Customer Reviews

Dream Evil

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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!

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!

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!!!!

This was Dio's fourth lp as I have never had any doubt that Dio would last THIS long as he continues to release decent CD's every couple of years.'Dream Evil' appears to be more melodic than his previous three albums.The playing,arrangements and song writing are pretty well done as I've always enjoyed listening to this disc.Tracks that did it for me were the title cut "Dream Evil","Sunset Superman",the metal ballad "All The Fools Sailed Away" and "I Could Have Been A Dreamer"(love the video for this song).Line-up:Ronnie James Dio-vocals,Jimmy Bain-bass,Claude Schnell-keyboards,Craig Goldie-guitar and Vinnie Appice-drums.LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL!!

Released in 1987, *Dream Evil* showcases new guitarist Craig Goldy. This is probably the most melodic of the DIO "solo" albums...an extremely tight production, rich keyboards are plentiful.

I interviewed Ronnie recently and he said that every album he writes and records reflects where he was at, at that stage of his life. This album has several references
to "Dreams"...perhaps an acknowledgement to dreams he had then realized having finally made it "on his own" after a successful run with Rainbow & Black Sabbath.

As a lyricist, imagery is Ronnie Dio's strongpoint...*Dream Evil* is abundant with it...and the music compliments those words perfectly.

One of Dio's finest works.

-Dan
07-20-02

After 1985's "Sacred Heart", the ensuing tour, and the 1986 release of the "Intermission" EP, Dio had released four recordings in four years, and seemed to have "jumped the shark" in terms of repetitive lyrical content (dungeons, dragons, fire, stone, rainbow, etc.), pop-metal compositions ("Shoot Shoot", "Hungry For Heaven", "Mystery", "Rock And Roll Children"), and an overly elaborate stage show (Ronnie James Dio battling a dragon!). Not to mention that original Dio guitarist Vivian Campbell, a wonderful player, defected in 1986. What would become of Dio?

The answer comes in the form of this dark, slightly decelerated collection of songs featuring new Dio sideman Craig Goldy, previously of Rough Cutt and Giuffria. "Dream Evil" is a sophisticated Dio record that is more than the sum of its parts, with songs that are all at least very solid, some spectacular, and certainly the most impressive Dio collection since 1983's seminal "Holy Diver".

The mood of the album is dark, with little reprieve, beginning with "Night People", the album's standout track; a furious bit of machine-gun riffing and effective keyboards from Claude Schnell. "Dream Evil" features a guitar riff that is first cousin to that in Rainbow's "Man On The Silver Mountain", a mid-paced rocker. "Sunset Superman" carries a ferocious groove, while "Overlove" is a fast track with a thirty-second opening showcasing Craig Goldy's ability to play it fast and fluid.

The songs that begin to veer toward pop territory, "All The Fools Sailed Away", "Naked In The Rain", "I Could Have Been A Dreamer", and "When A Woman Cries", are all cut short of that point either thematically or musically, leaving tracks that ache with regret and anguish.

Individual performances are all excellent on this record, with RJD delivering his typical, high-caliber metal vocals, Craig Goldy turning in an impressive debut (although his playing certainly lacks something of Vivian Campbell's pyrotechnics), Jimmy Bain and Vinny Appice ably locking down the rhythms, and Claude Schnell supporting all of it behind the scene with tasteful, unobtrusive keyboard work. The only track that sounds dated perhaps is "When A Woman Cries", the one song in which keyboards are featured prominently and lend that peculiar "80s" quality.

In summary, if you're a fan of classic heavy metal, or a Dio fan who hasn't yet purchased "Dream Evil", do so now! If you're new to Dio, this is a good place to start, as well. At Amazon "Dream Evil" is currently priced under $6.00, which you just can't beat.

When " Dream Evil " was first released I was very disappointed, maybe it was because Craig goldy's playing was so different than Cambell's, but what the reason was I am not sure anymore. I recently purchased this cd to replace my vinyl copy and I have to say after listening to the cd again after several years I was pleasently surprised. Dio's voice is powerful as always but I was surprised at the strength of the songwriting, and I would recommend this Dio album to any fan of classic heavy metal.

This Dio's Japanese mini-lp replica version album is simply a work of art! Very beautifully designed with all the lyrics included and with a sound quality remastered to perfection.
This is by far the best version of this album, 24 BIT REMASTERS, only available for Japan in this format. A must have in any CD collector's library.
NOTE: Universal titles are highly limited!

Following the abrupt departure of guitarist Vivian Campbell in the middle of the Sacred Heart tour, there was severe doubt amongst Dio fans as to whether the band could continue on without him. 1987's Dream Evil was the first Dio album to be released after Campbell left the band, and it put any doubts to rest once and forever.

This was the first Dio album to feature Craig Goldy on guitar. I know I'm going to get myself into trouble here, but he's my favorite Dio guitarist INCLUDING Vivian Campbell. He has quite a different approach to playing guitar than Campbell; his playing is thoughtful and melodic whereas Campbell is all fire and passion. Goldy writes great riffs that remind me of Ritchie Blackmore, and his solos have melody lines that I can hum. All three of the albums he's done with Dio (Dream Evil, Magica, and Master Of The Moon) are killer. As for the rest of the band, this was the last Dio album to feature the dynamite rhythm section of Vinny Appice (drums) and Jimmy Bain (bass), and they're as amazing as ever. Bain in particualar delivers a career-defining performance here. Keyboardist Claude Schnell is more apparent here than on any other Dio album except Sacred Heart, and his playing is inventive and athmospheric. Ronnie James Dio outdoes himself on this album. This is one of his finest vocal performances on record. The production isn't quite as good as the Dio's earlier releases. Dio seems to be going for a darker sound, and it winds up sounding a bit muddy in places. The bass isn't terribly well recorded.

This recording features some of the best songs in the Dio catalog; it amazes me that the band doesn't play these tunes much in concert these days. "All The Fools Sailed Away" is a great heavy ballad and definitely the best track here, "Night People" and "Faces In The Window" are kick-butt rockers, and other stand-outs include the riff-rocker "Dream Evil" and the highly melodic "Naked In The Rain". Every track on here is great. The only thing I can really complain about is a kind of awkward chorus on "Sunset Superman", but it really doesn't ruin the song. A lot of people complain about "I Could Have Been A Dreamer" but although it is kind of popish I still like it; it's a really GOOD pop song.

GET THIS ALBUM. This is a great metal masterpiece, and ranks only slightly below Holy Diver as Dio's finest offering.

Yes it is really that good. Many people put The Last in Line behind Holy Diver but I have always liked this album more. Not a weak song on it.

As a fan of Dio from his Rainbow days I would grab up his solo albums as soon as they came out. I was a little worried when Vivian Campbell left the band and was replaced by Craig Goldy, but after 1 listen to this album I was blown away. Goldy is more than a passable replacement for Campbell. In fact I would go so far as to say he is every bit Campbell's equal and his guitar work on this Dio album, and others, is outstanding.

From the opening riff of Night People, which is a great opener, to the last tone of When a Woman Cries this album is fantastic.

My favorite tracks on it are:
Night People
Dream Evil
Sunset Superman
All the Fools Sailed Away
Overlove
I Could Have Been a Dreamer.

As you can see that is 6 of the 9 tracks on the album. Not to say the other 3 tracks aren't good, they are, I just like those 6 songs the best.

Buy it, you won't be disappointed.