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Notes
- The rumours about Magica being a concept album about the Fatima legend are false.
- Magica is, however, a concept album.
- There was a short story on the back side of the promotional copy you see in the image above. That story goes:
Ronnie James Dio, arguably
metal's most enduring and well regarded heavy metal vocalist returns
with his first new work in four years, a concept album which is
surprisingly his first in 35 years as a recording musician. But don't
expect a concept record in the standard sense of the word. Having seen
many attempts amongst his metal compatriots through the years, Dio has
something special in store. As is begetting his proven literary stature,
the critical mass of the album itself is cloaked in allegory and
metaphor, abstraction to the point where little of the plot can be
ascertained within the flow of the songs. Such illumination is left for
the booklet, as well as the 20 minute narration from Ronnie that caps
and brackets the record. Ronnie explains: "Not ever having done
this before, and wanting to take some time with it, I didn't want to be
foolish about it. These things can turn out pretty strange. It has its
peaks and valleys of course, but it has to tell a story. I didn't want
to do it all in verse. So it tells the story in music as well, with logs
of high relief, share and light. It's much more involved than the things
we've done before, but again, it retains the character of Dio music. As
well, the songs can be removed from the whole process and stand on their
own, so much so, that I've provided the narration. I'm trying to tell as
much as I can in the music, but I want to tell something extra. But in
essence, it's a journey that should be consumed beginning to end."
Musically, Ronnie's band has turned in a regal, self-assured timeless
performance as befits their veteran status within metal's upper
echelons. On guitar and co-writer, Dio welcomes back Dream Evil axeman
Craig Goldy. Simon Wright also returns to the fold, having pounded the
skins for 1990's Lock up the Wolves. And last but definitely not least
Magica marks the return of bass legend Jimmy Bain, having worked with
Ronnie during Rainbow's golden era. So everything points to a return: a
reunion of personnel, a reinvigoration back to the roots of Dio's
creative high points (Ronnie feels the record specifically invokes the
spirit of Holy Diver, Mob Rules, & Long Live Rock & Roll) and,
given the weighty grooves enclosed, a return to the critical and
commercial statue Ronnie commanded through much of the 1980's. Magica
awaits...
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