Let's rank Ronnie James Dio, #14

1. Heaven and Hell (1980)
2. Holy Diver (1983)
3. Rainbow Rising (1976)
4. Mob Rules (1981)
5. The Last in Line (1984)
6. Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978)
7. Dream Evil (1987)
8. Sacred Heart (1985)
9. Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)
10. Dehumanizer (1992)
11. Killing the Dragon (2002)
12. Lock Up the Wolves (1990)
13. Magica (2000)



This was my first Dio CD I bought new. Not the first one I bought, but the first one I got right when it was released. It's been pretty special for me. It signalled to me that the magic Ronnie once had was still with him. This was pure high fantasy. And he seemed so enthusiastic about it in his interviews that it was hard to resist. Dio also toured here to support the album. He came with Alice Cooper and Ratt and it was the first time I saw Dio live. Lord of the Last Day is great, and they played it live, but the true gem here is "Fever Dreams" which I feel is one of those all-time Dio classics. A simple, catchy song based around a huge riff. It could have been on Holy Diver or Last in Line.

But let's go on with the vote. We're down to the final four. Pick your poison.

Strange Highways this time out.

Strange Highways once again

Strange Highways

Master Of The Moon.

You Know

I'm going to go with The Devil You Know. Big Iommi riffs, Geezer on bass, Appice... they really should have called the band Mob Rules though. Production is a little too "modern" and samey without too much character. I wish they'd recorded the album live in a castle or something. Now they sound like any other band from the 2000's.

Live the tunes are kickass.



Bible Black is such a great song.