Dio - Dream Evil review

Dio "Dream Evil" Perhaps the most underrated of all RJD´s albums, Dream Evil was released in 1987.

With disappointing sales following the phenomenal smash that was "Sacred Heart",

"Dream Evil" was nevertheless the best album creatively since '83´s "Holy Diver".

Strangely there is not a single dud track on the album, always a good thing in my book.

Opening with the interesting "Night People" there follows an album full of peaks and valleys.

The fact that said peaks and valleys involve tempo and structure instead of song quality is a glowing compliment to the album.

My personal favourites on the album, to name a few, are "Sunset Superman", "Dream Evil", "All The Fools Sailed Away" and "When a Woman Cries".

As far as title tracks go "Dream Evil" is a very enjoyable piece, with a dirty grinding riff being mixed masterfully with a soft and angelic keyboard effect.

One has to wonder however if "Dream Evil" would really have been Ronnie’s first choice for the honor if it weren´t
for the fact that it was being considered for the soundtrack of an "Elm Street" film.

The reason I say this is that it is followed by the simply classic "Sunset Superman",
a song so good that DE is often dug out just to hear this track alone.

Of course it has the "Turkish Delight" ad intro that was becoming just a bit tiresome at this point, but this is made up for with a powerful riff and drum beat that would have been quite simply impossible to do if Vivian Campbell had still been in the band.

Of course I must not forget to mention Dio’s vocals, which are simply some of the most impassioned in his entire career.

"All The Fools Sailed Away" has gained something of a cult status with the Dio fanbase,
gaining a rapturous reception at the recent Dio world tour. When you hear the song though it is obvious why this is so.

The song structure is rather different from the usual Dio fare,
with the song having a good amount of light and shade along with a nice slow tempo. This, coupled with the rather unique experience that is a Dio keyboard solo, means that this is arguably the musical event of the record.

As an album closer "When a Woman Cries" is excellent.

This is marked by one of the few performances that have truly impressed me by Vinny Appice.

Vin´s lack of top quality tempo is negated by the fact that his drum riff is interesting and refreshingly original.

Ronnie almost wastes the song by putting in a rather cumbersome bridge which hampers the songs logical progression, but his amazing vocals during the bridge redeem the situation.

Of course the aforementioned songs are just a brief outline of the album´s highlights,
but going through a nine track album song by song would be enough to be put anyone to sleep.

That said I would like to point out that "I Could Have Been A Dreamer"
and "Naked in the Rain" are worthy of a special mention. Quite why "Dream Evil" was not more successful
commercially is a point that I am not really positioned to answer, as I was only three feet high at the time!

That said I have a few theories. Firstly it has been said that it was not pushed enough by the record company.
I cannot really say if this is the case but Ronnie James Dio himself was reported to have said such.

Secondly the induction of Craig Goldie may not have gone down too well with the fans at the time.

Of course it is always hard for the fans to accept a new man taking the place of an established favourite, but this album has a unique feel all of it´s own and perhaps the fans should not have been so quick to judge.

On the whole Goldie proves himself to have just as much skill technically as Viv Campbell.

This coupled with his undeniable skills at composing songs and his far more flexible style are reasons for which I actually rate Goldie higher than Campbell.

Lastly this would not be the first time that people have just not caught on when an excellent album has came out.
Just ask Pierre Gren, champion of the little known Swedish metal-pop act Viking Love Boat.

As an album "Dream Evil" stands on it’s own merits and stands well. As an album bearing that familiar ruby motif,
I would place it third on the all time list, behind "Holy Diver" and "Magica" respectively.

No self respecting Dio fan should be without it and I would recommend those people who have not heard it
to acquire a copy as soon as possible.

Written by Michael Larkin

Swedish Rainbow comments:
 Thanks you Michael for yet another GrEaT review.
This has been really interesting to read.
One thing I think you missed, was "Faces in the Window".
I think it is such a great song, with a very "Dio-ish" riff, and style...
But as you said, a track-by-track review could be boring, but I´m sure that it wouldn´t
be if you wrote it ! Magic !