Customer Reviews

Killing the Dragon

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Ronnie James Dio's biggest problem is that he started his solo career with two of the best straightforward Heavy Metal albums of all time. Where could he go from there? So with the inevitable decline (which still saw the release of some very good albums) Dio slowly faded from an Arena God to another trooper carrying the banner for Heavy Metal and playing large clubs and small theaters. All the while Dio fans hoped for (and many expected) another GREAT Dio album. Killing The Dragon is that album. With solid (and very memorable) melodies, and great riffs, Killing The Dragon sounds like a combination of Sacred Heart and Dream Evil with bits of The Last In Line and Lock Up The Wolves thrown in. New guitar player Doug Aldrich is a solid and sometimes flashy fret burner, and he adds a lot to the album. Jimmy Bain is solid, as usual, and he contributed as a songwriter to nine of the ten songs on the album. Bain has always been underrated and unappreciated as a songwriter, but Killing The Dragon is proof that he was a bigger part of the early Dio (the band) success than most fans knew. Simon Wright is solid as well, giving the album a very strong foundation. Some of the songs are among the best Dio has ever done, and even the weakest songs on the album are better than most of what Dio has done in the last decade (which hasn't been bad, it just wasn't as good as what he did earlier). Some of the songs on Killing The Dragon lean more towards Melodic Metal or Hard Rock, but there isn't really anything "wimpy" on the album. This is an album that fits in well with the first four DIO albums. If you've ever liked Dio then you should definitely get Killing The Dragon. Now. You won't be disappointed. BUY IT!

When Killing the Dragon was released in May I was hearing about how there was going to be tour edition, so I decided to wait to purchase the album until the edition came out. Of course they wait ended up being quite long, and the album didn't penetrate stores around here for over a month after release. However in October I got a copy of Killing the Dragon Limited Edition. The album is great, it's not Holy Diver, but it's another great album from Dio. There are two bonus live tracks (featuring Ronnie with Deep Purple.) The two songs are "Fever Dreams" and of course "Rainbow in the Dark." I especially like the live version of "Rainbow in the Dark" but "Fever Dreams" is excellent also. The Limited Edition also includes a screen saver for your computer (which isn't too great, but still pretty neat) and the music video for "Push." "Push" is a decent song, and the video is pretty good, and if you want to see it you'll probably have to get it here, since MTV never plays good music. Anyways, it features Tenacious D in the beginning playing an acoustical parody of "Heaven and Hell" VERY funny, especially if you have heard their song about Dio. At the end they try to mimic the music video, also very funny.

If you already own Killing the Dragon, you should only pick up the Limited Edition if you really want to see the music video, or if you're a completist or big fan, you'll probably find it's worth it for the added goodies. It comes in a cardboard covering which is a close-up of the dragon, and then the jewel case features the same cover, and everything is pretty much identical except the CD says "Limited Edition" and the track listing on the back is different, the CD looks the same as the original, except a different tint, but nothing major.

1. Killing the Dragon - One of the best on here, hard rocking riff, great lyrics (anti computer, reminiscent of "Computer God" from Dehumanizer.) Excellent song! 100%

2. Along Comes a Spider- A decent song, pretty face paced. Good riff. 90%

3. Scream - Good song, love the chorus. 90%

4. Better In the Dark - Great song, "monsters always know it's better in the dark" - a song you'd expect from Dio, and he delivers! 95%

5. Rock and Roll - Ok be honest, this riff is almost identical to that found on Rage Against The Machine's song "Wake Up" (not the entire song, but a good chunk.) Anyways this song is really good, it's Dio's response to the music industry for banning him after September 11 on some stations (he found this out by calling to express his sympathy for victims and being told they weren't playing any Black Sabbath or Dio.) Anyways, this song is really great, but it doesn't get 100% because I have to wonder about the riff. 95%

6. Push - The single off Killing the Dragon, a good song, a little bit slower, but I don't see why some people don't like it, one of the better tracks on this album. 100%

7. Guilty - This song is alright, a good chorus, good lyrics. 90%
8. Throw Away Children - This song was supposed to feature guest musicians, but the record wouldn't allow it (something along the line the song would be too depressing.) Anyways it's a great heart-felt song about abused children. Dio supports the Children of the Night foundation, and that's what this song is for. 95%

9. Before the Fall - Decent enough, nothing spectacular though. 85%

10. Cold Feet - A different, slower, more keyboard-heavy song. It's not bad, not a typical Dio song. I like it though. 90%

11. Fever Dreams [Live] - Excellent, Dio sounds great! 95%
12. Rainbow in the Dark [Live] - One of the better live versions of this song I have heard. 95%

Overall if you don't have Killing the Dragon yet, be sure to get this one, and if you really want to see that music video, or hear the lives tracks, it's probably worth it to get this album again (if you're a big Dio fan!)

DIO shows he is still one of the best, if not the best, hard rock vocalists around with several of his latest releases such as "Last In Line: Live", MAGICA, and this one following a little slump in the early 90s. "Killing the Dragon" is a solid hard rock collection and any of Dio's fans will enjoy it.

I don't think it has the power, emotion, and artistry of MAGICA which included such killer tracks as "Fever Dreams", "Challis", "As Long As It's Not About Love", and "Losing My Insanity" (some of the best pure hard rock tunes of the last ten years by Dio or anyone else); however, "Killing the Dragon" is still a good CD. Keep up the good work, Ronnie !!!

Ronnie James has given us another slab of classic metal again. He continues to amaze me even after thirty-five plus years in the music business. Killing The Dragon gives us hints of old Dio and new Dio. This wonderful album starts of with the excellent title track "Killing The Dragon", which is heavy as hell and has really good riffs in it, definitely reminds me of the, "Holy Diver" days.. It is followed by "Along Came A Spider", with it's awesome lyrics and balanced tempo. After that the album is followed by the heavy hitter, "Scream", then "Better In The Dark", "Rock And Roll", "Push", "Guilty", "Throw Away Children", "Before The Fall", and "Cold Feet". Overall it is a great album, and that is why I gave it four stars, I would have given it five but I thought a few songs were okay but not great and they are "Rock And Roll", "Guilty", and "Throw Away Children", but as I said before, overall it is very good Dio music , so if you are a Dio fan -- buy this album, you will not be sorry.

With the release of Killing the Dragon, Ronnie James Dio captures the catchy hook of his Holy Diver and Last In Line heyday and blends it with the rich musical tapestry of his vastly under-appreciated opus Magica.
Doug Aldrich joins the group and establishes a middle ground between the blistering fretwork of Vivian Campbell (Holy Diver, Last in Line Sacred Heart) and the heavier crunching riffs of Craig Goldy (Dream Evil, Magica).
The songs are also a blend. "Better in the Dark" would be perfectly at home on Last in Line and if "Push" doesn't receive a great deal of airplay, it will be a travesty.
Other songs capitalize on Ronnie's mastery of the language and weave rich lyrical pictures. On "Throw Away the Children", he tell the story of a runaway (Ronnie is a vocal supporter of Children of the Night, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving children from the ravages of street life and prostitution).
All in all, this album has a lot more hits than misses. Of the 10 songs on the disc, eight are definite pleasers and the other two - "Before the Fall" and "Cold Feet" - are still highly listenable.
If you're a fan of Ronnie or of metal icons in general, this disc would be a fine addition to your collection.

This is not a good as Holy Diver or the cd released prior to this one (Magica), but it is still a 4 star release. Okay, I know what you are saying, Why did you give it 5 stars then? Because this was released in 2002. When it comes to 2002 and after, what classic metal artist have made good records? Ozzy? too busy swearing at the kids and the dog on a really bad MTV show and hasn't put out a good disc since 1991's No More Tears. Alice Cooper? Too busy playing golf and tring to be a good guy and still has not put out anything really worth listening to since 1994's Last Temptation. Savatage, a great underground metal band? Has sold-out to playing Christmas carols. Aerosmith?, not since they were on drugs. AC/DC? 1991's Razor's Edge, everything else is garbage. Guns and Roses? com'n, they had one good album. Are you still thinking?
KISS?, give me a break, not since 92'. We all know about Metallica. So if you call yourself a fan of metal, go out and get this one. The opening track is the best and it leads itself into just a great rocking thunderous album. It is rare that every song on a record is worht listening to. This is the one. By the way, what has Def Leppard and Iron Maiden put out of late?

I am a 36 year old former metal maniac that, for whatever reason, has been revisiting the genre in the last year after a long absence.

Thats what led me to see Dio when he came thru Portland, Oregon on the opening night of the tour to support this record.
The show absolutely rocked. Dio and band were tight, and obviously enjoying themselves. What a treat to see one of my favorite bands from the 80's for the first time in a small venue. . .

Anyway, I bought this album in the aftermath of that show and have been listening to it quite a bit ever since. One thing an audiophile will appreciate is how awesome the production is, vis a vis the old stuff. There are GREAT guitar tones on this record, and everything is so crisp. This is not another day at the office for Ronnie: he puts his heart and soul into the vocals on this record. Listen as he belts 'wolves at the door, hooooooooowling for more' in the title track. Another major highlight of this record is the guitar playing of Doug Aldrich. His licks are very reminiscent of the classic Dio records, but he puts a fresh new twist that makes it relevant. Some folks in this forum have said Simon Wright is no Vinnie Appice, yet I love the drumming on this record. Absolutely rock solid.

Also, be sure to get the special 'limited edition', if you can, as it includes the 'Push' video with a hilarious intro by Tenacious D. I fully respect Ronnie for embracing Tenacious D- it showcases a sense of self deprecation that is refreshing in an age where artists take themselves way too seriously.

Four and a half stars. (1/2 point off for having 'Dark' in the title of a song)

Well considering that this limitied edition is the same price as the original and that it contains bonus tracks, I would say YES! I can't believe this limited edition is the same price as the original release. Good thing I waited! The bonus tracks are well recorded live tracks with Dio singing as guest performer at a Deep Purple concert. The limited edition comes with the music video to Push, and its great. I'll just tell you that it has Tenacious D in it and that makes it oh so much better. I love how Dio got them to be in the music video after they came out with the "Ballad to Dio" song. A must. CD case also comes in a cool slip jacket, much like the the slip cases the new Iron Maiden CD's come in. If you already bought the original, don't bother forking over the dough for this so called "Limited Edition". But if you haven't bought Killing the Dragon yet, make sure you pick up this version because it is a treat.

Dio goes back to the eighties metal style, and this album is good. This album is as good as The Last In Line, so it must be good, very good. But the reason why it was a bit of a disapointing album for me is because I expected anoter masterpiece like Magica. Killing the Dragon is great, but not as powerful as Magica. But this album is still very good, the only weak song is Before the Fall, the rest is great. My favorite songs are Throw Away Children, Killing The Dragon and Scream. The new guitarist is also very good, his style is similar to Vivian Campbell's style. Ronnie James Dio sings great as always and the rest of the band is good too.
The band is:
Ronnie James Dio - Vocals
Doug Aldrich - Guitars
Simon Wright - Drums
Jimmy Bain - Bass
Scot Warren - Keyboards

Buy it if you are a metal fan!

Dio is back on track! After the great magica he releases this masterpiece. Maybe this one is even better then Magica, but I'm not sure about that at all. This album kicks ass! This is an album that could have been released right after The Last In Line! Does Dio sounds that good? YES HE DOES! DIO MEANS GOD AND THAT IS WHAT HE IS FOR SURE! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! With Magica and this album he makes up what he did to us with Strange Highways and Angry machines. No, these albums weren't that bad, I would give them both 3 stars. But it were disapointing albums, and Magica and Killing the Dragon aren't at all disapointing! I will rate the songs for you:
1. Killing The Dragon(10/10)
2. Along Comes A Spider(10/10)
3. Scream(10/10)
4. Better In The Dark(10/10)
5. Rock & Roll(10/10)
6. Push(9/10)
7. Guilty(8/10)
8. Throw Away Children(10/10)
9. Before The Fall(8/10)
10. Cold Feet(7/10)

So as you can see, this album is great, it rocks! If you are a metal fan, then you must own this album! DIO ROCKS! \m/