DIO - MAGICA
{Japan POCP-7465}

Acecool's Rating: 5 STARS!

JAPAN Initial First Pressing 15 Track CD of the 2000 Album
Dio - Magica(features Ronnie James Dio, Jimmy Bain, Craig Goldy, Simon Wright and Scott Warren)
This EXTREMELY RARE / LONG OUT OF PRINT CD features of course the Unique to Japan Only Obi, the Unique to Japan Only 20 Page Insert Booklet with the Unique to Japan Only Liner Notes by Kaz Hirose along with the Japanese Lyrics and Magica Story Transcriptions, the Multi-Fold Color Insert with the English Lyrics, Credits etc., and the Unique to Japan Only Multi-Fold MAGICA STORY Insert (in English) and of course the Japan Only Bonus Track, Track 11. Annica and Track 15. MAGICA STORY
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Extensive HQ 600 dpi Scans, including Fold Out Magica Story!

Format: CD ALBUM
Record Label: 2000 Polydor K.K., / Universal Music K.K., Japan "Spitfire Records"
Catalogue No: POCP-7465
Country of Origin: Japan
Genre: Metal/Hard Rock
Released March 21, 2000
Recorded: Total Access, Redondo Beach, California, USA
Length 72:02
Label Spitfire
Producer Ronnie James Dio

1. Discovery
2. Magica Theme
3. Lord of the Last Day
4. Fever Dreams
5. Turn to Stone
6. Feed My Head
7. Eriel
8. Challis
9. As Long as It's Not About Love
10. Losing My Insanity
11. Annica (Japan Only Bonus Track)
12. Otherworld
13. Magica - Reprise
14. Lord of the Last Day - Reprise
15. Magica Story (BONUS TRACK)

* Ronnie James Dio – vocals, keyboards
* Craig Goldy – guitars, keyboards
* Jimmy Bain – bass
* Simon Wright – drums
* Scott Warren – keyboards


Magica is Dio's eighth studio album. It was released on March 21, 2000, through Spitfire Records. Magica marks the return of guitarist Craig Goldy, who also has performed on Dio's album Dream Evil and in the later release Master of the Moon. Magica also features Jimmy Bain on bass, Simon Wright on drums, and Scott Warren on keyboards. Vocalist Ronnie James Dio produced this concept album. The album was originally planned to be the first part of a trilogy of concept albums, and shortly before beginning his tour with Heaven & Hell, Dio announced that he planned to start the Magica II & III album after the tour's end, but he died shortly after of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010. The only song released from Magica II & III was titled "Electra".

AllMusic Review by Bret Adams

Dio's rock-solid 2000 concept album Magica would have better fit the musical climate 15-25 years beforehand, but a good album is a good album. Ronnie James Dio's band's previous studio effort, 1996's Angry Machines, admirably addressed modern, non-traditional heavy metal topics. But the musically superior Magica is rooted in the dark, mystical themes he perfected on Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and early Dio albums. One important factor is the solid lineup, particularly the return of Craig Goldy, the best guitarist Dio's had in his band besides Vivian Campbell. Bassist Jimmy Bain and drummer Simon Wright also return. Dio seems inspired, and his vocals are more textured than usual. Magica is a detailed fantasy epic about the struggle between good and evil. Several elements are similar to J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved Lord of the Rings novels, which themselves rely on traditional literary archetypes such as heroes, villains, and mythic quests. "Lord of the Last Day" builds slowly with Goldy's dirge-like guitar and Dio's menacing vocals augmented by strings. "Fever Dreams" is tightly arranged and geared for rock radio airplay with Goldy's crisp, snapping guitar and Dio's smooth, slightly edgy vocals. "Turn to Stone" is effective, traditional heavy metal based on slow, heavy rhythm guitar and drums. The most musically complex song is "Feed My Head" due to the hypnotic chorus, multi-tracked harmony vocals, clean guitar and cymbal interplay, slashing strings, and Dio's smooth vocal interlude. Although "As Long As It's Not About Love" has some of the characteristics of a basic power ballad, the arrangement is more detailed and flexible. The album ends with "Magica Story," Dio's 18 1/2-minute spoken narrative; the liner notes include a separate sheet with the complete short story. His warm, rich voice is enhanced with a little bit of echo and faint synthesizer touches
occasionally add drama.

DIO PHOTO PACKAGE! Bonus!

PW: Dio - Magica (2000) [FLAC] {Japan PCOP-7465}