Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By DIO, BMG 2020.
Here’s one for the metalheads amongst us.
It’s been 10 years since the death of Ronnie James Dio from stomach cancer.
To commemorate his life and work, BMG Records will reissue DIO’s four studio albums recorded between 1996 and 2004.
The albums have been newly remastered by long-time collaborator, Wyn Davis and they are available in all formats – vinyl LP, CD and 2CD, streaming/digital and include rare and previously unreleased tracks and media book packaging, etc.
These aren’t the first DIO reissues. Four live albums have already been given the full treatment: Man On The Silver Mountain – recorded live on the Angry Machines Tour, Lord Of The Last Day – recorded live on The Magica Tour, Holy Diver – recorded live on the Killing The Dragon Tour, and Heaven and Hell – recorded live on the Master Of The Moon Tour are already available.
The reissued LPs are particularly interesting. They come in 180 gram black vinyl and include the original track listings as a limited edition run, with LP-sized lenticular art print.
As a special bonus, the Magica double LP also includes a 7” single featuring Electra – the only known completed track from the planned, but never completed, Magica 2 album.
If your finances can stretch to it, the deluxe CD/Digital editions are the ones to go for because the bonus albums are a treasure trove of interesting live and otherwise unusual material.
It’s interesting to study the band line-ups for the four albums. Much has been written about Dio’s abrasive nature and unpredictability and maybe the line-ups from this period lend some credence to those rumours, for it seems that Dio is the only consistent band member across the four albums.
Dio certainly polarizes metal fans. I happen to like the stuff he did with Richie Blackmore in Rainbow, but a good friend of mine reckons he ruined Black Sabbath. Each to their own.
I believe that Dio certainly contained one of the great voices of heavy rock.
These reissues will be available from March 20, so note it down in your calendar.
