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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Full Frame
  • Dual Layer (RSDL 72:24)
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • English: DTS 5.1 Surround
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Photo gallery
  • Animated menus
  • Music video - Push
  • Behind the scenes footage
  • Interviews
Dio - Evil Or Divine
Warner Vision/Warner Vision . R4 . COLOR . 139 mins . E . PAL

  Feature
Contract

Having built a reputation with his band Elf in the ‘70s, Dio gained recognition from Richie Blackmore who had recently left Deep Purple and along with half of the band Elf, joined Richie Blackmore to form Rainbow. Dio had a penchant for writing about fantasies and supernatural events and this emerged greatly during this time. Four albums were produced during this period and in 1978 Dio decided to leave Rainbow and join Black Sabbath, rejuvenating the supergroup.

After a disagreement with the band in 1982, he left Black Sabbath to form his own band, aptly named Dio. This new outlet allowed Dio to write all the lyrics and music himself and the band churned out four albums up until 1991 when he went back to front Black Sabbath, touring with them and recording the album Dehumanizer. Dio refused to appear with the band in California upon hearing that Ozzy Osbourne planned to reform the original line-up for his farewell solo tour and Judas Priest’s Rob Halford stepped in. Dio have continued recording and touring ever since.

Dio – Evil Or Divine captures the band live at the Roseland Ballroom, New York in December 2002. It showcases their most recent album Killing the Dragon, but also covers the vast history of this artist.

Track listing...

Killing the Dragon
Egypt/Children of the Sea
Push
Drum Solo
Stand up and Shout
Rock and Roll
Don’t Talk to Strangers
Man on the Silver Mountain
Guitar Solo
Long Live Rock and Roll
Lord of the Last Day
Fever Dream
Holy Diver
Heaven and Hell
The Last in Line
Rainbow in the Dark
We Rock

This is a great concert performance and fans will be more than satisfied. The supporting musicians are incredibly talented and demonstrate their ability well here. The majority of this singer’s career is highlighted in this concert, which runs for over two hours.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

The feature is supplied in full frame and therefore, of course, is not 16:9 enhanced. It is, however, reasonable for a concert performance but a little disappointing for a feature filmed so recently. There are many of the normal problems associated with concerts such as colour over-saturation, lack of detail on audience shots and halo effects. These are usually caused by stage lighting so can be excused to a degree. There are no film artefacts or subtitles and the layer change occurs at 72:24 right in the middle of a track, which proves a major distraction.

There are three choices of audio for this release, a Dolby Digital stereo mix, a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix and a DTS 5.1 surround mix. The stereo mix is reasonable offering great clarity. There is not too much difference between the DD 5.1 and DTS 5.1 mixes with the latter offering a slightly fuller sound. Surround use is minimal on both of these surround mixes with the rears used for some ambience, otherwise sound is kept across the front speakers. The biggest issue with all three mixes is the audio synch, which is slightly out throughout the entire feature and is quite annoying. The subwoofer also only gets minimal use and could have been utilised more than it is.

A few extras accompany this release. First up is an interview with Dio that runs for 11:22 and offers some good information. Next is a behind the scenes featurette filmed on home video by Dio’s wife Wendy which looks at the build up to the concert. Possibly the best extra is the music video for the song Push which features Tenacious D. Lastly is a photo gallery containing 48 pages of enlargeable photos.

Fans of this band will love this release. Dio is one of the best singers in this genre and although he may look like an aging rock star, he delivers where it counts – on vocals. The concert is a lengthy one covering most of this artist's history and with a choice of three audio mixes, fans should be satisfied. The only real disappointment with the sound is the audio synch problem, but apart from that it is fine. The extras supplied are nice additions so if you are a fan, add this to your collection!


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  •   And I quote...
    "Former Rainbow and Black Sabbath singer Dio in a recent concert performance showing what has kept him around for so long."
    - Adrian Turvey
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DVP-NS305
    • TV:
          AKAI CT-29S55AT 68cm
    • Receiver:
          Sony STR-DE685
    • Speakers:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Centre Speaker:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Surrounds:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Subwoofer:
          Sony SAVE815ED
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