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As a follow-up to a successful
summer tour with Deep Purple and the Scorpions, Ronnie James Dio returned this
fall as promised with Jimmy Bain (bass); Doug Aldrich (guitar); Simon Wright
(drums); and Scott Maxwell (keyboards). Warming up the audience was an
interesting mix of the Swedish Hammerfall and the progressive King’s X…
When the time
came for Dio to introduce his band, he opened with the powerful title track from
his latest release “Killing the Dragon.” It was refreshing to see them all in
the dark shadows of a packed club of their own disciples instead of in the
daylight at a half-packed amphitheater, after all when we’re talking about
seeing a metal legend its “better in the dark.”
Dio was sure
to continue to promote his newest anthems “Push” and “Rock-n-Roll,” along with
the old favorites like “Man on the Silver Mountain,” “Long Live Rock-n-Roll,”
“Holy Diver,” and even the Black Sabbath classic “Heaven and Hell.” As a bonus,
the full set allowed for additions like the closer “We Rock” and a medley for
those who are Magica fans that showcased “Lord of the Last Day” and “Fever
Dreams.” While the story is best told from beginning to end, it was certainly a
worthy inclusion for a live performance.
Another medley
familiar to the audience from the band’s last run was a recall of the classics
“Egypt (The Chains Are On)” from the Last in Line and Sabbath’s “Children of The
Sea.” Doug Aldrich and Simon Wright were also offered the stage for solo
spotlights.
When we
spoke to Dio following the show he explained that after a holiday vacation and a
quick trip to South America he anticipates taking on the great task of writing
the long-awaited continuations to what will soon be known as the Magica
trilogy.
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