Heaven And Hell Drummer: Door Open For New Songs

HEAVEN AND HELL, better known as BLACK SABBATH, capture all of the magic of their spectacular stage show in their first US concert in 15 years in the heart of New York City, with their latest DVD release, Live At Radio City Music Hall. Earlier this year, Heaven And Hell reunited to record three new songs for their The Dio Years compilation. The band kicked off a tour in March of 2007 and chose to film their first US. concert in 15 years at the historic Radio City Music Hall.

The post Ozzy version of Black Sabbath featuring Ronnie James Dio clearly defines why the legendary members of Heaven And Hell - which feature Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice - are extremely seasoned musicians committed to performing with the same standard of excellence that launched the band in 1979.

For any of the Heaven And Hell fans, who had the opportunity to witness the phenomenon of Heaven And Hell live this year, this DVD captures all of the magic of the Heaven And Hell extravagant stage show, but also most important the magic of all four musicians on stage performing classic hits as, 'Mob Rules', 'The Sign Of The Southern Cross' and 'Neon Knights'. The band also performs two new songs, including 'The Devil Cried' featuring an excellent drum solo from Vinny Appice and 'Shadow Of The Wind'.

Other musical highlights of the DVD include a special Tony Iommi guitar solo during 'Die Young'. The haunting performance of 'The Sign Of The Southern Cross', and the devilish effects of 'Heaven And Hell'.

Live At Radio City Music Hall is more than a concert film; it also included a very special Extra feature, which documents the legacy of the band in four special parts.

Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles recently had the chance to sit down and talk with Heaven and Hell drummer Vinny Appice. What follows are some excerpts.

Rao:This is the first concert of the band in fifteen years. How exciting was it to be part of this musical history?
Appice: "Yes, this is the first anything in fifteen years. First tour, first DVD, first CD."

Rao: Tell me a little bit about the production of the DVD. Was it hard to shoot all of the different angles on this tour because it was so theatrical? Also, I heard a lot about the issues regarding the New York City Union.
Appice: "At Radio City there was a lot of confusion because, there was a lot of stuff going on. Because first of all it is New York. You got a lot of friends coming down, and people in the business and you are recording a DVD, so it was really crazy .We had problems doing a sound check because everything ran late. Then, when we did a sound check, we had to stop. We didn't even play one song because the Union Break came up. In New York, the Union Break is like God. So, we had to stop. (Laughter) So it was a little never racking. But, we can only do half a song, and hopefully that was OK for everybody who was doing a little recording and camera work. We would have liked to do more. If we could. So, it was a lot of nerves rattling here and there. But, we thought it came out really, really good. When, we sort of finished product with all of the editing it looks fantastic."

Rao: How did the Union Break affect the process of the filming of the DVD? It must of been kind of nerve racking too?
Appice: "Yes, because it is not only us, it is the guys in the truck recording it. The more we can play, the better they are going to be on getting levels on things. So it wasn't just for us, as a normal show would be. But that is the way it goes."

Rao: Right, plus it was one of the first shows in fifteen years, so you wanted it to be perfect. I guess that is rock and roll.
Appice: "Exactly."

Rao: There is a double CD that comes with the DVD. Is that correct?
Appice: "There is also a CD that they put out too. I guess you can buy, each of these items individually and they are also packaging it together. You get the CD and the DVD. This is all from Rhino, so I am not exactly sure what the package is. You can probably find out all the DVD and CD info on Rhino's website."

Rao: Any plans to maybe record a new studio album?
Appice: "That has been the major question with everybody. Asking that question, and the answer is basically the door is open. We are just going to finish the tour, see what happens afterwards, and take a little time off and see at some point maybe next year, we will do a new record."

Rao: It is pretty interesting that Heaven and Hell is touring with ALICE COOPER. On the recent tour, Heaven And Hell's stage setting was very theatrical. Alice Cooper really started the whole theatrical production in touring that was so popular back in the day. What are your thoughts on the triple bill?
Appice: "I think it is a great bill. Like Ronnie says,” They are not opening acts”. These are three major bands. It is Queensryche and Alice Cooper. They are not opening acts." They are much legendary, yeah no? Alice is going to be doing his thing. I don't know, how much production, he has got. It is going to be a great show. Then, we have production, so it is just like bringing back some of the old stuff. A lot of people haven't seen that. I think it is going to be pretty cool that they haven't seen any shows like this. A lot of shows today, it is just the band playing. There is not a lot of stages stuff, going on. This will be cool, for anyone who has never seen it."

Read the full article at Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles.

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Metal Gets Its Due On Massive Rhino Boxed Set

Heavy metal fans will be banging their heads in delight this fall with the release of Rhinos's "Heavy Metal Box," due Oct. 2. The four-disc, 70-song set boasts classic tracks from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead and Slayer, among dozens of others.

Arranged chronologically from 1968 to 1991, the compilation also boasts hits from bands like Deep Purple, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Iron Butterfly, Pantera, Alice Cooper, Venom, Testament, Rush and Megadeth; the project will be packaged in a box resembling a Marshall guitar amp.

The liner notes will include extensive photos, track commentary and interviews with Ronnie James Dio and Lita Ford.

Here is the track list for "The Heavy Metal Box": More...

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Killswitch Engage Post Holy Diver Video Online

Killswitch Engage have posted their new video for the cover of Dio's Holy Diver online at this location

The video itself follows very much in the same vein as many Dio videos with swords and medieval frolics all around.

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Dio Guitarist Schedules Kentucky Clinics

DIO/HYDROGYN guitarist Craig Goldy will be at Thunder Bay Studio Friday in Ashland, KY this Friday (July 13) from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. doing his Destiny Bridge guitar clinic. Craig will cover everything from technique to industry information and much more.

For more details, call Thunder Bay at 1-606-325-1238 and ask for Terry.

Craig is currently working on new material for the new HYDROGYN CD, due out later this year.

Goldy recently stated regarding his decision to join West Virginia's HYDROGYN, "While Ronnie [James Dio] is touring and recording with HEAVEN AND HELL I am proud to announce my journey with HYDROGYN. I am looking forward to writing, recording and touring with them during the all too often well known 'hiatus' of the band DIO.

"It's quickly become much more than a one-off situation with HYDROGYN. During the negotiation process involved in our mutual desire to work together, we forged a strong bond that I believe will continue well into the future in all aspects of an endeavor such as this one has become.

"Upon Ronnie's return I will be anxiously awaiting the writing, recording and touring that will follow and highly anticipating an awesome [DIO] CD release alongside my family Ronnie, Rudy, Simon and Scott. Until then I will be operating at my fullest potential with HYDROGYN with whom I've also been honored to form a long-term friendship with and build an alliance with DA Records and my program Destiny Bridge. It is my sincere hope and desire to continue in this capacity long into the future."

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Guitar Hero Encore Song List Revealed

The complete list of songs has been revealed for Activision's special 1980s-themed Guitar Hero title, dubbed Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s. The game will ship for the PlayStation 2 on July 24.

According to Gamespot, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s is rated T for Teen and will be the last game in the series from original developers Harmonix. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater developer Neversoft is taking over the franchise beginning with Guitar Hero III, while Harmonix is preparing rival rhythm game Rock Band. Both titles are set for release later this year for multiple platforms.

Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s tracks:

"Caught in a Mosh" (as made famous by ANTHRAX)
"Balls to the Wall" (as made famous by ACCEPT)
"Electric Eye" (by JUDAS PRIEST)
"Los Angeles" (as made famous by X)
"Police Truck" (as made famous by DEAD KENNEDYS)
"We Got the Beat" (as made famous by THE GO GO'S)
"(I Think I'm) Turning Japanese" (as made famous by VAPORS)
"Seventeen" (as made famous by WINGER)
"Because, it's Midnite" (by LIMOZEEN)
"Hold On Loosely" (as made famous by .38 SPECIAL)
"No One Like You" (as made famous by SCORPIONS)
"Only a Lad" (as made famous by OINGO BOINGO)
"Ballroom Blitz" (as made famous by KROKUS)
"The Warrior" (by SCANDAL)
"What I Like About You" (as made famous by THE ROMANTICS)
"Wrath Child" (as made famous by IRON MAIDEN)
"I Wanna Rock" (by TWISTED SISTER)
"I Ran" (by FLOCK OF SEAGULLS)
"Round and Round" (as made famous by RATT)
"Metal Health" (as made famous by QUIET RIOT)
"Holy Diver" (as made famous by DIO)
"Heat Of The Moment" (as made famous by ASIA)
"Radar Love" (as made famous by WHITE LION)
"18 and Life" (as made famous by SKID ROW)
"Bathroom Wall" (as made famous by FASTER PUSSYCAT)
"Lonely is the Night" (as made famous by BILLY SQUIER)
"Nothing But a Good Time" (as made famous by POISON)
"Play With Me" (as made famous by EXTREME)
"Shaken" (as made famous by EDDIE MONEY)
"Synchronicity II" (as made famous by THE POLICE)

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Killswitch Engage To Film Video For Dio Cover

Killswitch Engage has tapped Brian Thompson to direct its video for the cover of the DIO classic "Holy Diver". The shoot will take place in the Calistoga, California area the weekend of June 16-17.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's cover of DIO's "Holy Diver" was one of several exclusive tracks that were made available on a special CD accompanying Kerrang!'s 25th anniversary issue (street date: May 31, 2006). Entitled "High Voltage", the 15-track disc was made up of classic rock and metal songs covered by contemporary bands, with 10 of the tracks recorded exclusively for the CD.

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Just For Fun

Guitar Hero Encore: Rockin 80's Style

Recent pre-order boxes for the upcoming Playstation 2 videogame "Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80s" have revealed more tracks for the game, the latest include:

Anthrax - "Caught In A Mosh"
Iron Maiden - "Wrathchild"
.38 Special - "Hold on Loosely"
White Lion - "Radar Love"
Scorpions - "No One Like You"
The Vapors - "Turning Japanese"
Winger - "Seventeen"

It is not known which, if any, of these tracks will be original recordings or covers. They join the previously announced tracks:

"We Got The Beat" (The Go-Go's)
"Balls To The Wall" (as made famous by Accept)
"Only A Lad"(as made famous by Oingo Boingo)
"The Warrior" (as made famous by Scandal)
"18 And Life" (as made famous by Skid Row)
"Bathroom Wall" (as made famous by Faster Pussycat)
"Lonely Is The Night" (as made famous by Billy Squier)
"Nothin' But A Good Time" (as made famous by Poison)
"Play With Me" (as made famous by Extreme)
"Shaken" (as made famous by Eddie Money)
"Synchronicity II" (as made famous by The Police)
"I Wanna Rock" (Twisted Sister) (original recording)
"I Ran" (Flock Of Seagulls) (original recording)
"Round And Round" (as made famous by Ratt)
"Metal Health" (as made famous by Quiet Riot)
"Holy Diver" (as made famous by Dio)
"Heat Of The Moment" (as made famous by Asia)

The game is expected to see a July 17th release date.

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Just For Fun

New Tracks Pouring In For Guitar Hero III

Two more tracks have been announced for "Guitar Hero III" which will see a release this fall on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2 and Wii consoles. The latest two to be revealed include:

Pearl Jam - "Evenflow"
Priestess - "Lay Down"

Both songs will be the original studio recordings. More on that can be found here. Similarly, another track has also been revealed for the upcoming "Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80s", it being "We Got The Beat" by the Go-Go's. The game is tentatively planned for a July 17th release date on the Playstation 2 and will also feature tracks from the likes of Twisted Sister, The Police, Dio, Accept, Ratt and more.

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Heaven And Hell Records Show For Live CD/DVD

Heaven and Hell, the touring name for the current Dio-fronted incarnation of Black Sabbath, recorded their concert in Vancouver, BC on March 11 for inclusion on a live CD/DVD set that is due out in the fall. More information will be made available at a later date.

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Dio, Black Sabbath Mates Plotting 'Hell' Of A Tour

BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler recently spoke to John Benson of Billboard.com about the reunion of SABBATH bandmates Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, singer Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice.

"We just thought it was a bit of a shame that we can't play those songs again," Butler told Billboard.com. "And then earlier this year Tony went to see Dio. They wrote a couple of songs together and it just went from there."

Not only will an upcoming Dio-era SABBATH anthology feature three new songs ("Shadow of the Wind", "Devil Cries" and "Ear in the Wall"), but, as previously reported, a world tour is planned for 2007 as HEAVEN AND HELL, the title of SABBATH's first post-Ozzy album from 1979.

"The [Dio-era had] really good songs [that were] a lot different to the old original SABBATH stuff," Butler said. "They really are fun to play because a lot of them have a lot of space, where you can improvise a lot instead of sticking to the rigid formula."

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Dio And Iommi's Collaboration Isn't Black Sabbath

A spokesperson for Ozzy Osbourne has issued a statement regarding the reports that current Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward will be hooking up with post-Ozzy ex-Sabbath singer Ronnie James Dio for a tour and possible album under the name Heaven And Hell:

"Tony Iommi and Ronnie Dio are working on a project together which has nothing to do with BLACK SABBATH. There is only one BLACK SABBATH. Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill will be touring late next year along with a new BLACK SABBATH album. However, Ozzy wishes Tony and Ronnie much success in their project together."

Ronnie James Dio recently spent time in the U.K. "kicking around ideas" with Tony Iommi for a couple of new tracks to be included on SABBATH's forthcoming box set, "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years".

"These are two things you'll never hear again — two new songs," Ronnie said in an August 16, 2006 appearance on the syndicated radio show "Rockline". "We are going to do that. It's been fun already. The one we've done — the one that I've done with Tony has been really wonderful — just great to realize how magnificent a player he was. You forget that after 10 years at a time that you don't work with someone. So we are gonna be doing that. And I hope you'll like it. I think it'll be great."

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Dio To Be In "Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny"

Chris Lee of the LA Times reports: Former Black Sabbath frontman and heavy metal icon Ronnie James Dio recalls first hearing about Tenacious D — that is, the metal-inspired comic rock duo of Jack Black and Kyle Gass — in 2001, when they released "Dio," a song that argues: "Dio has rocked for a long, long time / Now it's time for him to pass the torch … You're too old to rock, no more rockin' for you!"

"Someone called me and said, 'You gotta hear this,' " says Dio, 57, longtime frontman of his multi-platinum selling band, Dio. " 'They want you to quit.' "

Instead, the hard-rock legend — widely credited with popularizing metal's raised index and pinkie finger "moloch" salute — chose to interpret the song as a paean. "The message was, 'We really like you and when the time comes, pass the torch to us and we'll carry on what you do,' " he says.

Largely as a result of the rocker's open-mindedness and sense of humor (Dio once showed up in cartoon form on an episode of "South Park" to perform his classic "Holy Diver"), he will appear in Black and Gass' November rock comedy, "Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny."

In the film, Dio plays an apparition of himself — a kind of heavy metal Yoda — who counsels the 10-year-old Black on how to make good his dreams of rock grandeur. "The kid's sitting on the bed and he starts to sing to a huge poster of me — he's asking me what to do, saying all he really wants to do is rock 'n' roll," Dio says. "Then I come alive from the poster and tell him: Go to Hollywood where you'll meet your partner and rock 'n' roll forever."

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Dio Era Black Sabbath Reunion In The Works?

Total Rock reports: "Unconfirmed reports sugegst that Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward are to re-unite under the name of Heaven And Hell. This is the title of the classic 1980 album they recorded as Black Sabbath. The foursome are said to be planning UK shows in February."

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Dio Talks About Sabbath Reunion, New Material

Ronnie James Dio (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) has spoken on radio about rumours of a Black Sabbath reunion:

On the status of the new DIO album:
"I think because we've had to tour so much in the last three years that… I'm the kind of person who who really focuses and hones in on what has to be done. If there's gonna be an album done, I wanna do nothing but that. So I don't write while I'm on the road — that takes that time away. So we do bits and pieces. We've started a few things, and we've learned how to work with each other, because a few of the people in this band have never worked together before as writers — at least one hasn't, and that's Rudy Sarzo, who's our bass player. He's been our bass player for two years, but we've toured for two years, so we haven't had a chance to do any writing. So we're testing the waters here and there, writing a few things. The touring hasn't stopped yet — it won't stop until after October — so when that happens, then I'll focus and we'll write."

On the possibility of DIO/ELF reissues coming our way:
"There's talk of always doing remastered [DIO] things that haven't been remastered yet, and I know that Rhino — through Warner Bros. — will be doing a box set of some kind, and I think they'll all be remastered, so I think you'll some of those. As far as the ELF things go, it was such a long time ago and such a different part of my life, really, that sometimes I think to myself, 'Well, that has nothing to do with what I'm doing now and what I've done for the last 20 years,' but in reflection, I think it's become so much a part of what I am that I think it needs to be addressed at some point. And so, therefore, I will tell you that, having gotten back together with my cousin, who was our guitar player in that band, Rock Feinstein [David 'Rock' Feinstein], we're planning on re-releasing a couple of those albums, remastered, the ELF albums, and doing two or three new tracks. So, yeah, we're gonna do that."

On the possibility of further collaborations with BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi:
"We've already written one [new] song together. The reason for that is that there's a release coming out, it's called 'Black Sabbath: The Dio Years' — they've already done one, of course, 'Black Sabbath: The Ozzy Years'; that was the beginning and, really, the best part of it all — but they've decided to do one, again, 'Black Sabbath: The Dio Years', and we wanted to make it a little but more special, not just give you things you've not heard from a live perspective. These are two things you'll never hear again — two new songs. We are going to do that. It's been fun already. The one we've done — the one that I've done with Tony has been really wonderful — just great to realize how magnificent a player he was. You forget that after 10 years at a time that you don't work with someone. So we are gonna be doing that. And I hope you'll like it. I think it'll be great."

On the rumors of him possibly rejoining BLACK SABBATH:
"There's always rumors about everything — about a RAINBOW reunion, about a BLACK SABBATH reunion. Our purpose was to do this because we wanted to have this product be a bit more special than anything else — not just, 'Here's a live track you've never heard before.' I mean, that's cool, but I'm sure people have heard that. We wanted to do something a bit more special, so the whole band would write and play these songs, and… They've wanted to hear them long enough, so here they are. But it's not anything that we've talked about leading to anything other than that. No, it's for that project."

On the possibility of a RAINBOW reunion tour:
"I've tried for such a long time… We've all tried, I think — Ritchie [Blackmore] and myself, and Cozy [Powell], when he was alive — to try to do something again that would please the people who have been so loyal to us with RAINBOW after all these years. I think they've deserved that — perhaps we've deserved it for ourselves, I don't know. But we did try. It came to a point where it almost happened. Then, unfortunately, Cozy passed away, and it kind of fell apart. So at this point, I would say, this will never, never happen again. No, there will never be another RAINBOW — not with me in it anymore. I have other things in my life to deal with. Ritchie seems to be very happy with what he's doing. Let's all just remember it for the brilliant, great, groundbreaking band that it was and just be thankful that it was there once."

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The Beatles Go Metal?

On October 24, 2006, Restless Records will release "Butchering The Beatles" — featuring the biggest, the baddest, the heaviest all-star line-up ever assembled to honor what is arguably the greatest band ever — THE BEATLES. All-in-all, over 50 internationally known recording artists bring their unique bone-crushing slant to these remarkable songs. Produced by Grammy award-winning producer/guitarist Bob Kulick and ace engineer Brett Chassen, "Butchering The Beatles" features 12 new, ass-kicking versions of THE BEATLES' chart-topping hits, including "Hey Jude", "I Feel Fine" and "Day Tripper", plus the more esoteric "Hey Bulldog", barked out by the legendary Alice Cooper and "Tomorrow Never Knows", uniquely interpreted by the iconic Billy Idol, alongside classic concept songs like "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and "Magical Mystery Tour".

When asked by Guitar Player magazine what possessed him to go all metal on THE BEATLES, Bob Kulick stated that, "BEATLES songs are the Holy Grail. They're the best rock songs ever written. These new recordings are totally faithful, yet completely different. Billy Gibbons singing 'Revolution' or (MOTÖRHEAD frontman) Lemmy singing 'Back In The USSR' are not exactly Paul McCartney or John Lennon. And of course, the guitar solo sections were lengthened to accommodate all the artists' solo styles."

"Butchering The Beatles" track listing: More...

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Killswitch Engage Cover Dio's "Holy Diver"

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's stunning cover of DIO's "Holy Diver" — which was one of several exclusive tracks that were made available on a special CD accompanying Kerrang!'s 25th anniversary issue (out on the stands May 31) — has been posted online at this location. Entitled "High Voltage", the 15-track disc was made up of classic rock and metal songs covered by contemporary bands, with 10 of the tracks recorded exclusively for the CD.

A brand new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE song, entitled "This Fire Burns", was recently included on the "WWE: Wreckless Intent" compilation, available now on Columbia Records. The collection — which features wrestlers' themes heard during the WWE's TV shows such as "SmackDown!", "RAW", "WrestleMania", and "Saturday Night's Main Event", as performed by today's top-selling aggro-rock and rap artists — also included new, exclusive material from SHADOWS FALL, ZEBRAHEAD, MOTÖRHEAD and more.

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More Dio Tour Dates Announced

DIO have lined up the following tour dates during the coming months:

May 27 - Roeselare, BEL @ Schwung Festival
May 28 - Saarbrucken, GER @ The Garage
May 30 - Munich, GER @ Elserhalle
Jun. 01 - Stuttgart, GER @ Longhorn
Jun. 02 - Ulm, GER @ Tent Festival
Jun. 03 - Frankfurt, GER @ Offenbach
Jun. 04 - Gelsenkirchen, GER @ Rock Hard Festival
Jun. 06 - Athens, GRE @ Rizouploi Stadium
Jun. 07 - Thessaloniki, GRE @ Lazaristes Theatre
Jun. 10 - Lichtenvoorde, NET @ Arrow Rock Festival
Jul. 01 - Tuuri, FIN @ Miljoona Rock
Jul. 12 - Belo Horizonte, BRA @ Marista Hall
Jul. 14 - Rio De Janeiro, BRA @ Claro Hall
Jul. 15 - Sao Paulo, BRA @ CrediCard Hall
Jul. 18 - Santiago, CHL @ Estadio Chile
Jul. 21 - Caracas, VEN @ Poliedero De Caracas
Jul. 22 - San Jose, CR @ Parque Antonio Escarre
Jul. 23 - Mexico City, MEX @ El Circo Volador
Aug. 28 - Copenhagen, DEN @ Amager Bio
Aug. 29 - Aarhus, DEN @ Train
Aug. 31 - Hamar, NOR @ Hamar Music Festival
Sep. 02 - Riga, LAT @ Riga Arena

Ronnie James Dio recently spent time in the U.K. "kicking around ideas" with BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi for a couple of new tracks to be included on SABBATH's forthcoming box set, "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years". However, there are no plans for SABBATH and Dio to reunite for any further touring or recording activity.

DIO have just issued "Holy Diver Live", a live recording of the band's classic "Holy Diver" album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live in London in 2005. It also includes, among others, "Heaven & Hell", "Sign of the Southern Cross" and "Mob Rules" from Dio's SABBATH days, "Tarot Woman", "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" from the RAINBOW era and "We Rock" from his solo career.

DIO's follow-up to 2004's "Master of the Moon" is expected in late 2006/early 2007.

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Killswitch Engage Cover Dio

Killswitch Engage have recorded a cover of Dio's"Holy Diver" for a compilation cd put together by Kerrang! magazine. Bassist Mike D' Antonio said following reguarding the cover: "Howard [Jones] sang in falsetto. It came out super good. Everyone's really excited about it. The guitar riffs are definitely modified to sound way, way heavier." This story was initally reported by MTV.com.

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Dio Ready "Holy Diver: Live," and More Plans

Billboard.com reports that Ronnie James Dio, has issued a new concert album that focuses on one of his classic works, "Holy Diver: Live." The performance will also arrive on DVD May 30 via Eagle Rock.

After coming to prominence fronting Rainbow and replacing Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, the singer formed his own outfit, Dio. "Holy Diver," his 1983 solo debut, is still held in high regard by headbangers worldwide.

"We had been asked to do the entire presentation of the album by an agent of ours in England," Dio tells Billboard.com. "It was at the Astoria Theater in London. It was a great show, and we wanted to capture it, because I don't think we'll ever do that again."

In addition to such Dio classics as the album's title track and "Rainbow in the Dark," such rarely played selections as Rainbow's "Tarot Woman" and "Gates of Babylon," as well as Sabbath's "Sign of the Southern Cross," were included.

Dio confirms rumors about collaborating once more with Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. "There's a box set that's going to be released, called 'Black Sabbath: The Dio Years.' The proposal was to write a couple of songs to be included," he says. "I have gotten together with Tony -- we worked together for about a week in England. It went very well."

Dio will dabble in a new medium in November when he stars in the long-awaited Tenacious D film "The Pick of Destiny." He reveals, "I got to play myself, which was not much of a stretch. It's a tried and true part of a young rebellious rock kid's life, in that his father hates the music that he likes. In the scene, [Jack Black's character] is 10 or 12. His father comes in and rails at him and slams the door. On the back of the door is a big poster of me. He starts singing to the poster: 'Dio, tell me what I should do?' And I come alive off the poster, sing a song and reply to him."

Dio will also begin work on a new studio album this summer. "I'd like to make it a quicker album -- our last album was more medium tempo," he says. "I always hear everybody gripe and moan about that, so I think we'll go for some fast ones this time. That's the plan, but knowing me, I'll probably end up in the doldrums, and you'll have a lot of slow things on it." The yet-to-be-titled set should arrive in early 2007.

Read the full article at Billboard.com.

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Dio Collaborating w/ Iommi On New Sabbath Material

Legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio has flown to the U.K. to write a couple of tracks with BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi for a forthcoming box set, tentatively titled "Black Sabbath - The Dio Years". The box set will reportedly contain all the BLACK SABBATH albums with Ronnie in fully remastered form with these couple of tracks added as a special bonus. No further information is currently available.

Dio recorded a total of three studio albums with BLACK SABBATH - 1980's "Heaven and Hell", 1981's "Mob Rules" and 1992's "Dehumanizer" - in addition to appearing on the classic live album "Live Evil" in 1983.

Eagle Rock Entertainment has set an April 18 North American release date for DIO's "Holy Diver Live" CD (one day earlier internationally). Captured live in 2005 in front of a sold-out London crowd, "Holy Diver Live" features the classic "Holy Diver" album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live for the very first time. It also includes, among others, "Heaven & Hell", "Sign of the Southern Cross" and "Mob Rules" from vocalist Ronnie James Dio's BLACK SABBATH days, "Tarot Woman", "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" from the RAINBOW era and "We Rock" from his solo career.

DIO's follow-up to 2004's "Master of the Moon" is expected before the end of the year.

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