On Tuesday, October 9th, a second volume of DIO’s best tracks will be unleashed via Niji Entertainment – The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2 – a follow-up to the gold-certified The Very Beast of Dio. The collection is streaming in its entirety at this location.
The 17-track CD picks up exactly where the first volume left off – from 1996 onward. And in addition to featuring such latter-day Dio classics as ‘Killing The Dragon’, ‘Push’, and ‘Fever Dreams’, the compilation will also include several rarities that fans have long requested on a single disc – ‘Electra’ (which previously was only a part of the ultra-rare Tournado box set), ‘Prisoner Of Paradise’, and ‘Metal Will Never Die’.
As the Dio Facebook page administrator raves: “I absolutely know that every single Dio fan is going to want The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2! I’m a HUGE Dio fan, just like all of you, and I can’t tell you how excited I am about this CD. I had the pleasure of listening to the CD that was produced, mixed, and remastered by Ronnie’s longtime engineer, Wyn Davis, and it sounds bloody insane!”
Also included as part of the release will be liner notes penned by long-time supporter and friend of Ronnie’s, Eddie Trunk from That Metal Show, as well as an awesome front cover painting by artist Marc Sasso (who previously created the covers for Dio’s Killing The Dragon and Master Of The Moon albums).
The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2 will also be receiving a significant promotional push, as it will be promoted on Trunk’s radio program, and will be given away via the infamous Box of Junk on an episode of That Metal Show. And of course, the very popular official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page will get behind the release – which has over 735,000 fans (and receives between 800,000 to 1,000,000 hits per month).
As the Dio Facebook page administrator notes, “Just to let you know, the first Beast Of Dio was only released in the USA and Canada, and has sold over 800,000 CD’s to date! This CD will be in every country and our Dio store too!”
The tracklist is as follows:
‘Killing the Dragon’
‘Push’
‘The Eyes’
‘Along Comes A Spider’
‘Better in the Dark’
‘Fever Dreams’
‘Black’
‘Feed My Head’
‘Shivers’
‘Hunter Of The Heart’ (live)
‘One More For The Road’
‘Lord Of The Last Day’
‘Electra’ (bonus track)
‘As Long As It’s Not About Love’
‘This Is Your Life’
‘Metal Will Never Die’ (bonus Track)
‘Prisoner Of Paradise’ (bonus Track)
Niclas Müller-Hansen of Sweden’s Metalshrine recently conducted an interview with German metal queen Doro Pesch. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metalshrine: The times we are living in are a lot about gossip, bad reality shows where people are hurtful to each other and they say stupid stuff. It is a bit of a different society these days. I always find it admirable when people are like you and I feel I’m a bit like you and I try to see the positive stuff and I try to treat people in a kind way. One of the things I’ve thought of the last couple of years is that the main thing in life is about being a good person and to do good.
Doro: I couldn’t agree with you more. Actually, I’ve got one little story to tell you and it’s proof of that. On two occasions I did a past life regression and a year ago it was with a lady from Switzerland and you could tell that she knew that stuff. You look into her eyes and… yeah, she’s a very wise woman. I didn’t know if it would work but she said, “Lay down on the couch and relax.” And I said, “No, it doesn’t work with me.” And then she said, “Tell me what you have on! Look at your feet!” and I looked at my feet and I started laughing. It was so funny and she said, “What’s so funny?” and I said, “I have the weirdest shoes on. They are like little slippers. Where are my high heels or biker boots?” Then she said, “Well, look up!”. You have your eyes closed during this, you’re in a trance but you can still talk. I looked up and I had these weird clothes on and they were very uncomfortable and suddenly I was in this past life. I was a woman and I was in Hungary. It was pretty bad and I was hungry all the time and times were really tough. I saw myself on a horse, riding like crazy trying to warn the farmers of something and there was a war going on. This was a TV thing and for me it was interesting but to them it was not that interesting. Then I went into another lifetime and I was a guy and I was huge. I almost looked like Gerard Depardieu, like a butcher. It was 1648 in Dubrovnik and I’d never been there. We never played there. I was not so good and I was out with whores and drinking beer. It was unbelievable! I was married to a beautiful woman but she was boring and had two kids. Then they called me back for another TV thing and I said, “Yeah, it would be very interesting to do it again,” so I went back and I actually saw myself dying in jail. I was sentenced to life and I was bad. I saw myself dying and then I saw something like my soul or something and it came out through my head and it formed into a light, like a little sun or a comet and then my whole conscience and all my feelings were in that thing and I looked down on my body and I was very sad and then another lifetime started. Then the lady said, “OK, now you’ve gotta come back!” and she woke me up and said, “Tell me the first thought that comes to mind!” and my first thought was that “You have to do good in life.That’s the most important thing.” It’s very simple, but it’s very important. Maybe that’s why now I’m a little girl, because I overdid it. I had too much fun and I didn’t care, so now I care. [laughs]
Metalshrine: Ronnie James Dio then? What did he mean to you?
Doro: When I first met him, I couldn’t even speak English. It was in the ’80s and it was my second tour. I think it was ’87. The first one was with JUDAS PRIEST and it was my first time in Sweden and then with Ronnie James Dio in ’87 and we had a great relationship but it was limited. We didn’t really talk much. It was in the ’80s and these big productions and there wasn’t actually much time to talk. Then I did a song for a Dio tribute album, “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” and then times in the ’90s were difficult when grunge was so big. Finally metal was coming back a little bit and I went to the “Magica” release party in New York. I went there and I said, “Hey Ronnie, congratulations to your new album!” and he said, “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here. I wanted to tell you that I love the song you did for the tribute album!” Later on I was listening to the radio and Ronnie was on doing an interview and the DJ said “OK, what song do you wanna hear?” and he said “Let’s hear ‘Egypt (The Chains Are On)’.” and it was our version. I was ready to cry and I was so touched. Then I did an interview with KNAC and my record was just being finished, “Calling The Wild” and then the lady asked me “So, any touring plans for the States?” and I said “Yeah, of course we wanna go on tour. Maybe opening up for somebody or do our own headlining tour in the clubs.” She said, “How about a tour with Ronnie James Dio?” and I said, “Yeah, that would be awesome!” She then said “He’s calling in an hour. Should I suggest it?” and she did. We ended up on tour together a couple of weeks later and it was the best tour in my life. It meant so much when metal came back in the States. I gave my life insurance to go on tour for the tour bus and the crew. It costs you and the record companies didn’t do any tour support anymore. We went on tour together and it was the best tour. It meant so much. We went to Florida and I was watching the show every night and sometimes we went out to dinner, the whole crew and bands and it was so good. I remember Ronnie loved Indian food so we always went to Indian restaurants. At one of the last shows in Florida I was sitting next to the stage and suddenly Ronnie left the stage and the manager said, “You know what’s coming, right?” I said “No.” and then he said, “You’re up!” and Ronnie came with a second microphone and on the last shows we did a couple of songs together. He was so inspiring and every night I watched the show. Even when he was exhausted and sick he gave it his all and he always took the time to greet every fan and write the autographs. I just thought, “I can learn from the best.” We had a good vibe going. He didn’t tell me, but he told some journalist that he was working on “Magica” 2 and 3 and that he wanted to do something together with me. I would’ve loved to do that. Who knows, maybe there is another life? [laughs]
Wolf Hoffmann is an amazing artist indeed, a legend for many of us who influenced many bands and musicians. He is one of the founders of the legendary band ACCEPT who play Metal loud, heavy and powerful. I am one of those lucky journalists who got a chance to have a talk with Wolf and ask him some questions. I believe you’ll find his answers interesting. Check them out below:
Mohsen: Hello Wolf, How is it going today? Any shocking news?
WOLF: Mohsen, nice to meet you. It is a real adventure to be talking to someone from IRAN!
Wonderful news ….plenty. STALINGRAD has been as successful as BLOOD OF THE NATIONS – both albums are still selling and both have been in the top of the charts, sometimes even competing with each other! We are very happy about that. The tours are going great and we have been around the globe twice in not even 24 months and we are starting another tour around the world again in a few weeks.
Mohsen: To begin with, we had a tribute project to Ronnie James Dio and we got several nice messages from many artists like your band mate Stefan, but I’d like to know your opinion about Ronnie and if you have any particular memory of him?
WOLF: Like everybody, I remember him well and he has been one of the greatest and he has left a huge legacy for all of us to enjoy….forever. One of the great artists and great human beings!
Mohsen: You’re going to tour the USA and the Canada with KREATOR this September, it would be a long tour and I’m sure it won’t be a new experience, but would you tell me how do you find living on the road? Myself personally and perhaps our readers would like to hear if you have any particular or funny memories?
WOLF: The tour is about 5 weeks with KREATOR. We share the bill with them as co-headliners. This package is a historic one. It is to bring GERMAN HEAVY METAL to the fans. Both bands are from the industrial area of Germany, where the German Steel is coming from. ACCEPT opened the door for KREATOR and Mille told me, ACCEPT has been his first concert. The interesting aspect of KREATOR is, that he did not copy anybody, they took the inspiration and created their own niche, they made their stand and will leave their vey own legacy. So this is a very special co-operation and the fans will love it!
Mohsen: You shared a stage with Swedish heavy metal band WOLF in the UK last year. The vocalist Nik is a good friend of mine and they are one of my favorites, but what are your thoughts about them?
WOLF: You know, I guess they are a cool band. But, we are so very busy that we hardly have time to hang around. I wish we cold have seen them. However, they did a good job.
Mohsen: Let’s go back to 2009, when the best news of that year, “Metal Heart Beats Again” was published. Can you tell me more about those days, how did you and Peter get the idea of a reunion and did you expect such success that you got from both of your latest albums at the beginning of this reunion?
WOLF: We lived a different life for many years and it has been sheer destiny, that Mark Tornillo – who lives very close to Peter – never ever met Peter. But, he ran into us one day and like us, he had a different life and being a musician has not been on his agenda at that time. In a spur of a moment we invited him to jam with us, fell in love with his voice and he with our music and the rest is history!
Mohsen: ACCEPT seems to have followed the same themes in writing and recording the “Stalingrad” album as you did in your previous album “Blood Of The Nations” (For example writing lyrics which were influenced by WWII). Would you tell me more about it and what exactly the band wanted to say with those albums?
WOLF: ACCEPT has been one of the very first Bands who made very controversial lyrics and it is always about suppression, dark sides of humanity and a reminder, that there is something you can do about it. We cannot talk about that here, you really have to read the lyrics from BALLS TO THE WALL on….you will see, as the majority of the songwriters and the lyricist are still together there is a golden thread running through it and Mark Tornillo had the gift to continue our tradition.
Mohsen: Some of your fans believe that ACCEPT with Mark is even better than Udo and some do not, but how did you find the differences between working with Mark and Udo?
WOLF: Every time in your life has different circumstances. The voice of a singer is a matter of taste. Today – with Mark we feel absolutely on top of the game! To compare the times we are living in NOW with the past – is not possible. We all grew into different directions and Mark is with us at a time, where we are at our happiest.
Mohsen: Some critics and people believe record labels were killing metal in the 90’s when they were supporting Nu-metal bands. How do you see metal music and the industry today?
WOLF: Yeah, there is something to it. Same thing here, you can not compare the past with the present. Nothing is the same and the Internet has changed EVERYTHING. Today you have to do totally different things than in the past. I consider it as normal. Times change and who cannot change will be left behind!
Mohsen: Would you tell me more about ACCEPT’s future plans and when do you think it would be time for the band to retire? Hopefully not soon though!
WOLF: Hey…we just started…how can I think about RETIREMENT!!! Not possible. We are at our best and as long as the fans want us, we will be there…
Mohsen: You’ve chosen Andy Sneap for both of the band’s latest albums, would you tell me what was the reason and how it was working with him?
WOLF: Andy Sneap is the perfect match for us. We really got close and our creativity is exactly where it needs to be … FLYING HIGH!
Mohsen: Have you any plans to work on another solo album, as your “Classical” album is a masterpiece indeed?
WOLF: yes, that is my secret dream and like with all dreams, they take their time…but something is coming up. I miss that music and I can never let go! You got it …this is MY PASSION!
Mohsen: Photography is one of my favourite kinds of art, so I’m glad to ask you about that part of your life, how did you find out that you like photography? And would you tell me more about your techniques and influences?
WOLF: I am an Anselm Adams scholar…but drifted towards corporate photography in later years. I always work, when I can. Lately ACCEPT’s taking up all my time. But, this will never leave me – like CLASSICAL MUSIC.
Mohsen: As a final word feel free to leave a message to your die hard fans and our readers.
WOLF: I am really sorry, that we have no way of coming to your country. Please follow us on our web site – if you can. We wish for you, that times will change and that we will be able to live in a world without borders. We can only write songs ….telling you, that we understand you and that we love you!
Mohsen: Thanks a lot Wolf for giving me your time.
WOLF: THANK YOU and you are always welcome to write to us!
A house in Cortland, New York that is purported to be the childhood home of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) is being auctioned on eBay, with the minimum starting bid (the seller’s chosen starting price) of $90,000.
Writes the seller: “This is the house [Ronnie] grew up in, wrote songs in, had parties in, and played in!
“We bought the house from Ronnie about 3.5 years ago and have enjoyed living there but it is too small for our growing family. I am listing it on eBay in the hopes that a TRUE Dio fan can get this house and enjoy owning a piece or heavy metal history.
“The house has a detached garage (where Dio used to play with his friends and band mates). A fenced-in backyard great for BBQs and a garden behind the garage (where Ronnie told me himself he buried a trunk that we never got around to digging up). I have found an old mic of his and what looks like some spelling test that were pushed into a knot hole in the floor.
“I have heard many stories from people all over town about going over and listening to Ronnie playing in the garage or going over later in life and partying in the house. If these walls could talk!
“We have had people come visit the house getting their picture taken out front or by the street sign of Dio Way.
“The roof on the house and the garage need work. But we have replaced the heating system and the hot water heater last year. We also added 10 more inches of insulation in the attic.”
The auction ends on August 31.
Ronnie James Dio, real name Ronald James Padavona, was born in New Hampshire on July 10, 1942.
He moved to Cortland, New York at a young age, where he began playing with local acts. A street in Cortland, Dio Way, was named after him in 1988.
On Tuesday, October 9, a second volume of DIO‘s best tracks will be unleashed via Niji Entertainment — “The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2” – a follow-up to the gold-certified “The Very Beast Of Dio”. The 17-track CD picks up exactly where the first volume left off — from 1996 onward. And in addition to featuring such latter-day DIO classics as “Killing The Dragon”, “Push” and “Fever Dreams”, the compilation will also include several rarities that fans have long requested on a single disc — “Electra” (which previously was only a part of the ultra-rare “Tournado” box set), “Prisoner of Paradise” and “Metal Will Never Die”.
As the Ronnie James Dio Facebook page administrator raves, “I absolutely know that every single Dio fan is going to want ‘The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2’! I’m a HUGE Dio fan, just like all of you, and I can’t tell you how excited I am about this CD. I had the pleasure of listening to the CD that was produced, mixed, and remastered by Ronnie‘s longtime engineer, Wyn Davis, and it sounds BLOODY INSANE!!!”
Also included as part of the release will be liner notes penned by long-time supporter and friend of Ronnie‘s, Eddie Trunk from VH1 Classic‘s “That Metal Show”, as well as an awesome front cover painting by artist Marc Sasso (who previously created the covers for DIO‘s “Killing The Dragon” and “Master Of The Moon” albums).
“The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2” will also be receiving a significant promotional push, as it will be promoted on Trunk‘s radio program, and will be given away via the infamous “Box Of Junk” on an episode of “That Metal Show”. And, of course, the very popular official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page will get behind the release — which has over 735,000 fans (and receives between 800,000 to 1,000,000 hits per month).
As the Dio Facebook page administrator notes, “Just to let you know, the first ‘Beast Of Dio’ was only released in the USA and Canada, and has sold over 800,000 CDs to date! This CD will be in EVERY COUNTRY and our Dio store too!”
“The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2” track listing:
01. Killing the Dragon
02. Push
03. The Eyes
04. Along Comes A Spider
05. Better In The Dark
06. Fever Dreams
07. Black
08. Feed My Head
09. Shivers
10. Hunter Of The Heart (live)
11. One More For The Road
12. Lord Of The Last Day
13. Electra (bonus track)
14. As Long As It’s Not About Love
15. This Is Your Life
16. Metal Will Never Die (bonus track)
17. Prisoner Of Paradise (bonus track)
A new DIO compilation album, “The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2”, will be released later in the year. The 17-song set will include three bonus tracks, two of which are new and have never been made available on a full DIO CD before. The cover artwork for the set was created by Marc Sasso, who previously worked on DIO‘s “Killing The Dragon” and “Master Of The Moon” albums.
The original “The Very Beast Of Dio” compilation was officially certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on March 11, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of 500,000 copies.
Issued in October 2000, “The Very Beast Of Dio” was the second greatest-hits collection CD — and the first to be released in the U.S. — from the Ronnie James Dio-fronted band.
In late 2010, former DIO member Craig Goldy revealed that there were plans to release a new song which Ronnie nearly completed before his death. The guitarist told U.K.’s Classic Rock magazine, “We were working on tracks for a new DIO album just before Ronnie died in May [2010]. And we did almost finish one song. Wendy [Dio, Ronnie‘s widow/manager] has been talking about reissuing [DIO‘s] ‘Magica’ album (originally released in 2000) with bonus tracks, including this one.” He adds, “The thing is that the lyrics deal with what Ronnie was going through at the time, when he was battling cancer. So now they are very emotional. It’s hard to listen without a lump in your throat.”
Prior to his death, Ronnie was working on two follow-up albums to “Magica”. One of the songs completed during those sessions, “Elektra”, was made available as part of the DIO “Tournado” box set (which was originally made for the DIO fall 2009 European tour which was cancelled after Ronnie got sick) in a limited edition of 1,500 copies, signed and numbered.
Ronnie previously said about “Elektra”, “It’s a really good song, and part of the whole ‘Magica’ trilogy. It’s hard for it to stand alone, so I did write an explanation of what it was about. It’s just a brief glimpse into what will be ‘Magica’ again. There are some special plans.”
One of the last-ever recorded sons by Ronnie James Dio, “Metal Will Never Die”, appears on “Bitten By The Beast”, the new solo album from Dio‘s cousin David “Rock” Feinstein — a former member of RONNIE DIO & THE PROPHETS, THE ELECTRIC ELVES, ELF, and the leader of the legendary New York band THE RODS.
The second song Ronnie James Dio recorded during the sessions with Feinstein — entitled “The Code” — surfaced on THE RODS‘ latest LP, “Vengeance”.
DIO‘s last release was the “Holy Diver Live” CD, featuring a performance of the classic “Holy Diver” album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live for the very first time in 2005 in front of a sold-out London crowd. It also includes, among others, “Heaven & Hell”, “Sign of the Southern Cross” and “Mob Rules” from vocalist Ronnie James Dio‘s BLACK SABBATH days, “Tarot Woman”, “Man on the Silver Mountain” and “Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll” from the RAINBOW era and “We Rock” from his solo career.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 