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DI0'S
Concert Review
at the Roseland, New York city, NY
The opening band, Hammerfall was excellent. This was their first trip to the US in
nearly four years. They had a five-song set that opened with "Heeding the Call".
The venue wasn't very full at this time but those who where there had their hands
pumping in the air for the whole set. The second song, "Renegade" was faster than
the first and fired the crowd up even more. I had never heard Hammerfall before
this night, and I was pleasantly surprised. They are melodic and the vocalist has a
heck of a voice. The band seemed tight and happy to be the opener for this tour.
They blasted through their set finishing up with "Let the Hammer Fall", "Hearts on
Fire" (from their latest release Crimson Thunder), and "Hammerfall". Everyone loved
them and the tone was set for DIO's triumphant return to NYC.
King's X was next. These guys are a good band. They don't belong on this tour.
Their type of music was a sharp contrast to the mood set by Hammerfall and the vibe
that Dio emits. The excitement created by the first band was lost when King's X
played their set. They jammed out and sounded really good. They need to be our
their own tour, with bands in the same vein as themselves. I understand they will
be doing some headlining shows after this tour is over. They will get the audience
reaction they deserve doing their own gigs. 'Nuff said.
The last in line was the eternal Dio. They were filming a DVD on this Friday the
13th in New York City, and the crowd was pumped. Ronnie started out with the first
song from his new album of the same name, "Killing the Dragon". He has put together
a great band with Jimmy Bain on bass, Simon Wright on drums, Doug Aldrich on
guitar, and Scott Warren on keyboards. Next came the ominous medley of "Egypt the
Chains Are On/Children of the Sea/Eygpt…/Children…". We were blown away, I tell ya.
At 60 years of age this little fella sounds amazing. The best he has in years. His
voice is legendary and he hits all the notes powerfully. His stage presence is
eerie yet calming. The band put on an excellent show. Next came "Push", the first
single from his new album, which was followed by a drum solo from the Royal Simon
Wright. Now the madness begins. "Stand up and Shout", "Don't Talk to Strangers",
"Man on the Silver Mountain" (with guitar solo), and on and on and on.
The show also included a very strong version of "Long Live Rock and Roll" which
ended with a reprise of "Man on the Silver Mountain". RJD also did a few from his
previous release, Magica including "Lord of the Last Day", and "Fever Dreams". The
new "Rock and Roll" was impressive, serving as a new anthem for undying generations
of metal crazed monsters. Now wait till I tell ya about the end. I'm getting
excited just writing this review, my heart pumps as I recall "Holy Diver" into my
all-time favorite "Heaven and Hell".
 Yeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
The band tore the place to shreds with "The Last in Line". Ronnie slithered around
the stage. Dressed all in black with a shiny large cross on his shirt. The horns
were up and down for this song. By this point the crowd was singing along, not
missing a lyric, like it was our show and we were performing.
The show closed with "Rainbow in the Dark" into the fist and head and sweat and rage
and freedom of "We Rock".
I don't think I need to say anything else.
My only disappointment was the line up. King's X, although excellent, do not belong
paired with these other two bands in an intimate setting such as this. This set up
definitely took away from the show as a whole. The roof would have blown off the
place with a different band in the middle slot. Musically, it was a great show, with
all performances being top-notch.
9 out of 10 keyboards.
By Lord M
Dio - Official Site
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