This is the best Dio cd since "Holy Diver"! There have been many great moments in the history of DIO, and this cd stands tall among them. Every track is incredible! Great lyrics, tight band, and the amazing vocals prowess of Mr. Dio make this a must-have cd for any fan of hard rock.This is also my favorite cover-art since "Dream Evil". All I can hope for is an extensive US tour to support this cd! Buy this - you won't be disappointed! Thank you, DIO for continuing on after 20 + years!
I own nearly everything RJD has ever recorded and this latest CD continues the trend of excellence from start to finish - not a bad track on the disc .
But the best ? I'd have to say "The Man Who Would Be King" . I mean my views aren't going to be influenced by a singer ( even Ronnie James Dio , the greatest singer in the universe ) but "The Man Who Would Be King" is the best anti-Bush song yet ........ and this is coming from a guy who's gonna vote for Bush . And if a hard-core righty like me can dig this album then any ( intelligent ) person could !!
This may just be Dio's best album ever!!! The melodies and the lyrics are so DIO, it's ridiculous. I was laughing with joy during my first listen. Guitarist Craig Goldy is back and he is here to teach ex-"guitarist" Doug Aldrich just what this loud six-stringed thingy is all about. Dio's voice is finally showing some wear, so he has to force it in places, but what I didn't expect is that he actually sounds better forcing it than he does when it comes naturally. As you know, Dio has two styles: Quick and viscious / Slow and doomy. This album is more of the slow and doomy kind, with quick and viscious moments. Dio has been a lead singer since the late fifties (no kidding) -and I can't believe this guy has this kind of material left! It's amazing! I can't wait to see him live and watch him get out of his wheelchair and smash it on the stage!!! Personal grandstanding moment here- I met him a few years back and he is the nicest guy I ever met. My best friend isn't half as genuine. WOOOOOO!!!! Dio rules!! Ok, end of review, I'll let you go now...... See you at the show!!
*NOTE* - It's actually 4.5 / 5 stars *But rounded up*
The album stars off with One More For The Road. Ronnie James Dio combines a fantastic chorus with an intricate riff. The lyrics are creatively put together before being interrupted by a fantastic guitar solo. The song, although great, seems to get a little repetitive because Dio sings the same chorus after, it seems like, two lines of new lyric material. One More for the Road is definitely a 94/100.
Master of the Moon had to be good. The album is named after it! And, damn, is Master of the Moon a great song! Dio sings with a tone that crescendos while the guitars set a heart-controlling beat in the background. He really gets you sucked into the song. "No questions. No answers. No one to scream at you!" Well, Dio, no one's going to scream at you with this amazing song that's intelligently composed and preformed. Great job! 100/100!
The next track is End of the World. The main problem I had with this track is that it seemed to start the same way Master of the Moon did. This is why I love the shuffle feature, because it eliminates this problem usually. Once Dio begins to sing, it is evident that the two songs are completely different. Dio sings out loud: What if imagination is a terrible thing? What if I'm wrong? Well here's what I've been thinking. Ronnie James Dio incorporates clever lyrics into the End of the World to score a 97/100.
Bam! Shivers, the next track, starts up immediately with an eerie riff. Dio sings with a new, fantastic tone as the guitar follows the eerie theme. The song continues until it explodes with the chorus. The night's on you, Dio begins. Wow, great chorus. Because of new song themes and excellent delivery, Dio scores a 98/100 in Shivers.
Track five, The Man That Would Be King, starts off slow. Dio begins to sings as the instruments in the background follow his tone of voice. Even when the instruments become louder, there is still a slower tone to the song. As the track continues, the beautifully written guitar part has a small solo. Then the track becomes slightly poor. Dio picks it back up with "Forgive me father for the sins we bring." I am confused with this song. Although it is not Dio's best, he brings new themes into the song. Sorry Dio, as much as this song is different, you didn't get the bullseye. You got a 89/100 on this song.
The Eyes is next. Yet again--another bam piece. A mechanical voice shouts "My eyes!" continuously while the guitar lays down a strong beat. The track remains neutral for a while as Dio sings. Nothing special yet... until the chorus. Still, I think Dio could have delivered the chorus in a better way that would make the song less similar throughout the entire piece. As the song continues on, it seems to drone on. I like it, but because of the drone Dio earns a 91/100.
Next is The Lie. Finally there is a new riff and a new way to start the song. Change is good, right? Dio has a rough sound in is voice throughout this song. Unfortunately, this song drones on little as well. Suddenly the song shifts with less guitar and more Dio. It's revived by a fantastic guitar solo. 93/100.
I Am begins with soft instruments and no singing. There's a gradual crescendo in which the guitars increase by triadic increments. I love Dio's delivery in this piece, and the chorus. The song, to me, doesn't sound repetitive at all! Wow, great job Dio. 98/100 because of interesting portrayal and performance.
Dio's next song, Death By Love, is a great one if you listen to the lyrics. He tells the story about men who die by the love of a gypsy - but what a way to go. Dio sets the mood completely and blasts off with a fantastic chorus. Great job, Dio. 99/100.
And then there's the last song on the album: In Dreams. The song is a great one to listen to last. It has a great ending tone to it and a grand chorus. It's like a cool-down on a workout, or a grand finale once the fireworks are there. The song's great, however it's not as flashy as the others. I love this one, because it's different and STILL good. 97/100!
The album art on this album, Master of the Moon, is fantastic! The album overall is amazing, except for a slight repetition that can occur if you're really into the music. Great job, Dio.
What has happened to Lock Up The Wolves is also happening to this album. It gets very much UNDERRATED! This album is very good, just like Lock Up The Wolves, but people write reviews after listening the album ones or twice. You need to get into this album, that needs a few times listening! People complain that this album is slow, but is that a bad thing? NO! Cause the music is good! Ofcourse, some more fast songs are welkom here, but that doesn't mean you should trash this album! If you like metal this is something for you. It's not the best album from the master of metal, but it's just a very good one. One More For The Road is my favorite album-opener of all Dio's openers! With this album Ronnie shows that it isn't time for him to retire yet!
Thanks Ronnie James Dio for all your great music! Keep at it!
