ALBUM REVIEW: The Watchers – Nyctophilia


California. Beaches, blue skies, and blazing sunshine. Unless you’re The Watchers, of course. In which case it’s all about darkness, shadows, and a predilection towards all things of a nocturnal nature. Continue reading


Mandoki Soulmates Share a Single and Video for “We Stay Loud” – New Album Out Soon



International, inter-generational, rock and fusion supergroup, Mandoki Soulmates, have released their new single and lyric video, “We Stay Loud.” It is the 3rd track to be taken off their upcoming album, A Memory Of Our Future. The full-length is due out May 10th, via InsideOut Music records. Head into the article below to catch the new video and more from Mandoki Soulmates.
Continue reading


Ronnie James Dio Passed Away Thirteen Years Ago Today


 

Ronnie James Dio died thirteen years ago May 16th, 2010. He died after a long bout with stomach cancer. His incredible voice and enduring personality is synonymous with the metal genre. As a signer, with his own solo band Dio, as well as Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, Rainbow, and Elf, he was the inspiration of countless singers to follow in his footsteps. Dio gave heavy metal a lot of its fantasy elements thematically in the Power Metal and Symphonic Metal genres. He is responsible for countless genre classics, both songs, and albums, including his first album with Black Sabbath, Heaven, and Hell (Vertigo). Countless Dio-inspired bands operate today named for his songs or lyrics, there are charity events, tribute tours, and charity events that raise money to try to cure the disease that took his life, and even a major metal festival stage at Bloodstock Open Air is named for his memory. Let’s raise a glass along with the horns to Dio today!

Continue reading


Beastie Boys, Faith No More, Radiohead, Alice Cooper, Rainbow, Bruce Springsteen, Heart, and More are Featured in Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3


 

 

Marvel Studios just released their latest film in The Marvel Cinematic Universe, Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.3. As is the trademark of all of director James Gunn’s movies, music plays a prominent role in the fabric of the film itself. In addition to using Rainbow’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” in the trailer, many songs from 1970s to the 2000s figure prominently in the movie including an unplugged version of Radiohead’s “Creep,” Faith No More’s first hit from the 1980s “We Care A Lot,” Beastie Boys’s “No Sleep Til Brooklyn” and many more. The film was written and directed by Gunn, and features an ensemble cast including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Will Poulter, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Linda Cardellini, Nathan Fillion, and Sylvester Stallone. In the film, the Guardians embark on a mission to protect Rocket Racoon (Cooper) from the High Evolutionary (Iwuji). The score and soundtrack are both out now! Continue reading


INTERVIEW: Paul Gilbert Talks About “The Dio Album” and Playing Guitar for The Joy of it


Ghost Cult caught up with guitar legend Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big) all about his new record, “The Dio Album” – out this week from Music Theories / Mascot Label Group. Paul discussed the inspiration he draws from Ronnie James Dio, guitar and bass parts from DIO, Black Sabbath Rainbow and more, making his new album, his playing regimen, and more!

Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Paul Gilbert – The Dio Album


 

There is no love like a labour of love. There is no greater folly than a labour of love. Are those two statements contrary, or can they co-exist “happily”, somehow relating the same truth? Listen to The Dio Album (Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group), and come back to me.

Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEWS: Black Sabbath Reissues – Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules


Photo credit: Mark Weiss with permission

Photo credit: Mark Weiss with permission

When Ronnie James Dio joined metal legends Black Sabbath in 1980 the former Rainbow frontman’s appointment couldn’t have come at a better time. Sabbath were a sinking ship. A drowning vessel from which enigmatic frontman Ozzy Osbourne had been trying to escape for some time. However, even though it was painfully clear that new blood had to be added to halt the band’s alarming deterioration the hostility that greeted Dio from some corners was quite shocking.

Continue reading


White Crone Releases Ronnie James Dio “Stargazer’ Cover on His Birthday


Heavy metal Queen and acclaimed Blues artist Lisa Mann, a.k.a. White Crone has paid tribute ot the great Ronnie James Dio on what would have been his 79th Birthday. Mann covered Rainbow’s classic “Stargazer” in an epic performance of the track, befitting the legend. This is her first new music since releasing her album The Poisoner in 2020. Stream her cover now!

Continue reading


More Details of Upcoming Ronnie James Dio Biography Released


On July 27th, the long in the works biography of Ronnie James Dio, which hew was working on at the time of his death will be released. Coming from Permuted Press in the U.S. and Canada and Constable in the U.K. and co-written with British music journalist Mick Wall and Dio’s widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio, “Rainbow In The Dark: The Autobiography” is now available for pre-order at the link below. Dio, the voice of his solo band, Elf, Rainbow, and Black Sabbath is arguably the greatest metal singer in history, and propelled the genre forward with his talents, and his representing metal culture to the masses.

 

Continue reading


REVIEWS ROUND-UP: Dio – The Live Album Series


Originally released back in 2005 (although a DVD had come out a couple of years before), Evil or Divine – Live in New York City (BMG) was recorded on Dio‘s 2002 world tour and still holds up as a great live representation of the band at that point. Promoting the Killing the Dragon (Spitfire) album, the title track is joined by ‘Push’, ‘Rock & Roll’ and ‘Guilty’, with ‘Fever Dreams’ and ‘Lord of the Last Day’ from Magica (Spitfire) making up the rest of their more modern entries.

Continue reading