Disco de Dio: “Magica”

I know I already reviewed this, but I'd like to add an addendum. I just saw DIO LIVE in Phoenix, and they played the entire Magica album, with the exception of Turn To Stone, and of course the 18min story thing. It was GREAT! Although it was new material, the crowd ate it up, proving that it is a fantastic album. I gotta say that RJD sings these songs LIVE 100% BETTER than on the record, believe it or NOT! "As long as it's not about Love" was phenomanal. The rest of the concert was just as good, they pulled out many deep album cuts from his entire catalog. Here's the setlist.....

SUNSET SUPERMAN, INVISIBLE, ONE NIGHT IN THE CITY, ALL THE FOOLS SAILED AWAY, GYPSY, DRUM SOLO, STAND UP AND SHOUT, MAGICA, HOLY DIVER, RAINBOW IN THE DARK, LAST IN LINE, MAN ON THE SILVER MTN/LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL. MOB RULES

I think that's all of them. If he's coming to your town, get a ticket, and get there early. You won't be disappointed!

After reading so much positive press about Magica, I decided to pick it up. I wasn't disappointed, but I wasn't incredibly impressed either.

My first complaint about this CD, would be the robotic/alien voice, that can be found between almost every track on the CD. It sounds how robots always sounded in bad 1950's style Sci-Fi films (choppy, broken, emotionless, etc.), giving the CD a sort of silly feel from the opening track.

My second complaint would be the line up. Suffice it to say, Craig Goldie is not Vivian, and Simon Wright is certainly not Vinnie.

Third, the story line is cliche. The characters, events, and plot line are about as old, obvious, and rehashed as anything in the Sci-Fi genre. And when looking at this CD, purely as a "concept album", it doesn't measure up. Had the actual story not been included as an insert, the story line would be undiscernible to listener.

Finally, there is too much junk on this CD. There is a 16 minute track, where Dio reads the entire Magica story to the listener. Since the story is included as in an insert, it is a waste of disc space. There is also too time given to the silly alien/robotic voice that I mentioned earlier. And lastly, there are two different reprises on this disc, neither of which deserved to be reprised. So while the running time on this CD chimes in at 74 minutes, there is maybe 40 minutes of new music contained within.

Regardless of my complaints, this is a solid CD. Ronnie is in rare form, vocally, and lyrically, and much of the music has a Holy Diver feel to it. Challis and Fever Dreams are destined to become Dio classics.

All in all, it's a solid disc, probably his best since Dream Evil. However, it could have been better.

This was one of the best rock albums released in 2000. Ronnie Dio is still the best hard rock singer ever. Craig Goldie's guitar playing sounds much like Tony Iommi or Zakk Wylde (although not quite as good at Zakk.) The riffs very between dark, slow, ultra-heavy melodies and high-speed riffs, making this album even better than The Last In Line. Be sure to buy the Japanese Polydor version of this album becaus it includes an awesome instrumental guitar song titled "Annica" which is not included on the other versions.

Just received this one in the mail from Amazon yesterday. I've listened to it three times and like it better each time. The "concept album" idea is interesting and makes the songs blend, especially if you listen to the "story" track, but the songs can definitely stand on their own. Dio is in excellent vocal form and the percussion is solid. Strong guitar and bass work. Keyboards blend nicely. No alternative stuff here. Just good, straight hard rock/heavy metal. Vintage Dio improved !

Incredible, outstanding an amazing album. Its great Jimmy Bain is back, the best bass pick player ever aside from Dave Ellefson from Megadeth. Craig Goldy is so underated, hes such an outstanding guitarist, crunchin guitar hear, with the rythm and spectacular solos. Back in great form like he was in Dream Evil. Simon Wright awesome drummer only a few miles down from Vinny but great just the same, he does awesome. Dio as always so spectacular with his vocals, this isnt childish at all, very neat actually, sure the alien voice seems funny but keep listening to it and ull think its cool it fits really well.

Discovery-cool intro

Magica Theme-isnt this beautiful?

Lord of the last day-awesome creepy, great lyrics and solo.

Fever Dreams-Great tune, the chorus is spectacular.

Turn to stone-Awesome opening with the guitar solo, creepy tune.

Feed my Head-all 3 of these songs follow together so cool like, the mid part of this song is incredible,excellent chorus again.

Friell-Awesome keyboards and symphonies, awesome solo at the end.

Challis-metal classic, awesome chorus again, dynamite solo,awesome, very origianl lyrics.

As long as its not abt luv-one of the most beautiful songs ever, just listen to it, its incredible.

Losing my Insanity-spectacular opening like medieval folklore music, and how they get down is awesome.

Otherworld-Great bass here,good lyrics,rocking slower song.

Magica Reprise-dynamite,lyrics are spectacular,incredibly true.

Lord of the Last day-Awesome closing.

Magica Story-incredible to listen too, very magical indeed.

Album is awesome, heavy to me, they might add a few more symphony sounds in here but big deal it sounds like the old fashioned dio, get it its so incredible. Magica is spectacular, God Bless u Dio and the rest of the band,u did amazing.