While the metal world may be rightfully ecstatic about the number one debut of Black Sabbath on the Billboard charts, there are other reasons to celebrate. Specifically, the recent DVD/Blu-ray release of the mighty Dio’s legendary 1986 Sacred Heart tour, which Ronnie James Dio and company at the height of their powers.
Check out King Of Rock & Roll below and read on after the jump!
Dio’s 1986 tour is well known for it’s amazing, state of the art stage show, complete with mediaeval stage and working dragon! The band was touring on its third album, and packing arenas nightly. The line-up would be drummer Vinnie Appice, keyboardist Claude Schnell, bassist Jimmy Bain, and guitarist Craig Goldy, who stepped in to replace future Def Leppard member Vivian Campbell when he quit the group. If there’s any sign of worry about filling some big shoes, Goldy doesn’t show it during the Finding The Sacred Heart DVD/Blu-ray. He’s an axeman who clearly loves playing the bands mix of Dio hits, and classics from Black Sabbath and Rainbow.
If you’re watching a Dio video, though, you’re clearly in it for the man himself, and this show, filmed at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, finds him at the peak of his power. Dio is in fine voice as he stalks the stage, interacting with the audience and his band, clearly relishing playing the metal icon he is to the gathered masses.
It’s been three years since Ronnie James Dio passed onto into metal heaven, and his legacy has own grown, thanks to his widow Wendy and the continuing release of some awesome archival material. Finding The Scared Heart is definitely worth your time if you ever loved Dio, or if you just want to find out what the legend is all about.
You can order Dio – Finding The Sacred Heart here.
