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What
can you say about Ronnie James Dio that hasn’t been written already?
One of the most recognizable voices in rock, he might be small on
stature be he will always be one of the biggest rock stars ever. His
pedigree is one of the highest with a career spanning over thirty years.
He still manages produce the goods musically and the latest album
'Masters of the Moon' is no different.
He has put together star studded band on this album, back doing guitar
duties is Craig Goldy who worked with Dio on several albums including
'Dream Evil' and the more recent concept album 'Magica', also ex Quiet
Riot, Whitesnake and Ozzy bass player Rudy Sarzo, on drums Simon Wright
ex AC/DC and UFO and finally Scott Warren formally of Keel on keyboards,
a most impressive live up indeed.
From the opening few chords of Craig Goldy's guitar you know what a high
quality album this is. 'One More For The Road' is the opener and is pure
RJD. A power guitar, rhythmic drum beat then the man himself
stamps his mark with the timeless vocals and spotless production as
usual.
The title track 'Master of the Moon' hits hard at mans ability to let
things get them down and to break out of that downhearted life and just
take a look at the sunshine and break free from the gloom. But the
knife has two edges as the next track is titled 'The End of the World',
some irony there I think. Musically two similar tracks with Goldys
guitar a prominent feature in both tracks and Rudy Sarzo laying down a
heavy bass rhythm.
'The Man Who Would be King' is another outstanding track that has a
message to all those who would force their own beliefs on others.
A track that has more than a bit of a dig at a few of today's
politicians. The heavy bass on 'The Eyes' is very reminiscent of
his Black Sabbath days, another very deeply lyrical track.
The next couple of tracks 'Living the Lie' and 'I Am' are much more up
beat and will you digging out your copies of 'Holy Diver' and 'The Last
in Line' and giving them a spin. These two tracks in particular
wouldn’t be a out of place on either of these albums as they are very
similar in musical theme to those found on these two mighty albums.
'Death by Love' is a great track with RJD giving his all and once again
Craig Goldy laying down some great riffs. The final track 'In
Dreams' is a perfect way to end the album with some of the best
production on the album and Dios vocals showing no sign of fading away.
RJD is back and with a full tour to pave the way for the album release,
I just can’t wait.
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