Master Of The Moon, the latest offering from Ronnie James Dio can only be described as a stunning return to form. Killing The Dragon (2002) had potential, Magica (2003) was in comparison, slightly disappointing whilst still having some good points, this is without doubt classic Dio. All the best bits of Dio’s back-catalogue rolled into one album. There are leanings toward the Sabbath and Rainbow days and definite hints of the mindset that produced “Holy Diver” and “The Last In Line”.  

The album kicks off in barnstorming style with “One More For The Road”, driving rock music and in my mind a future staple of the Dio live set. Ronnie has one of the most defining rock voices and after 30 years in the business can still deliver with power and angst. The title track is no less impressive; this is Dio on home ground. Trudging and heavy yet still a master storyteller. “The End Of The World” has a Rainbow feel in the melody but listening to the opening riff, I can’t help singing the opening verse to AC/DC’s “Back In Black” which makes me smile every time I hear it!. 

Aside from the obvious vocal talents, this album demonstrates some great playing, the band have mixed a classic heavy metal sound whilst making it sound quite operatic, bloody HUGE in fact. “Shivers” and “The Man Who Would Be King” are expansive, creating deep and dark shadows. “The Eyes” could have been lifted from Sabbath’s seminal “Heaven and Hell”.

It is worth making clear that this album is not a re-hash of past idea’s, it is a very definite attempt to bring together everything that Ronnie James Dio has believed in and defended over many years. “Living The Lie” raises the tempo again, soaring vocals and a crunching back line.  

“I Am”, “Death By Love” and “In Dreams” close a classic heavy metal album, old school Dio, Rainbow and Sabbath fans will love this album, heavy yet soulful, dark yet fresh and nostalgic yet modern. New rock bands wanting to write Heavy Metal and steer away from the “Nu Metal” bandwagon can learn a lot from Ronnie James Dio, still. 

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Track List

One More For The Road
Master Of The Moon
The End of The World
Shivers
The Man Who Would Be King
The Eyes
Living The Lie
I Am
Death By Love
In Dreams

Line Up

Ronnie James Dio - Vocals
Craig Goldie - Guitars
Jeff Pilson - Bass
Simon Wright - Drums
Scott Warren - Keyboards