love

Heart of Stone

Walk the Wire (4th single)

From the Dark

Eulogy

Menagerie

If It Were

Tickets to Ryder's September 27th gig at the The Rockpile, in support of The Mean Man, can be had HERE. Believe me... it'll be a can't miss!!