Dio
Master Of The Moon

"Master of the Moon" is the last studio album by Ronnie James Dio's band, the sprite (as the fans call him) is best known for having been part of important groups like Rainbow and Black Sabbath. Perhaps this latest work by Dio is not one of the most appreciated albums in their discography; many will remember their first album "Holy Diver" which contains the very famous "Rainbow in the Dark" or the celebrated album "Dream Evil" with notable tracks like "Night People" and the excellent "I Could Have Been a Dreamer."

Over the years, Dio’s music has become a bit more extreme, as demonstrated by albums like "Strange Highways and Angry Machines." These latter two have a sound that in some ways seems inspired by Black Sabbath's "Dehumanizer," as Ronnie James Dio made a brief return to publish a new album with Black Sabbath before returning to Dio.

The tenth album by Dio, "Master of the Moon," is quite different from the previous ones, unusual, evocative, dark, and with very gloomy settings, the album artwork could almost describe the very essence of the album. Certainly less heavy and more aggressive than the previous "Killing the Dragon," the latest "Master of The Moon" convinces precisely for its mysterious and nocturnal sounds with very cold tones, which strike at the first listen. Technically, there's nothing to say; Dio has always lived up to expectations in every work.

The album opens with the track "One More for the Road" which doesn’t immediately launch them into the spirit of the album, perhaps one of the less gloomy songs on the entire record, yet it turns out to be very compelling with a very engaging rock vein. The atmosphere ramps up with the following track "Master of the Moon" which also gives the album its title, with a very beautiful chorus. The third track is "The End of the World" which seems to be in the old rock style. Following are convincing tracks like "Shivers" and the expressive "The Man Who Would Be King," the latter being one of my favorites on the album, and the captivating "The Eyes" with very appealing tones. Subsequent tracks like "Living the Lie" and "I Am" sound like something already heard, perhaps in old Dio style. A small curiosity—when you listen to the chorus of "I Am," you can’t get it out of your head, listen to believe. The track "Death by Love," on the other hand, was partly written by former bassist Chuck Garric, who collaborated with Dio on "Magica," a very interesting album for those who haven't listened to it. The last track of this dignified album is "In Dreams," while there is also another track titled "The Prisoner Of Paradise" (a bonus track) included (in the special edition). Guest on the album is bassist Rudy Sarzo (formerly of Quiet Riot), replacing Jeff Pilson who was unable to complete the album due to too many commitments.

In the end, "Master of the Moon" may seem to fans less powerful and a bit too light on the first listen, but from my point of view, this album derives its strengths precisely from the dark and evocative settings that make the tracks majestic with a strong emotional impact. Ronnie James Dio's voice, as usual, never disappoints, and this represents a guarantee for all his works including this one.