DIO – Magica [Deluxe Edition] (2013)
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Ronnie James DIO is one of the most iconic figures in Rock / Metal history. He did so much for the genre that without his input the music would not be the same. He is missed and continues to be honored and respected years after his untimely demise.
Niji Entertainment Group, the company run by his widow Wendy Dio, was set up before Ronnie’s death to take care of his legacy. They have done a wonderful job and are now back with a very special release: Ronnie’s concept effort “Magica”, in a Deluxe Edition.
This is a very welcome 2CD set, as the original album, released in 2000, has been out of print for sometime. The album has sold over 100,000 copies, but is still sought after. Now, Ronnie’s fans will be thrilled to learn that they can get “Magica” once again… only improved and better than ever.
The album not only contains the original CD remastered, which features the DIO classics “Fever Dreams,” “Turn to Stone,” “Lord of the Last Day” and “Feed My Head,” they also get a very special second disc.
The bonus disc contains Ronnie narrating “The Magica Story” in its entirety with his incredible voice, but that’s not all. After listening to the rock icon tell the tale, there are six never before released live tracks from the 2000/2001 tour and two bonus tracks, “Annica”, which was only available as a Japanese bonus track along with “Electra” which was a song meant for the sequel to “Magica”.
“Magica” marks the return of guitarist Craig Goldy, and also features Jimmy Bain on bass, Simon Wright on drums, and Scott Warren on keyboards.
I think this underrated concept album is a fantastic piece of work comparable to any DIO ’80s releases, a lot of effort has been put into this creation. Ronnie’s vocals on “Magica” often remind me of the early Rainbow albums, which is great.
At the end of the day, this is a double-disc that all of Ronnie’s fans will want in their collection, as it is a tribute to one of the truly great and important figures in Metal Rock history.
CD1 : “Magica” Remastered
1. Discovery
2. Magica Theme
3. Lord Of The Last Day
4. Fever Dreams
5. Turn To Stone
6. Feed My Head
7. Eriel
8. Challis
9. As Long As It’s Not About Love
10. Losing My Insanity
11. Otherworld
12. Magica- Reprise
13. Lord Of The Last Day – Reprise
CD 2 : Deluxe Edition Bonus
1. The Magica Story (Narrated By Ronnie James Dio)
2. Annica (Japanese Only Bonus Track)
3. Electra (Recorded for Magica 2 & 3)
4. Feed My Head (Official Live Bootleg)
5. Fever Dreams (Official Live Bootleg)
6. Turn To Stone (Official live Bootleg)
7. Lord Of The Last Day (Official Live Bootleg)
8. As Long as It’s Not about Love (Official live bootleg)
9. Losing My Insanity (Official live bootleg)
Ronnie James Dio – vocals, keyboards
Craig Goldy – guitars, keyboards
Jimmy Bain – bass
Simon Wright – drums
Scott Warren – keyboards
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Magica-Deluxe-Dio/dp/B00C99WXWS