Dio - Dream Evil
Originally released back in 1987, Dream Evil was the fourth album offered up from the one, the only, the almighty Ronnie James Dio, and went down in history as being yet another example of his musical ability, understanding and prowess. To celebrate the man and his legacy, the album has been remastered and re-released as a double CD edition, featuring the original album, and a second bonus disk featuring other tracks from his triumphant gig at the Monsters Of Rock, as well as an expanded booklet with notes by Malcolm Dome.
Following the other reissues of Dios albums, this album has been fully endorsed by his widow Wendy, and is designed to celebrate the era of music which Dio was such a big part of, as well as his own skills and abilities in the world of music. Featuring former Rough Cutt members Craig Goldy and Claud Schnell, this album was also the last album from Dio to feature drummer Vinny Appice, making it a true collectable for fans of Dio and heavy metal alike.
As you hit play on the album it’s striking how fresh it all still sounds, from the opening moments of Night People through to Dream Evil and Sunset Superman, each track seems to flow naturally out of the speakers, sounding almost as if it was only recorded last week. Moving through All The Fools Sailed Away, Naked In the Rain and Overlove, the album continues to serve as a reminder of where the music we hear today has come from, how it developed, and why it had such an impact in an era when the NWOBHM was at full force. I Could Have Been A Dreamer, Faces In A Window and When A Woman Cries bring the album to a close, leaving the listener content, happy, and safe in the knowledge that real music is out there, still being cared for and still being brought to the forefront for new listeners as well as older fans.
With disk 2 we’re presented with further evidence of just how able a musician Dio and his band really were, from the Dio EP track Hide In The Rainbow through to I Could Have Been A Dreamer (single edit), and then onto the live tracks from the bands Monsters Of Rock performance, each track sounds just as fresh as disk 1. More over, what should really be taken from this disk is how able a live band they were, shunning modern digitalisation and auto tuning and instead relying on their own skills, abilities, and passion for the music they were playing. Certainly a disk that collectors will be very interested to hear, as the album comes to a close it seems a fitting tribute to a man who left us all too soon, but left what can only be described as one hell of a legacy for future generations to worship at.
The full tracklisting is as follows:
Disk 1:
Night People
Dream Evil
Sunset Superman
All The Fools Sailed Away
Naked In The Rain
Overlove
I Could Have Been A Dreamer
Faces In A Window
When A Woman Cries
Disk2:
Hide In The Rainbow (Dio EP)
I Could Have Been A Dreamer (Single Edit)
Dream Evil (Donnington – 22/08/87)
Neon Nights
Naked In The Rain
Rock N Roll Children
Long Live Rock N Roll
The Last In Line
Holy Diver
Heaven And Hell
Man On The Silver Mountain
All The Fools Sailed Away
The Last In Line (Reprise)
Rainbow In The Dark
To find out more about Dream Evil from Dio, check out his Facebook page HERE, and the album at the website HERE.
Words: Dave NIcholls
Following the other reissues of Dios albums, this album has been fully endorsed by his widow Wendy, and is designed to celebrate the era of music which Dio was such a big part of, as well as his own skills and abilities in the world of music. Featuring former Rough Cutt members Craig Goldy and Claud Schnell, this album was also the last album from Dio to feature drummer Vinny Appice, making it a true collectable for fans of Dio and heavy metal alike.
As you hit play on the album it’s striking how fresh it all still sounds, from the opening moments of Night People through to Dream Evil and Sunset Superman, each track seems to flow naturally out of the speakers, sounding almost as if it was only recorded last week. Moving through All The Fools Sailed Away, Naked In the Rain and Overlove, the album continues to serve as a reminder of where the music we hear today has come from, how it developed, and why it had such an impact in an era when the NWOBHM was at full force. I Could Have Been A Dreamer, Faces In A Window and When A Woman Cries bring the album to a close, leaving the listener content, happy, and safe in the knowledge that real music is out there, still being cared for and still being brought to the forefront for new listeners as well as older fans.
With disk 2 we’re presented with further evidence of just how able a musician Dio and his band really were, from the Dio EP track Hide In The Rainbow through to I Could Have Been A Dreamer (single edit), and then onto the live tracks from the bands Monsters Of Rock performance, each track sounds just as fresh as disk 1. More over, what should really be taken from this disk is how able a live band they were, shunning modern digitalisation and auto tuning and instead relying on their own skills, abilities, and passion for the music they were playing. Certainly a disk that collectors will be very interested to hear, as the album comes to a close it seems a fitting tribute to a man who left us all too soon, but left what can only be described as one hell of a legacy for future generations to worship at.
The full tracklisting is as follows:
Disk 1:
Night People
Dream Evil
Sunset Superman
All The Fools Sailed Away
Naked In The Rain
Overlove
I Could Have Been A Dreamer
Faces In A Window
When A Woman Cries
Disk2:
Hide In The Rainbow (Dio EP)
I Could Have Been A Dreamer (Single Edit)
Dream Evil (Donnington – 22/08/87)
Neon Nights
Naked In The Rain
Rock N Roll Children
Long Live Rock N Roll
The Last In Line
Holy Diver
Heaven And Hell
Man On The Silver Mountain
All The Fools Sailed Away
The Last In Line (Reprise)
Rainbow In The Dark
To find out more about Dream Evil from Dio, check out his Facebook page HERE, and the album at the website HERE.
Words: Dave NIcholls
Ronnie James Dio
The mere mention of the name Ronnie James Dio induces memories of early metal, when bands relied on their ability rather than pro-tools or digital correction. Although a relatively small man in stature (5ft 4 or so), his influence on the world of metal is still evident today, with bands such as Killswitch Engage covering his tracks, bands citing him as a major influence, and the impact of his death in 2010 still causing shock to fans around the world. Although his albums are nearly 30 years old, they’ve been re-released ready for a new generation, primed to introduce a new generation to his genius and demonstrating where the music they listen to came from.
Universal Music will be re-releasing 3 of his seminal albums as deluxe editions, each featuring 2 CD’s and updated liner notes courtesy of Malcolm Dome. Endorsed by Ronnie’s widow Wendy Dio, these albums are a true celebration of one of the greatest musicians to have ever graced the world of music, allowing fans a chance to relive their memories and celebrate just how fresh his music still sounds today.
Holy Diver:
Holy Diver was the debut album from Dio and was released on the 25th of May, 1983. Described by many as some of his greatest work, this is an album which everyone should own, it’s simply a masterpiece which comes as close to perfection as any band has ever (and potentially will ever) achieved. The new remastered version not only features the full album from 1983, but a second CD of live recordings and two b-sides, never before found on CD.
This is possibly one of Dio’s most famous albums, if only for the track Holy Diver (more recently covered by KSE) which proved to be one of his most successful and famous tracks. It should be remembered though that this album also features tracks like Stand Up And Shout, Gypsy and Rainbow In The Dark, all of which are tracks that demonstrate the versatility of his ability. As you listen to the deluxe version, it’s hard to imagine this music being released back in 1983 as simply, it still sounds so fresh and new. The tracks are vibrant, light and exciting, all showing off perfectly every single element of the band and Dio’s voice. Other highpoints on the album include Straight Through The Heart and Don’t Talk To Strangers, both of which are quite simply stunning tracks, almost sounding reborn and brand new after all this time, it’s a strange feeling knowing you’re being transported back, but an incredible one all the same.
CD2 is the real gem here though, presenting us with 3 B-Sides and a total of 8 live tracks, presenting fans with the chance to hear how powerful Dio really was on the live scene even if they never got to witness it for themselves. Sitting listening to the album I found myself taken back to seeing Dio (I managed it once and it was incredible), the feeling that he commanded from the stage, the feel of the crowd and the immense sound coming from him and the band. Tracks like Evil Eyes , Holy Diver, Man on The Silver Mountain and Children of the Sea all stand out as moments of pure enjoyment, tracks which will sit you back and make you appreciate music all over again.
The Last In Line:
Dio released his second album, The Last In Line, on July 13th 1984 as a follow up to Holy Diver, this time moving towards a more pumping sound and leading to his first ever platinum album. Once again, the re-released version contains the original album as well as live tracks and b-sides galore, enough to keep even the most dedicated fan quiet for weeks on end.
We Rock has always been one of the best Dio songs from my point of view and here on this album, it sounds just as exciting as it did when I first heard it. Powerful and monumentally heavy, this is music to pump your fist in the air to, designed for the live scene and to get crowds involved along with Dio himself. One Night In The City also stands out as another moment of sheer genius, crafting the sort of track which is going to get air guitarists the world over dusting off their faithful instrument and joining in with the ride. Other high points on the album include Mystery, Egypt (The Chains Are On) and Evil Eyes, all still packing enough punch to stand against any of the modern metal bands whilst showing them how it’s really done.
The second CD is once again a treasure trove of exciting moments from this era, featuring live versions of classics such as Don’t Talk To Strangers, Stargazer and Eat Your Heart Out, all recorded at events such as the Pinkpop festival. Once again featuring B-sides to fully complete the collection, those of you who thought that The Last In Line could never be improved have just been proven wrong, this new deluxe version sets a whole new bar for releases – stunning from start to finish.
Sacred Heart:
The third album from Dio, Sacred Heart, is the final deluxe version to be released, once again featuring 21 tracks in total including never released on CD b-sides and more expanded liner notes, completing the collection of Dio albums for the true original fan. Reaching number 4 in the UK charts and achieving RIAA Gold, this was also the last Dio album to feature Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) on guitar, marking a change in the sound of Dio from here onwards.
Classic albums are few and far between, but this is one in the truest sense of the word. Full to the brim with classics such as Sacred Heart, Rock N Roll Children and Hungry For Heaven and packing the trademark Dio sound from start to finish. Tracks such as Another Lie capture the essence of the live show even on a studio recording, demonstrating the power of the band and the incoming technologies which bands were beginning to have at their disposal. Fallen Angels and Shoot Shoot stand out as moments which you can’t help but move to, it’s music designed to have a good time to before bands got too serious about themselves and their message. This is an album which I’ve listened to countless times yet even now, it’s one which brings on the shivers down my spine and reignites that love for Dio’s voice, highly recommended if you’ve not heard it.
The second CD here includes live tracks and b-sides, all of which present us with one final chance to hear how incredible music really was whilst Dio was in charge of releasing it. Powerful and firmly focused on the real sounds of rock/metal, tracks like Hide In The Rainbow, King of Rock N Roll and Time To Burn all take on a new sense of power, a new emphasis if you will, hammering the tracks out at you and making you simply sit in amazement at what you’re hearing.
I’ve often thought that re-releases and deluxe editions are a waste of money, charging fans extra for a mere couple of tracks, but that’s not the case here. What you end up with on all of these albums is a demonstration of what music should sound like, how music should be mixed and how every single vocalist should sound. The cover of Sacred Heart put it perfectly in its own way, saying ‘Finis per somnivm reperio tibi sacra cor veneficvs ostivm avrvm’ – or in other words – ‘I learned of your goals through dreams: a sacred heart, a wizard, a golden door’ – or three spanking albums to get your hands on!
Universal Music will be re-releasing 3 of his seminal albums as deluxe editions, each featuring 2 CD’s and updated liner notes courtesy of Malcolm Dome. Endorsed by Ronnie’s widow Wendy Dio, these albums are a true celebration of one of the greatest musicians to have ever graced the world of music, allowing fans a chance to relive their memories and celebrate just how fresh his music still sounds today.
Holy Diver:
Holy Diver was the debut album from Dio and was released on the 25th of May, 1983. Described by many as some of his greatest work, this is an album which everyone should own, it’s simply a masterpiece which comes as close to perfection as any band has ever (and potentially will ever) achieved. The new remastered version not only features the full album from 1983, but a second CD of live recordings and two b-sides, never before found on CD.
This is possibly one of Dio’s most famous albums, if only for the track Holy Diver (more recently covered by KSE) which proved to be one of his most successful and famous tracks. It should be remembered though that this album also features tracks like Stand Up And Shout, Gypsy and Rainbow In The Dark, all of which are tracks that demonstrate the versatility of his ability. As you listen to the deluxe version, it’s hard to imagine this music being released back in 1983 as simply, it still sounds so fresh and new. The tracks are vibrant, light and exciting, all showing off perfectly every single element of the band and Dio’s voice. Other highpoints on the album include Straight Through The Heart and Don’t Talk To Strangers, both of which are quite simply stunning tracks, almost sounding reborn and brand new after all this time, it’s a strange feeling knowing you’re being transported back, but an incredible one all the same.
CD2 is the real gem here though, presenting us with 3 B-Sides and a total of 8 live tracks, presenting fans with the chance to hear how powerful Dio really was on the live scene even if they never got to witness it for themselves. Sitting listening to the album I found myself taken back to seeing Dio (I managed it once and it was incredible), the feeling that he commanded from the stage, the feel of the crowd and the immense sound coming from him and the band. Tracks like Evil Eyes , Holy Diver, Man on The Silver Mountain and Children of the Sea all stand out as moments of pure enjoyment, tracks which will sit you back and make you appreciate music all over again.
The Last In Line:
Dio released his second album, The Last In Line, on July 13th 1984 as a follow up to Holy Diver, this time moving towards a more pumping sound and leading to his first ever platinum album. Once again, the re-released version contains the original album as well as live tracks and b-sides galore, enough to keep even the most dedicated fan quiet for weeks on end.
We Rock has always been one of the best Dio songs from my point of view and here on this album, it sounds just as exciting as it did when I first heard it. Powerful and monumentally heavy, this is music to pump your fist in the air to, designed for the live scene and to get crowds involved along with Dio himself. One Night In The City also stands out as another moment of sheer genius, crafting the sort of track which is going to get air guitarists the world over dusting off their faithful instrument and joining in with the ride. Other high points on the album include Mystery, Egypt (The Chains Are On) and Evil Eyes, all still packing enough punch to stand against any of the modern metal bands whilst showing them how it’s really done.
The second CD is once again a treasure trove of exciting moments from this era, featuring live versions of classics such as Don’t Talk To Strangers, Stargazer and Eat Your Heart Out, all recorded at events such as the Pinkpop festival. Once again featuring B-sides to fully complete the collection, those of you who thought that The Last In Line could never be improved have just been proven wrong, this new deluxe version sets a whole new bar for releases – stunning from start to finish.
Sacred Heart:
The third album from Dio, Sacred Heart, is the final deluxe version to be released, once again featuring 21 tracks in total including never released on CD b-sides and more expanded liner notes, completing the collection of Dio albums for the true original fan. Reaching number 4 in the UK charts and achieving RIAA Gold, this was also the last Dio album to feature Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) on guitar, marking a change in the sound of Dio from here onwards.
Classic albums are few and far between, but this is one in the truest sense of the word. Full to the brim with classics such as Sacred Heart, Rock N Roll Children and Hungry For Heaven and packing the trademark Dio sound from start to finish. Tracks such as Another Lie capture the essence of the live show even on a studio recording, demonstrating the power of the band and the incoming technologies which bands were beginning to have at their disposal. Fallen Angels and Shoot Shoot stand out as moments which you can’t help but move to, it’s music designed to have a good time to before bands got too serious about themselves and their message. This is an album which I’ve listened to countless times yet even now, it’s one which brings on the shivers down my spine and reignites that love for Dio’s voice, highly recommended if you’ve not heard it.
The second CD here includes live tracks and b-sides, all of which present us with one final chance to hear how incredible music really was whilst Dio was in charge of releasing it. Powerful and firmly focused on the real sounds of rock/metal, tracks like Hide In The Rainbow, King of Rock N Roll and Time To Burn all take on a new sense of power, a new emphasis if you will, hammering the tracks out at you and making you simply sit in amazement at what you’re hearing.
I’ve often thought that re-releases and deluxe editions are a waste of money, charging fans extra for a mere couple of tracks, but that’s not the case here. What you end up with on all of these albums is a demonstration of what music should sound like, how music should be mixed and how every single vocalist should sound. The cover of Sacred Heart put it perfectly in its own way, saying ‘Finis per somnivm reperio tibi sacra cor veneficvs ostivm avrvm’ – or in other words – ‘I learned of your goals through dreams: a sacred heart, a wizard, a golden door’ – or three spanking albums to get your hands on!
