Better in the Dark--RealAudio   Scream--RealAudio

Turning back the clock nearly 20 years, Ronnie James Dio has uncovered an old-school quality offering that is fast and aggressive musically, with his voice being as golden as it was back in '83. This release is a drastic improvement over 'Magica', as the tunes pick up the pace from that disc's occasional "bogged down" feel. In fact, RJD's own metal staples 'Holy Diver' and 'The Last in Line' are unavoidably brought to mind at times. Craig Goldie provided the guitar work on the album, but has since had to leave for family reasons. The very competent Doug Aldrich will be touring with the band.
Major kudos to Dio for stepping up to the plate and performing the way that we all know he can.
The fast-chugging and moving title track starts off the metal spree, with "Scream" being a bobbing and sliding affair, and "Better in the Dark" being a top highlight as well.
Strong cuts are intermixed everywhere, including "Along Came a Spider," "Rock and Roll," "Push," and "Guilty". Both "Before the Fall" and the easy sway of "Cold Feet" will bring a grin to the face as well.
Raise your fisted horns, kiddies. Dio is back.

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TRACK LIST: Killing the Dragon/Along Came a Spider/Scream/Better in the Dark/Rock and Roll/Push/Guilty/Throw Away Children/Before the Fall/Cold Feet