Heavy Maytal- Dio's "Dream Evil"

Since I have already reviewed 'Sacred Heart" just last year, I am skipping ahead to this album, which I wore out when it came out. It was darker than bands like Twisted Sister and Judas Priest were doing at this time. Craig Goldy replaced Vivian Campbell on this album, which factors into a shift in sound.  The opening track is pretty heavy on guitar solos and your typical Dio uptempo opener. But lyrically brilliant as he asks questions like "do you come alive with neon kills the sun shine?" Why yes, I do. The title track is one of his all-time strongest songs. The verses are pretty typical for him, but the chorus is perfectly produced and performed. There are moments in "Sunset Superman" that remind me of his Sabbath years, though the chorus is certainly the kind of anthem Dio was known for cranking out. 

Dio's take on power ballads was different from others from this era. There was a more mystical atmosphere to them that can be felt in the languid melody that leads off "All the Fools Sailed Away".  In some ways, it is not unlike some of Ozzy's work in this regard. Though this feels more menacing when it kicks in on the verse. Lyrically, there is also more depth than Ozzy's solo work, though the subject differs greatly. I had totally forgotten about the keyboard solo leading into the guitar solo on this song. 

"Naked in the Rain" sounds like it could have been left over from the "Sacred Heart" sessions. Craig Goldy's most impressive playing is on "Overlove". "I Could Have Been a Dreamer' shows the more emotionally sentimental side to some of Dio's anthems. It is consistent with who he is, but balanced out by songs like "Faces in the Window". The last song, "When A Woman Cries" has more groove to it and despite the shredding leans towards the shadow side of Dio though the darkest song on the album. I will give this underrated album a 10 as it has held up over the years, even with the synth prescence carrying over from "Sacred Heart".