Ronnie James Dio, arguably metal's most enduring and well regarded heavy metal vocalist returns with his first new work in four years. Likewise, it marks 35 years as a recording musician.
But don't expect a concept record in the standard sense of the word. Having seen many attempts amongst his metal compatriots through the years, Dio has something special in store. As is befitting his proven literary stature, the critical mass of the album itself is cloaked in allegory and metaphor, abstraction to the point where little of the plot can be ascertained within the flow of the songs. Such Illumination is left for the booklet, as well as the 20 minute narration from Ronnie that caps off the album.
Ronnie explains: "Not ever having done this before, and wanting to take some time with it, didn't want to be foolish about it. These things can turn out pretty strange. It has it's peaks and valleys of course, but it has to tell a story. I didn't want to do it all in verse. So it tells the story in music as well, with lots of high relief, shade and light. It's much more involved that the things we've done before, but again it retains the character of Dio music. As well, the songs can be removed from the whole process and stand on their own, so much so, that I've provided the narration. I'm trying to tell as much as I can in the music, but I want something extra.
But in essence, it's a journey that should be consumed from beginning to end." Musically Ronnie's band has turned in a regal, self assured, timeless performance as befits their veteran status within metals upper echelon's. On guitar and as co-writer, Dio welcomes back Dream Evil axeman Craig Goldy. Simon Wright also returns to the fold having pounded the skins for 1990's Lock Up The Wolves.
And last but definitely not least, Magica marks the return of bass legend Jimmy Bain, having worked with Ronnie during Rainbow's golden era. So everything points to a return: a reunion of personnel, a reinvigoration back to the roots of Dio's creative high points (Ronnie feels the records specifically invokes the spirit of Holy Diver, Mob Rules and Long Live Rock and Roll), and given the weighty grooves enclosed, a return to the critical and commercial stature Ronnie commanded through much of the '80's.
Magica awaits...
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ELF 1972 (EPIC RECORDS)Track list: 1. Hoochie Koochie Lady 5:32 2. First Avenue 4:23 3. Never More 3:50 4. I'm coming back for You 3:27 5. Sit Down Honey (Everything will be Alright) 3:48 6. Dixie Lee Junction 5:09 7. Love me like a Woman 3:47 8. Gambler, Gambler 4:26 Notes: Lineup Ronald Padavona (aka Ronnie James Dio)- Bass, Vocals, David Feinstein - Guitar, Gary Driscoll - Drums, Mickey Lee Soule - Piano |
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CAROLINA COUNTY BALL 1974 (LINE RECORDS)Track list: 1. Carolina County Ball 4:48 2. L.A. 59 4:22 3. Ain't It All Amusing 4:59 4. Happy 5:20 5. Annie New Orleans 3:00 6. Rocking Chair Rock 'n' Roll Blues 5:38 7. Rainbow 4:00 8. Do The Same Thing 3:17 9. Blanche 2:11 Notes: Lineup Ronnie Dio - Vocals, Mickey Lee Soule - Keyboards, Vocals, Gary Driscoll - Drums, Percussion, Craig Grubber - Bass, Steve Edwards - Guitar |
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TRYING TO BURN THE SUN 1975 (MGM Records)Track list: 1. Black Swampy Water 2. Prentice Wood 3. When She Smiles 4. Good Time Music 5. Liberty Road 6. Shotgun Boogie 7. Wonderworld 8. Streetwalker Notes: Lineup Ronnie Dio - Vocals, Mickey Lee Soule - Keyboards, Vocals, Gary Driscoll - Drums, Percussion, Craig Grubber - Bass, Steve Edwards - Guitar. The Elf Lineup minus Steve Edwards would join Richie Blackmore to form the first incarnation of Rainbow. |
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RICHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW 1975Track list: 1. Man on the Silver Mountain 4:37 2. Self Portrait 3:12 3. Black Sheep of the Family 3:19 4. Catch the Rainbow 6:29 5. Snake Charmer 4:30 6. The Temple of the King 4:43 7. If you don't like Rock 'n' Roll 2:35 8. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 3:29 9. Still I'm Sad 3:52 Notes: Lineup Ritchie Blackmore - Guitar, Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Gary Driscoll - Drums, Craig Gruber - Bass, Mickey Lee Soule - Piano, Mellotron, Clavinet & Organ. |
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RISING 1976Track list: 1. Tarot Woman 6:08 2. Run with the Wolf 3:47 3. Starstruck 4:04 4. Do you close your Eyes 2:58 5. Stargazer 8:27 6. Light in the Black 8:11 Notes: Lineup Jimmy Bain - Bass, Ritchie Blackmore - Guitar, Toney Carey - Keyboards, Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Cozy Powell - Drums |
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ON STAGE 1977Track list: 1. Kill the King 5:32 (Blackmore/Dio/Powell) 2. Man on the Silver Mountain 4:12 (Blackmore/Dio) 3. Blues 4:02 (Blackmore) 4. Starstruck 2:58 (Blackmore/Dio) 5. Catch the Rainbow 15:35 (Blackmore/Dio) 6. Mistreated 13:03 (Blackmore/Coverdale) 7. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 7:36 (Blackmore/Dio) 8. Still I'm Sad 11:01 (Samwell-Smith/McCarty) Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Ritchie Blackmore - Guitar, Cozy Powell - Drums, Tony Carey - Keyboards, Jimmy Bain - Bass |
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LONG LIVE ROCK 'N' ROLL 1978Track list: 1. Long Live Rock 'n' Roll 4:20 2. Lady Of The Lake 3:37 3. L.A. Connection 4:58 4. Gates Of Babylon 6:47 5. Kill The King 4:27 6. The Shed (Subtle) 4:45 7. Sensitive To Light 3:02 8. Rainbow Eyes 7:31 Notes: Lineup Ritchie Blackmore - Guitar / Bass, Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Cozy Powell - Drums, Bob Daisley - Bass, David Stone - Keyboards |
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HEAVEN AND HELL 1980Track list: 1. Neon Nights 3:49 2. Children of the Sea
5:30 3. Lady Evil 4:22 Notes: Lineup Tony Iommi - Guitar, Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Geezer Butler - Bass, Bill Ward - Drums, Geoff Nicholls - Keyboards |
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MOB RULES 1981Track list: 1. Turn up the Night 3:42 2. Voodoo 4:32 3. The Sign of the Southern Cross 7:46 4. E5150 2:54 5. The Mob Rules 3:14 6. Country Girl 4:02 7. Slipping Away 3:45 8. Falling off the edge of the World 5:02 9. Over and Over 5:28 Notes: Lineup Vinnie Appice - Drums, Geezer Butler - Bass, Ronnie Jame Dio - Vocals, Tony Iommi - Guitar, Geoff Nicholls - Keyboards |
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LIVE EVIL 1982Track list: Disc 1: 1. E5150 2:21 2. Neon Knights 4:36 3. N.I.B. 5:09 4. Children of the Sea 6:08 5. Voodoo 6:07 6. War Pigs 9:19 7. Iron Man 7:29.. Disc 2: 8. The Mob Rules 4:20 9. Heaven and Hell 12:04 10. The Sign of the Southern Cross/Heaven and Hell (Continued) 7:15 11. Paranoid 3:46 12. Children of the Grave 5:25 13. Fluff 0:59 Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Geezer Butler - Bass, Tony Iommi - Guitar, Vinnie Appice-Drums, Geoff Nichols-Keyboards |
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DEHUMANIZER 1992Track list: 1. Computer God 6:10 2. After All (The Dead) 5:37 3. TV Crimes 3:58 4. Letters from Earth 4:12 5. Master of Insanity 5:54 6. Time Machine 4:10 7. Sins of the Father 4:43 8. Too Late 6:54 9. I 5:10 10. Buried Alive 4:47 11. Time Machine (Wayne's World Version) 4:18 Notes: Lineup Geezer Butler - Bass, Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Tony Iommi - Guitars, Vinny Appice - Drums, Geoff Nicholls - Keyboards. |
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HOLY DIVER 1983Track list: 1. Stand up and Shout 3:15 2. Holy Diver 5:54 3. Gypsy 3:39 4. Caught in the Middle 4:15 5. Don't Talk to Strangers 4:53 6. Straight through the Heart 4:32 7. Invisible 5:26 8. Rainbow in the Dark 4:15 9. Shame on the Night 5:20 Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals/ Keyboards, Vinny Appice - Drums, Jimmy Bain - Bass/ Keyboards, Vivian Campbell - Guitar |
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THE LAST IN LINE 1984Track list: 1. We Rock 4:35 2. The Last in Line 5:48 3. Breathless 4:09 4. I Speed at Night 3:26 5. One Night in the City 5:14 6. Evil Eyes 3:38 7. Mystery 3:55 8. Eat Your Heart Out 4:02 9. Egypt (The Chains are On) 7:02 Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals/ Keyboards, Vinny Appice - Drums, Jimmy Bain - Bass, Vivian Campbell - Guitar, Claude Schnell - Keyboards |
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SACRED HEART 1985Track list: 1. King of Rock and Roll (Live) 3:49 2. Sacred Heart 6:27 3. Another Lie 3:48 4. Rock 'n' Roll Children 4:32 5. Hungry for Heaven 4:10 6. Like the beat of a Heart 4:24 7. Just another Day 3:23 8. Fallen Angels 3:57 9. Shoot Shoot 4:20 Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Vinny Appice - Drums, Jimmy Bain - Bass, Vivian Campbell - Guitar, Claude Schnell - Keyboards |
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INTERMISSION 1986Track list: 1. King of Rock and Roll 3:41 2. Rainbow
in the Dark 4:42 3. Sacred Heart 6:23 4. Time to Burn
(Studio Cut) 4:25 Medley: 5. Rock 'n' Roll Children 9:40 Notes: Recorded Live at the San Diego Sport Arena. Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Vinny Appice - Drums, Jimmy Bain - Bass, Craig Goldy- Guitar, Claude Schnell - Keyboards |
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DREAM EVIL 1987Track list: 1. Night People 4:06 2. Dream Evil 4:26 3. Sunset Superman 5:45 4. All the Fools Sailed Away 7:10 5. Naked in the Rain 5:09 6. Overlove 3:26 7. I could have been a Dreamer 4:42 8. Faces in the Window 3:53 9. When a Woman Cries 4:43 Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Vinny Appice - Drums, Jimmy Bain - Bass, Craig Goldie - Guitars, Claude Schnell - Keyboards |
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LOCK UP THE WOLVES 1990Track list: 1. Wild One 4:02 2. Born on the Sun 5:39 3. Hey Angel 4:59 4. Between two Hearts 6:27 5. Night Music 5:05 6. Lock up the Wolves 8:30 7. Evil on Queen Street 6:01 8. Walk on Water 3:42 9. Twisted 4:44 10. Why are they watching Me 5:00 11. My Eyes 6:34 Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Rowan Robertson - Guitars, Jens Johansson - Keyboards, Simon Wright - Drums, Teddy Cook - Bass |
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DIAMONDS THE BEST OF DIO 1992Track list: 1. Holy Diver 5:51 2. Rainbow in the Dark 4:15 3. Don't talk to Strangers 4:53 4. We Rock 4:32 5. The Last In Line 5:44 6. Evil Eyes 3:36 7. Rock 'n' Roll Children 4:31 8. Sacred Heart 6:24 9. Hungry for Heaven 4:09 10. Hide in the Rainbow 4:04 11. Dream Evil 4:24 12. Wild One 4:01 13. Lock Up the Wolves 8:30 Notes: Best of album, Imported from England. |
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STRANGE HIGHWAYS 1994Track list: 1. Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost 4:13 2. Firehead 4:06 3. Strange Highways 6:54 4. Hollywood Black 5:10 5. Evilution 5:37 6. Pain 4:14 7. One foot in the Grave 4:01 8. Give her the Gun 5:58 9. Blood from a Stone 4:14 10. Here's to You 3:24 11. Bring down the Rain Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Vinny Appice - Drums, Tracy G - Guitars, Jeff Pilson - Bass & Keyboards |
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ANGRY MACHINES 1996Track list: 1. Institutional Man 5:08 2. Don't tell the Kids 4:19 3. Black 3:10 4. Hunter of the Heart 4:13 5. Stay out of my Mind 7:11 6. Big Sister 5:35 7. Double Monday 2:55 8. Golden Rules 4:54 9. Dying in America 4:38 10. God Hates Heavy Metal, Japanese CD only 11. This is your Life 3:25 Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Tracy G - Guitars, Vinny Appice - Drums, Jeff Pilson - Bass, Scott Warren - Keyboards |
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INFERNO-LAST IN LIVE 1998Track list: Disc 1 1. Intro 1:36 2. Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost 3:27 3. Straight through the Heart 5:47 4. Don't talk to Strangers 6:02 5. Holy Diver 4:59 6. Drum Solo 4:01 7. Heaven and Hell 7:29 8. Double Monday 3:18 9. Stand up and Shout 4:08 10. Hunter of the Heart 5:15. Disc 2 11. Mistreated (Catch the Rainbow) 10:11 12. Guitar Solo 3:38 13. The Last in Line 6:54 14. Rainbow in the Dark 4:56 15. The Mob Rules 3:37 16. Man on the Silver Mountain 2:11 17. Long Live Rock and Roll/Man on the Silver Mountain (Continued) 4:14 18. We Rock 5:40 (Dio) Notes: Recorded in Chicago & Schaumburg, Illinois;
New York City; Bremen, Germany; Tokyo, Japan. Lineup
Ronnie James Dio - Vocals, Vinny Appice - Drums |
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MAGICA 2000 (Spitfire Records)Track list: 1. Discovery 2. Magica Theme 3. Lord of the Last Day 4. Fever Dreams 5. Turn to Stone 6. Feed My Head 7. Eriel 8. Challis (Marry The Devil's Daughter) 9. As Long As It's Not About Love 10. Losing My Insanity 11. Otherworld 12. Magica Theme reprise 13. Lord of the Last Day reprise 14. Magica-The Story Notes: Lineup Ronnie James Dio-vocals, Craig Goldy-guitar, Jimmy Bain-bass, Simon Wright-drums. |
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