Dio/CT, USA 2003

In 2003, DIO released the masterpiece “KILLING THE DRAGON” that regained the image of yesteryear, and also returned their original guitarist. An outrageous live album that conveys the scene is now available. What is engraved in this work is “July 22, 2003 Hartford performance”. It is the super best audience recording. Speaking of what’s “outrageous” about this work, it’s definitely the quality, but another point is the guitarist. Generally speaking, when we say “KILLING THE DRAGON TOUR,” we think of Doug Aldrich, but he left during the tour and joined WHITESNAKE. In order to understand such a situation, let’s look back at the schedule at that time and check the show’s position. 2002《“KILLING THE DRAGON” released on May 21st》・May 31st to August 4th: North America #1 (44 performances)・August 27th to October 9th: Europe #1 (33 performances)・November 8th – December 15th: North America #2 (26 performances) ← *Official video 2003 [April: Doug leaves → Craig Goldie returns] ・June 26th – July 12th: Europe #2 (12 performances) July 21st – August 30th: North America #3 (28 performances) ←★Here★ This is DIO in 2002/2003. The tour is familiar from the official video “EVIL OR DIVINE”, but Doug left after that. Craig Goldie, who was absent due to family reasons, has returned. The Hartford performance of this work was the second concert of “North America #3” after Craig returned. This work recorded at such a show is the best audience recording with “super”…maybe. Although it was written in an unreliable way, doubts such as “This is really the audience!?” kept running around in my head. The sense of distance between the guitar and vocals is so synchronized that it almost penetrates your brain, and the snare is also super dense, giving you a sense of space if the bass is pounding hard. When I put on my headphones, closed my eyes, and listened carefully, trying to find something typical of the audience…I couldn’t find it. Amid the applause that erupts between songs, I wonder if there’s even a bit of lively conversation… It’s like a sound board… No, it’s a super exquisite sound world that can be made into the official deluxe edition as it is. What is depicted with such a sound is DIO in its original form. This day is a short set as it is a coupling with IRON MAIDEN and MOTORHEAD (what a luxury!), but there are classic masterpieces and a repertoire unique to this period. Although the guitarist is different, let’s compare it with “EVIL OR DIVINE” and organize it. DIO・HOLY DIVER：Stand Up And Shout／Rainbow In The Dark／Holy Diver・THE LAST IN LINE：The Last In Line／I Speed ​​At Night（★） ・DREAM EVIL：Dream Evil（★）・KILLING THE DRAGON：Killing the Dragon/Rock and Roll Others・RAINBOW: Stargazer (★)・BLACK SABBATH: Heaven And Hell *Note: Songs marked with “★” cannot be heard on “EVIL OR DIVINE”. …and it looks like this. It’s the usual “classics + new songs” style, but if you look closely, there are many delicious things. The hidden gem “I Speed ​​At Night” from “THE LAST IN LINE”, the title track from “DREAM EVIL”, and even RAINBOW’s “Stargazer” are back. Doug is also skillful, but Craig is the one who is familiar with Ronnie’s famous songs, and can handle any rare song. Another highlight is the new song “Rock and Roll.” Of course Doug played the guitar on the album “KILLING THE DRAGON”, but Craig was involved in creating the songs, and “Rock and Roll” was also penned by him. You can experience the version by the true originator with the best sound. And the performance that spells out the set is also wonderful. Anyway, Ronnie is in great shape. As expected, Utaoni’s growth began to decline around 2005, but this work from 2003 shows no signs of that happening. I don’t know if it was because it was the second performance of their North American tour, or if it was out of rivalry with MOTRHEAD and IRON MAIDEN, but their singing was more passionate and clingy than usual. Also worth mentioning is Simon Wright. In the latter half of DIO, we gradually introduced cozy material, but here we use Tchaikovsky’s “1812” for the drum solo! It truly reproduces that dramatic solo. In any case, it’s a superb sound that will blow your mind. I can’t shake the doubt that it is really an audience, and even if it is a direct-to-table sound board, it is a live music that is frightened by the transcendental quality of the superlative level. In fact, the late DIO played by Craig is not so rare, and even if it is “KILLING THE DRAGON TOUR”, Doug’s “EVIL OR DIVINE” may be more valuable. but! This super-class sound cannot be heard anywhere else. In that sound world, Ronnie, who is at his best, roars, “I Speed ​​At Night” runs through, and “1812” roars. To be honest, the official version “EVIL OR DIVINE” is also a very fulfilling album. Live at the Meadows Theater, Hartford, CT, USA 22nd July 2003 ULTIMATE SOUND (52:15) 1. Intro 2. Killing the Dragon 3. Last In Line 4. Stargazer 5. Stand Up And Shout 6. Drum solo 7. Rock and Roll 8. I Speed ​​At Night 9. Dream Evil 10. Guitar Solo 11. Rainbow In The Dark 12. Holy Diver 13. Heaven And Hell Ronnie James Dio – Vocals Craig Goldy – Guitars Jimmy Bain – Bass Simon Wright – Drums Scott Warren -Keyboards