Dio - 'Master of the Moon'
Released on Sanctuary Records on 09/07/2004
THE BAND:
Ronnie James Dio - vocals
Craig Goldy - guitars/vocals
Simon Wright - drums
Jeff Pilson - bass
Scott Warren - keyboards
TRACK FRAGMENTS:
1.) "One more for the Road" -This track opens with the full band
playing the intro section. One of the first things you will notice is the
powerful sound Craig's guitar has. The vocal arrangements and sound of the
verses on this track gives the song a very older 'Holy Diver' feeling. The
little guitar riff Craig plays behind the verse section of the song really makes
the hair stand on the back of your neck. The chorus section of the song is
classic Dio. After the second chorus the chorus section there is a small
guitar solo. The solo section isn't nearly has over the top as most of
Goldy's solo's that I have heard.
2.) "Master of the Moon" -This track opens with the full band the
small rhythm Craig plays on this intro gives the song a very 'Magica' feel.
The vocal lines of the pre-verse and verse section on this track shows why
Ronnie is the king of heavy metal vocals. There is not of a musical arrangement
for the pre-verse and verse. At times Craig's guitar arrangements sound
echoed. For the second verse Jeff's bass line really shines through the
musical arrangement. The solo section was overshadowed by the heaviness of
the backing musical arrangement. After the solo section Scott Warren's
keyboard really bleeds through the musical arrangement.
3.) "End of the World" This track opens with a Scott Warren keyboard
arrangement. The guitar arrangement Craig wrote for the intro section has
a very AC/DC influence. I really liked the decision the band made to turn
up Jeff's bass line for this track. The vocal lines sound a lot like the
stuff Dio was doing on his first three solo releases. Lyrically this song
is Dio at his finniest!!! There are certain songs in the Dio catalog that
lyrically send chills up my spine and this track is one of them. Goldy's
solo is pulled back alot.
4.) "Shivers" -The opening guitar riff of this intro blew me away!!!
At times the arrangement of the lyrical and musical arrangement of the verses
are set up a lot like the stuff Dio done with 'Magica'. The chorus section
is vintage Dio. The guitar arrangement and sound are some of the heaviest
I've ever heard. I really enjoyed the simple rhythm change for the solo
section of the song.
5.) "The Man who would be King" - This track opens with a very simple
vocal arrangement along with a piano arrangement. The guitar kick in
section and lead scale has a dramatic effect to the song. The guitar
arrangements are kept very simple for the verse section. Scott Warren's
keyboard arrangement has a very seventies feel to it. This is one of the
first songs on the release where you can distinctly hear the overdubs of the
guitar section.
6.) "These Eyes" -This track opens with a very heavy musical
arrangement. at times even through the arrangement is keep fairly simple
the song has an abstract feel. the vocal lines of the verse have a very
operatic feel to them. as a drummer I really liked how Simon incorporated
the floor tom into the drum arrangement of the verse sections. There is a
signature Dio vocal hook during the chorus section. There is a very
abstract talk box guitar effect overdub.
7.) "Living the Life" -This track opens with a Simon drum arrangement.
This is another track on the release that was well produced to where you can
hear the guitar overdubs. At times lyrically the vocals have an older Dio
feel. The breakdown section consist of just vocals and guitar with the
rest of the band finishing the breakdown section off. There is a very cool
Jeff Pilson bass line underneath the breakdown section.
8.) "I am" -This track opens with a very cool Goldy guitar
arrangement. The main intro section was set up in recorded in a very
typical Dio fashion. The song has a very cool twelve-note drum arrangement
through the verse section of the song. There is a huge Dio vocal hook
through the choruses. I really liked the bass line Pilson wrote for this
track. The solo section of the song was very laid back.
9.) "Death by Love" -This track opens with a very catch musical
arrangement. Vocally the verses of the song are Ronnie at his finest.
you can really tell Ronnie vocally overdubbed the vocal lines of the backing
harmonies of the chorus on this song. The musical arrangement of the verse
and chorus section are keep fairly simple. There are two solo
section in the song the first one is the main solo with the second being the
minor solo.
10.) "In Dreams" -The guitar intro of this track has a very early
Black Sabbath feel to it. The vocal lines of the verses are keep fairly
simple. I really liked the simple vocal line of the chorus section.
At times through the breakdown section the vocal lines sound like they where
recorded in a duet style with Ronnie singing both parts. Craig's guitar
sound has a very heavy feel to it.
The songs on 'Master of the Moon' have a mix of older Dio
vocal lines with a newer Dio musical arrangement. The line-up that
recorded the CD is not the current touring band. Jeff Pilson of Dokken
fame recorded all the bass tracks but Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot and Whitesnake
will be playing bass live. A lot of writer have claimed that Rudy turns
his bass up way to loud live. I had the chance to see Rudy with both QR
and Whitesnake and I tend to disagree but if by any chance people are right than
this songs where meant for Rudy to play live. Over the years there
as been a lot of guitarist in Dio, but I honestly do not think any of them could
have pulled off the intensity of the musical arrangement as Craig has.
Simon Wright plays more rhythm than fills on this CD. But hey, he is used
to performing in that fashion mainly from his AC/DC days. He does however
get a chance to rip off a few great drum fills. in closing if you are not
a die-hard Dio fan than I would suggest to purchase one of the earlier Dio CD
because the CD is more balanced for the die-hard fans. Either way for me
'Master of the Moon' ranks up there with CD's like 'Last in Line' and 'Dream
Evil'.