Was working on a Top 5 albums of 1985 podcast episode and have fond memories of this album, so going to take a listen to see if it holds up. This is the last album with Vivian Campbell playing on it and marks the peak of the Dio solo years. There was tension in the studio during these sessions, but the album is better for it. It opens with a rocker in "King of Rock' N Roll". Other songs on this album might get more recognition, but the title track might be my favorite. Vinny Appice's playing works well to give this album drive, and he keeps things very deliberate on this one.
"Another Lie' is everything I wanted from a Dio song; it has hooks and grit in equal measure while being darker than most of the other more commercial metal at this time. "Rock N Roll Children" has Journey-like Keyboards, and even as a kid, I could tell this was more accessible than his other songs, but it works for what it is. "Hungry For Heaven' was the other big single from this album, and while it is a more streamlined version of what he does, it is a great songwriting. "Like the Beat of a Heart" is heavier and the kind of metal Dio fans wanted delivered.
There is more of a Judas Priest-like swagger to "Just Another Day." As a kid, "Fallen Angels" was lyrically my favorite song on this album; it's also the darkest of those tracks. In today's culture 'Shoot Shoot" would have never worked lyrically, since everyone is afraid of guns. I will give this album a 10, as it's my favorite metal album of 1985. I am posting a link below to the episode if you want to heaqr more about it's place in 80s metal at the time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlyTC5YDUYo
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