Dream Evil

Dio | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 15, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino Flashback
• ASIN: B001AUKUTU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,639 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #67 in Music > Classic Rock > Glam

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "the dark that you find in the back of your mind", April 11, 2005

By 

mwreview "mwreview" (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Dream Evil (Audio CD)

I became a metalhead in the late 1980s and immediately became a fan of Ronnie James Dio. Dream Evil (1987) was the first Dio album I bought and it was and remains one of my favorite metal albums of all-time. In fact, it is definitely in my top 3. I went on to buy Dio's back catalog of albums, but Dream Evil is still the best. Dio's previous albums are great, of course, but there are at least one of two weak tracks on them: "Mystery" and "Eat Your Heart Out" on The Last in Line, maybe "Shame on the Night" off Holy Diver, and, let's face it, several tracks off Sacred Heart. Dream Evil is absolutely solid! Every track is awesome! When I make Dio compilation tapes, it is difficult to decide which Dream Evil tracks to leave off.

The best of the best are the powerful title track, the adrenaline-driving "Faces in the Window" and the beautiful epic track "All the Fools Sailed Away." The latter was a single with a cool, dark, nautical video complete with bon fires, spooky sailing ship, skeletons in a lifeboat, and Ronnie and the boys looking great in their classic frilly shirts and jackets. "I Could Have Been a Dreamer," another excellent track, also offered a rarely-seen video. "Naked in the Rain" is another favorite of mine. The line: "Two children, guns loaded, take aim and blow all the dreams away" is my favorite part of the track. It is musically, and lyrically very powerful. The use of keyboards in "When a Woman Cries" really makes the last track unique. So I do not sound like a sycophant, I will give one criticism: "Sunset Superman" is extremely repetitive at the end. Other than this one gripe, Dream Evil is just about perfect. If you only have Dio's first two more well-known releases, and somehow missed out on Dream Evil, get it now! It will not disappoint!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Dio classic, May 12, 2003

By 

J. Wesley Townsend "westknife" (new york) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dream Evil (Audio CD)

Dream Evil is one of the best Dio albums - his songwriting is arguably at its peak on this record. Several of the songs, including "Night People", "Overlove", and the title track "Dream Evil", are among Dio's best ever. The best song by far, however, is "All the Fools Sailed Away". This song is amazing! The synths in the chorus are so powerful, it is such a good hook. I would buy this album just for that one song.

There are a couple things that could be better, though: one is the obvious absence of Vivian Campbell. Although the great Dio guitarist is not on the record, his replacement, Craig Goldie, is not half-bad. He actually tears it up pretty well. And the other two original members, Jimmy Bain and the awesome Vinny Appice, are still here of course! The other thing that is not too hot about the album is the production. Unlike the clean, sharp production of his earlier albums like Holy Diver and Last In Line, this one tries to go for a "heavier" type sound. Unfortunately, it is more muddled, and the bass at times is almost completely lost. Also, his voice sounds strange and distorted; that is one of the first things I noticed when I got it.

But, all in all, Dream Evil is a very strong record, with some amazing material. Even the filler is saved by a good hook here and there, and ALWAYS a great guitar solo!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Japan Remaster is MUCH MUCH better than the 'tinny' USA release!!, October 24, 2008

By 

Tuco (Phoenix, Az USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dream Evil (Audio CD)

Great overlooked album by DIO - especially for those who like 'fast' Dio.

This review is to recommend the HARD N HEAVY 24 bit remaster release out of Japan. Yes, it is more expensive, but be assured that the remastered recording is VERY FAR SUPERIOR to the current and past US release they are pawning off for $5.00 NEW all over the place.

The US release is a tinny-sounding muffled, distorted, mess while the Hard n' Heavy Japan release (available here on Amazon) returns this recording to what it should have always been. Strong bass, clear cymbals and no muffled Ronnie vocals.

Usually I am not impressed enough by remasters to warrant the upgrade and extra bucks, but DREAM EVIL was a botched recording from the start and this Japan release sounds more like the standard set by the original Holy Diver/Last in Line CD releases.

Well worth the extra money for fans looking to appreciate this recording to the fullest!!!!