Dio - Live in London (Hammersmith Apollo)

Oh, how I've been waiting for a DVD from this era of Dio - and on BluRay, no less. It is a dream come true, and for most Dio fans this is a lost era of the band. The band was struggling to find their own, after hosting 3 different guitarists within the span of 5 years, so to make an impact Ronnie was having to mix things up a bit. The first piece of the puzzle was to find a new guitarist - and that he did when he locked in on newcomer Tracy G (Ex-WWIII), leading to a 6-year partnership. It also marked the debut of Ex-Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson. And if that weren't enough, it also marked the return of long-time drummer Vinny Appice, making this incarnation a force to be reckoned with, as is apparent in the new DVD release: Dio - Live in London.

The DVD was filmed '92, in London, on the the Strange Highways tour, and that album marked a new darker/heavier direction for the band - and was possibly the heaviest record Dio ever made. Live in London is a great document of that tour and record. First off, the band sounds amazing and was definitely on top of their game for this show. The setlist is a mix of classic Dio, with a heavy inclusion of songs from the Strange Highways album. Of course, there are the mandatory Sabbath and Rainbow tunes included, but for the most part it's Dio solo material.

Live in London is shot very well and the hi-definition video gives the viewer a sense of being in the front row.  The picture is next to perfect, albeit in a 4:3 aspect ratio, and the band all seems to be having the time of their life putting on one hell of a show. Ronnie's vocals are dead on, and Tracy's playing is very impressive. One of the things I enjoyed most about this DVD was Tracy's interpretation of the solos of his predecessors, keeping the basic ideas of Campbell, Iommi and Blackmore, but putting his own spin on them. I have to say, this is one of the better live Dio DVDs I have in my collection. It's simply a must have for any Dio fan. Go get it!

The Bottom Line: Dio proves once again that he is the greatest metal vocalist of all time. And this DVD is a testament to how good this era of the band was, with great musicianship and great songs executed to perfection.

- Ragman can't wait to see what the Dio camp releases next...