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Dio - Angry Machines Audio CD

A fair review of the Dio "Angry Machines" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Dio reviews here, or go back to the Dio tabs.

Dio Band: Dio
Title: Angry Machines
Rating:
Release Date: 1996-10-15
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Institutional Man 2: Don't Tell the Kids 3: Black 4: Hunter of the Heart 5: Stay Out of My Mind 6: Big Sister 7: Double Monday 8: Golden Rules 9: Dying in America 10: This Is Your Life

Dio Tries A Different Direction
He also tries to branch out into a different territory than his fans were used to hearing. Dio leaves (or is dropped) from his major label home and moves to Spitfire records for this release. Gone are the sword and fantasy lyrics that Dio is mostly known for. In their place are songs about real world issues and images. Does it work? Well. . . . to an extent. The album is very heavy with bottom end guitar provided by Greg Goldy and the rhythm section of Appice and Jeff Pilson. This album actually reminds me somewhat of Black Sabbath's "Dehumizer" album which I was personally disappointed with. Overall I find this album to be pretty average although there are a few standout tracks. "Stay Out Of My Mind" clocks in at over 7 minutes with an almost proggy sounding middle section. "Dying In America" is another cool track. The album closer is a ballad with just piano as accompaniment. This is defiantly different from anything Dio has done before, but for me it works and I like the song. Other than that I don't find a lot here that blows me away. This is a decent album for the Dio completest, but far from essential in my opinion.


Not Up To Par
Luckily, this man has earned a mulligan or two, or three from his previous work. Every once in a while even the best golfer slices one into the woods and looks like a amateur. While Strange Highways started this direction toward heavier, slower chugging but did so with quality songs, conviction and still enough melody to carry the day. Angry Machines expands upon the ideas broached on Strange Highways but falls short in almost every way imaginable. I'ts an interesting album for sure but one that simply does not stack up with other Dio works.

Of course, this man is talented enough that even on his worst day a few sparks of inspiration appear. Black, Hunter Of The Heart and Double Monday are all pretty decent songs and even a few others can be listened to but Stay Out Of My Mind, Golden Rules and This Is Your Life can pretty much be skipped with regularity.


Dio Starting To Get His Sight Back
Without a doubt, Dio's worst guitar player, Tracy G should be shot or forced to take a few million lessons. Sticking with Tracy G is Dio's biggest setback on this album. His riffs are all slightly out of tune which is way f*cking annoying, that is why this album is so unmemorable, because there are no hooks. Ronnie Dio moves away from his Swords & Sorcery bread and butter and tries to tackle real-world issues with these songs, but the key elements are still missing. This album sounds very ponderous and heavy, like being beaten with a pillowcase filled with door-knobs. Not very melodic, soundz like Dio after a bad drunk. Once Tracy G is outta the way, Dio will start to pick up the pieces of his career and see the light once again. . . . and we can't wait. The Japanese version does contain the hidden gem "God Hates Heavy Metal" which is worth hearing after all this dreary bile.


Very underrated
But the more open-minded fans out there will probably enjoy this. People were complaining about Killing the Dragon and Master of the Moon being too repetitive--do you know why? Because when Dio tries to do something new and different, like this album, the fans hate it! I saw a review down there somewhere, a very short one: "PIANOS??? WTF THIS ISN'T DIO!" or something along those lines. Of course it's really not anything like Holy Diver etc, but you have to admit this is some pretty intelligent music! ANGRY MACHINES sees Dio experimenting a bit with odd time signatures (Double Monday or Dying in America for example) and new sounds. Tracy G's guitar style is very unique, I love how he uses those strange intervals (b5's mostly, for musicians who might be reading,) to create a really evil-sounding riff, with the occasional shred thrown in. And lyrically the album is actually better than the "classics," I'd say. Rather than demons and wizards etc, Angry Machines mostly deals with the problems of society today. The lyrics to "Dying in America" are probably some of the best I've heard! And as far as the music itself, I don't know why so many people dislike this album. The songs are catchy and heavier than before as well. Personal favorites include Dying in America, Hunter of the Heart (live version is awesome,) and Double Monday (I love the interlude!) Hard-rocking and well thought-out songs, both musically and lyrically. Most importantly, it's different from the other albums! And if you're a Dio fan, isn't that worth buying it for already?.


Complete Letdown
I took a chance on Dio's Strange Highways after reading an Amazon review that compared it to Dehumaizer. I loved Dehumanizer and after Ozzy rejoined I fell out of love with Black Sabbath. While not as amazing as that album, Strange Highways was a solid, heavy album. I read an Amazon review of Angry Machines that called even heavier and darker. I took a chance and I was totally let down. This album is a waste. No interesting riffs ( I can't believe this is the same guitarist that played on Strange Highways!) and empty lyrics. Save your money or pick up Dehumanizer if you haven't already.


You can see a complete list of all Dio discography, or go back to the Dio tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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