C:\Little Hard Drive\stuff\diomagica.html

The mid to late 90’s could be seen as the dark ages of Dio the band, the quite god awful ‘Angry Machines’ and sub standard ‘Strange Highways’ are perhaps best summed up by a line on the Dio track ‘Mystery’ – ‘Silver linings can disappear but they always shine’, what I am trying to get across by this is that while the song writing took a nose dive Ronnie’s voice was still mostly their. Which brings me onto ‘Magica’. Ronnie wisely decided that is was time to completely overhaul the band line-up (who could complain with that after ‘Angry Machines’) for ‘Magica’. The removal of lumbersome guitarist Tracy G was perhaps the best move (although Ronnie originally offered him the slot of rhythm guitarist – he declined) followed by the disappearance of Vinny Appice and Jeff Pilson (who wisely returned to Dokken prior to the 'A.M' tour). This meant Ronnie could get a new band, which is sort of what he did. The ‘new’ line-up consists of all old members of Dio. The talented Craig Goldy returns on guitar while long-time bassist Jimmy Bain and short-term drummer Simon Wright make up the rhythm section. The result is best described as a rejuvenated and fired up Dio.

‘Magica’ is a concept album using aliens, magicians, computer technology and fantasy imagery to bring the tale to life. For those of you expecting ‘Holy Diver pt.2’ think again, ‘Magica’ is a well thought out and planned album. The song writing is the best I have heard from Dio in years. As well as the classic Dio trademarks there are also hints of Sabbath and Rainbow, which is a very wise move. What we have here is songs born out of the same ‘fire and brimstone’ of yore but with modern rock [not alternative or industrial –got it!] structures firmly embraced. ‘Magica’ sounds like Dio is doing something he believes in again.

1. DISCOVERY [4.12]
A computerised voice sets the scene before…

2. MAGICA THEME [3.05]
A short majestic instrumental.

3. LORD OF THE LAST DAY [4.45]
A dark slow riff immediately recalls comparison to ‘Dehumanizer’ era Sabbath. Ronnie sounds pretty scary and Craig Goldy’s guitar sounds great. The second verse sees the tempo pick up and you realise that this is pretty darn good – ‘Don’t care which good you follow, whose promises you swallow, time and again, we must meet at the end’. The chorus is also a huge improvement over any of the last couple of Dio releases. Monk style chanting paves way for…

4. FEVER DREAMS [3.48]
This is where things really start getting good! ‘Fever Dreams’ is a welcome return to ‘Rainbow Rising’ style music. The riff is pure Blackmore with a ‘Dream Evil’ style feel. Ronnie takes you back to that mystical album with some great lyrics and melody lines – ‘Have I fallen too far to rise, been burning too long in the fire. Then it all falls down, tearing the night away’. The solo is perfect for the track and makes you realise after the first few notes how lame Tracy G really was! A track that is getting repeated spins.

5. TURN TO STONE [3.51]
Some good guitar work from Craig lets you know you are in for another delight. The riff again is super chunky, before changing track for another romping fast riff. Ronnie sounds absolutely superb and that voice is back 100%. The song sees a few changes here and there. The bridge is great before Craig throws in another ripping but perfectly suited solo. Now that Ronnie has a guitarist who can play over more than 1 kind of progression, the outcome is one of variation.

6. FEED MY HEAD [3.47]
Another Sabbath style track but quite upbeat. This bears all the hallmarks of Dio and Iommi at their creative peak, from the light and shade progressions, to the epic, intense delivery. ‘Waiting for my number, to climb upon the cross. Maybe they’ll forget about me. Must avoid detection, but they say you’ll still go down’. The chorus is a slight let down that is a little repetitive at the end but Ronnie does his best with some ad libbing over it

7. ERIEL [4.14]
A haunting organ section with angel voices before a classical style riff give the opener a quite medieval feel, imagine a stripped down Symphony X sound.When the track gets going proper there is another great riff that has a great melodic quality but still manages to maintain its eeriness. The track is quite menacing giving you the feel of impending doom! ‘I have been father and son, I cry for children of the night. Just because tears have begun, Beware of quiet voices, thunder comes from silence – I am light’. There is quite a lengthy guitar solo that sees Craig using various guitar textures to good effect. Throughout the track there are numerous orchestra sounds that build the sound and generally create a lofty atmosphere and give a ‘Gates Of Babylon feel.

8. CHALLIS [4.53]
An absolutely monster of a punchy riff starts another of my favourites. This is perhaps the track closest to vintage ‘Dio’ with its good time feel that just makes you want to clench a fist and punch the sky! The chorus is quite Sabbathy with an almost ‘Lady Evil’ quality – ‘You’re like a tear in the ocean, dust in the wind. Like a stone in the water, I’m gonna run with the devils daughter’. The solo is quite Blackmore-ish with bluesy runs and bends and suits the track perfectly.

9. AS LONG AS IT'S NOT ABOUT LOVE [3.42]
The intro is quite similar to ‘Catch The Rainbow’ with its superb chord progression and general melody.Ronnie’s voice sounds quite delicate – ‘From the first time we touched with our eyes, only magic could take away my heart. I’m always afraid for my heart –so, lay beside me now and tell me lies, sweet lies. As long as it’s not about love’. After the second verse the rest of the band kicks in and Craig takes flight again with style. This is quite a charming sweet ballady type track, with superb arrangements and general progressions, ‘Shall we sail off the edge of the world, fall forever’.

10. LOSING MY INSANITY [5.40]
A charming medieval acoustic intro is very pleasant. It seem that since Ritchie Blackmore had the nerve to release the ‘Blackmore’s Night’ stuff other artists have decided to follow track, however, Dio sees fit to boost the energy a lot with electric guitar taking over the acoustic motif, making for another of the highlights. There are some more trademark Dio lyrics throughout the track and the solo yet again is well executed.

11. OTHERWORLD [3.21]
Another dark menacing riff that is backed up by some good sound effects from the keyboards.The vocals are dark with a mysterious swirling melody line – ‘Rainbow and blue skies are black and white. Killed in their sleep by the queen we have forsaken, Beginnings and taken the end – Amen’. A moody solo from Craig maintains the dark feel here and overall it’s a bit of strange track.

12. MAGICA - REPRISE [1.53]
Basically the story is beginning to wind down now, as the title suggests this is the second track re-visited but with some lyrics. The majestic theme sounds even more so with Ronnie’s vocals over the top giving a Queen type feel. The computer-generated voice ends the track.

13. LORD OF THE LAST DAY [1.44]
A simple repetition of the first verse in track three. The dark ominous riff ends the album.

14. MAGICA STORY [18.26]
Yes that time is correct and no this is not some Symphony X type epic.Instead what we have here is Ronnie narrating the Magica story that is the basis for the album. The story is quite complex and well thought out, to summarise it here would probably ruin the whole album so I will leave that for you to check out.This certainly isn’t a track that will get more than a handful of listens but it’s probably best to check it out first as you can then see where each track fits into the whole picture.