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Music, Reviews

“Holy Diver Live” by Dio

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Artist: Dio
Title: “Holy Diver Live”
Label: Eagle Records
Release Date: 4/18/2006
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 8.5/10

Ronnie James Dio is one of the founding fathers when it comes to Hard Rock music. His three-decade plus long career began with work in Elf which continued into Rainbow alongside Richie Blackmore and Cozy Powell. This partnership gave the world songs that are still amazing today. When he replaced Ozzy Osbourne in the legendary Black Sabbath the fans of the band were given two very powerful recordings and showed that Dio was not only amazing at Hard Rock but also a true artisan of Metal in its purest form. The formation of Dio; the solo group that would tour under his name alone would be a Metal force to be reckoned with for years to come. The debut “Holy Diver” was also something magical in terms of what was in its grooves. The great guitar playing and drumming courtesy of newcomer at the time Vivian Campbell and Vinny Appice (Brother to the famous Carmine). Jimmy Bain held it together and played keys as well as bass all while Ronnie belted out one of the best albums in Heavy Metal history. Line up changes are nothing new in bands and fast forward to 1995 where Dio decided his fans not only demand but deserve a full performance of this legendary recording. The original concert found this executed later in the set but for better CD layout it is presented as the entire CD 1. The players on the album will be Doug Aldritch, a player with a lot of John Sykes qualities to him as well as drummer Simon Wright who performed with AC/DC and UFO.
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Reviews, Videos

“Whitesnake Live: In The Still Of The Night” (Deluxe) by Whitesnake

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Artist: Whitesnake
Title: “Live… In The Still Of The Night”
Label: Universal Music
Release Date: 2/7/2006
Style: Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
Rating: 8.5/10

Whitesnake!!!! If there is one band that epitomizes the glory of 80’s Hard Rock and Metal, it’s them. This concert film from 2005 is the perfect reminder of those glory days. As you watch this DVD you will re-live a particular time in your life if you were lucky enough to remember them from experience. If you only know the band from CD and video collections, then this DVD is a treat for the senses. I remember Whitesnake from tours in the Eighties when they played with Motley Crue as support; and while I am sure I saw a few more appearances, I just can’t recall at this time. Needless to say, there was always something very “live” about Whitesnake music. Being a fan of the record was nice, but you were cheating yourself if you did not catch a concert. The memory I have of them opening for Crue is still very vivid, and the lineup was the one from the famous MTV videos. Catching them again a few years ago with a different lineup for the most part proved that this was still a Metal force to be reckoned with. Now, in 2006 with yet an almost entirely different group of players, Whitesnake shows that they still deliver and are not to be dismissed as “old school”. As the DVD begins, I have to say that David Coverdale doesn’t seem to have aged that much despite the time that has gone by. Remember, Dave was in Deep Purple in the early seventies and usually a 30 plus year career in Rock and Roll has one showing the signs of wear. No such luck in the case for Mr. Coverdale, who looks youthful and still belts out the notes, to the delight of his fans. Purple fans will enjoy the rousing opener of “Burn”, which brings a little bit of “Stormbringer” to the mix. David still has the power and the smooth-as-silk voice fans will remember well.
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Reviews, Videos

“Evil Or Divine: Live In NYC” [DVD] by Dio

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Artist: Dio
Title: “Evil Or Divine: Live In NYC”
Label: Eagle Vision
Release Date: 2004
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 7.5

Released as a direct companion to the CD of the same name is Ronnie James Dio’s “Evil Or Divine: Live In NYC”. This sold-out live concert performance DVD was filmed at New York City’s famed Roseland Ballroom. The Roseland can be a great place to see a Metal act depending on who it is. I saw it as such for there have been times I attended and hated the place, while the week later returned and loved the experience. The love of metal and its elder Statesman Ronnie James Dio was apparent as you watch the show. The tour was in support of “Killing The Dragon” his most recent release at the time. The members of the band were Jimmy Bain (bass), Simon Wright (drums), Scott Warren (keyboards) and Doug Aldrich (guitar).
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Music, Reviews

“Evil Or Divine: Live In NYC” by Dio

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Artist: Dio
Title: “Evil Or Divine: Live In NYC”
Label: Spitfire Records
Release Date: 2004
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 7.5

Dio is one of the true survivors in the world of Heavy Metal music. His rich history across the genre began with his band Elf, then on to Rainbow, Black Sabbath where he replaced Ozzy and finally his influence as a solo performer. For those who have ever seen Ronnie James Dio perform in concert, they can attest for certain that he commands the Stage and truly gives the audience their money’s worth when they come to rock with him. This CD was recorded during his “Killing The Dragon” tour. His lineup was Jimmy Bain (bass), Simon Wright (drums), Scott Warren (keyboards) and Doug Aldrich (guitars).
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