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After almost 50 years of musical career (starting at 8, combining music with school - he was extremely gifted in both), here comes Dio announcing the release of his new solo album "Master Of The Moon," a musical journey just over 45 minutes long, an album with cynical and political lyrics, where Ronnie James Dio doesn't shy away from making negative critiques (through the use of metaphor) of American Society and the US president G.W. Bush.
The album opens with the fast-paced "One More From The World" followed by the title track. And how could one not mention the third track "The End Of The World"? A beautiful song, in AC/DC style (some riffs are highly reminiscent of 'Back In Black'), where the influence of drummer Simon Wright, formerly with AC/DC, is clearly felt.
It's time for the fourth track, "Shivers," which, diverging from the sounds of "Master Of The Moon," could seem like it came out of Dio's other album "Angry Machines". Next is the song with the most politically significant lyrics of this album, "The Man Who Would Be King," which closely resembles the track "My Eyes" (also by Dio) from the album "Lock Up The Wolves".
"The Eyes," the sixth track of this masterpiece, is a very dark song (reminiscent of Black Sabbath's "Dehumanizer" album) with very precise rhythms. Then comes "Living The Lie," a powerful song that every time I hear it gives me a boost, as if I'd gotten an injection of adrenaline.
The eighth track is "I Am," with cynical lyrics that exalt evil. "Death By Love," the ninth song, tells of a man who died from love (as the title also indicates). The album closes with "In Dreams," simply a stunning song that I recommend everyone listen to!
In some editions of the album, there's a bonus track called "The Prisoner Of Paradise" which unfortunately I haven't had the chance to hear. An album worthy of listening to that cannot and should not be missing from a metalhead's music collection.
Dio is producing a new album that will be released in May with the same lineup as "Master Of The Moon": on vocals the charismatic Ronnie James Dio; on the white axe (guitar) Craig Goldy (debuted with Giuffria); on bass the legendary Rudy Sarzo, formerly with Ozzy Osbourne, Malmsteen, and Whitesnake; behind the drums (as I already mentioned) is Simon Wright and, finally, on keyboards we have Scott Warren. There is also a collector's edition of "Master Of The Moon" in vinyl (LP) that I am trying to purchase.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Master of the Moon (04:19)
And then you dream
Of a world with only windows
Inside you - you can hide you
You know
And then the night
You're just another empty shadow
No questions - no answers
No one to scream at you
Turn around and when you face the sun
We can make you be like everyone you know
Hey you - you're just master of the moon
And then the eyes
If you look at them they'll blind you
Who are you - what are you
Why do you scream at me
Turn around and when you face the sun
We can make you be like everyone you know
Hey you - master of the moon
We can shake you make you over
We just need some time to
Shed some light upon your darkness
We need your mind
And then you dream again
In a world that only you know
Inside you - you can hide you
No one to scream at you
Turn around and when you face the sun
We can make you be like everyone you know
I'll turn away and never face the sun
You never make me be like you
I'm master of the moon
03 The End of the World (04:39)
If I could sleep at night
Then somehow I'd see
Why everything's wrong
Or maybe it's just me
Does anybody know this place that I'm in
Why I might be alone
Imagination is a terrible thing
What if I'm wrong
But here's what I've been thinking
It must be the end of the world
What ever happened to the rock and roll song
Breaking your brain
Making you stronger
They say you never hear the bullet that kills
And I don't hear a sound
It's not about a change or revolution
What's gone today is still called substitution
Don't get emotional but we're out of time
The melody's gone
And fools have got the sunshine
If I'm mistaken and I see you again
Don't leave me alone
Maybe tomorrow
Could be the end of the world
Don't make wishes
Don't waste time
Call the ones you hate
You'd say I'm sorry but they'll have to wait
Fot the end of the world
Bye bye bye bye bye bye
04 Shivers (04:15)
Shivers
Fingers scratching blackboards
Make cowards of the brave
A natural reaction
From the cradle to the grave
Rats and bats and spiders
And little things that crawl
Never make me tremble
I'm bothered not at all
Then I saw you
Something new inside of me
What's this shakin'
You made me shiver
Cemetery midnights
Walking on the dead
Never seemed to matter
It's all inside your head
Names are only letters
Mentioned on a stone
And If you're going somewhere
You're going it alone
Then I saw you
Something new inside of me
What's this shakin'
You made me shiver
Magic charms and voodoo
And all those other spells
Didn't make impressions
I never slept so well
If I had a nightmare
I'm sure that I would know
I really don't remember
But I'm sure it isn't so
Then I saw you
Something new inside of me
What's this shakin'
You made me shiver
Turn out the lights it won't matter
A bucket of blood and I'm fine
A black cat's only a color
But you can do it every time
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Other reviews
By Heaven in Black
"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."
