Master of the Moon
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Master of the Moon
| type = Album
| artist = Dio
| cover = DioMasterOfTheMoon.jpg
| alt =
| released = August 30, 2004
| recorded = Total Access Recording
(Redondo Beach, California)
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Doom metal, heavy metal
| length = 46:07
| label = Sanctuary (North America)
SPV/Steamhammer (Europe)
Victor (Japan)
| producer = Ronnie James Dio
| prev_title = Killing the Dragon
| prev_year = 2002
| next_title = Evil or Divine – Live in New York City
| next_year = 2005
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/r703742/review|title=Master of the Moon - Dio|publisher=AllMusic|first=James|last=Monger|accessdate=March 18, 2012}}
| rev2 = Blabbermouth.net
| rev2Score = 6.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/master-of-the-moon/|title=Master of the Moon - Dio|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|first=Tony|last=Daley|date=September 4, 2004 |accessdate=March 18, 2012}}
}}
Master of the Moon is the tenth and final studio album by American heavy metal band Dio. It was released on August 30, 2004 in Europe through SPV/Steamhammer{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dio-s-moon-set-to-rise-a-week-later/|title=DIO's 'Moon' Set To Rise A Week Later|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=August 18, 2004|accessdate=February 1, 2020}} and on September 7, 2004 in the US through Sanctuary Records. It was produced by Ronnie James Dio.
Background
The album marks the return of guitarist Craig Goldy, who performed on Dio's Dream Evil (1987) and Magica (2000). It also features Jeff Pilson on bass, Simon Wright on drums and Scott Warren on keyboards.
"Death by Love" was co-written by former Magica touring bassist Chuck Garric. There are no writing credits in the album's liner notes.
"There's a cynical aspect to some of the lyrics," Dio remarked. "And there's definitely a political tone, reflecting the dangers we face almost every day in modern life."{{cite magazine|title=Studio report: Dio|magazine=Classic Rock|issue= 67 |date= June 2004 |page= 16}}
On the tour for the album, Fireball Ministry and Anthrax opened for Dio. As usual, the band played songs from throughout the singer's career, including ones by Rainbow and Black Sabbath.
Due to other commitments, Pilson was unable to tour the album. Rudy Sarzo took over on bass.
Reissue
In 2019, Master of the Moon was remastered and announced for reissue in 2020. The reissue's first disc is identical to the original North American release. Its second disc contains four live tracks recorded during the Master of the Moon tour, plus "The Prisoner of Paradise", originally included on the Japanese pressing of the album.{{cite magazine | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dio-angry-machines-reissues-909378/ | title = Dio's Final Albums to Be Expanded With Previously Unreleased Material | accessdate = April 3, 2020 | date = November 8, 2019 | magazine = Rolling Stone}}
Track listing
Bonus track "The Prisoner of Paradise" is on the Japanese pressing of the album. The song would later be featured on the compilation The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2 and included on the 2020 reissue of the album.
{{Track listing
| all_writing = Ronnie James Dio and Craig Goldy except where noted
| title1 = One More for the Road
| length1 = 3:18
| title2 = Master of the Moon
| length2 = 4:19
| title3 = The End of the World
| length3 = 4:39
| title4 = Shivers
| length4 = 4:15
| title5 = The Man Who Would Be King
| length5 = 4:58
| title6 = The Eyes
| length6 = 6:27
| title7 = Living the Lie
| music7 = Dio, Goldy, Simon Wright
| length7 = 4:25
| title8 = I Am
| length8 = 5:00
| title9 = Death by Love
| music9 = Dio, Goldy, Chuck Garric, Wright
| length9 = 4:21
| title10 = In Dreams
| length10 = 4:26
| title11 = The Prisoner of Paradise
| note11 = Japanese edition bonus track
| length11 = 4:01
}}
{{Track listing
| headline =2019 remaster disc 2{{cite news | url = https://blabbermouth.net/news/dio-deluxe-newly-remastered-editions-of-four-albums-from-1996-2004-to-be-made-available-in-february/ | title = DIO: Deluxe Newly Remastered Editions Of Four Albums From 1996-2004 To Be Made Available In February | accessdate = April 3, 2020 | date = November 8, 2019 | work = Blabbermouth.net}}
| title1 = Heaven and Hell [Live, Master of the Moon Tour 2004/2005]
| length1 = 10:21
| title2 = Rainbow in the Dark [Live, Master of the Moon Tour 2004/2005]
| length2 = 5:22
| title3 = Rock and Roll Children [Live, Master of the Moon Tour 2004/2005]
| length3 = 4:59
| title4 = The Eyes [Live, Master of the Moon Tour 2004/2005]
| length4 = 6:48
| title5 = The Prisoner of Paradise
| length5 = 4:00
}}
Personnel
;Dio
- Ronnie James Dio – vocals
- Craig Goldy – guitar, keyboards
- Jeff Pilson – bass
- Simon Wright – drums
- Scott Warren – keyboards
;Production
- Recorded at Total Access Recording in Redondo Beach, California
- Produced by Ronnie James Dio
- Engineered by Wyn Davis
- Brian Daughterty, Michael McMullen – assistant engineers
- Eddy Schreyer – mastering
- Cover illustration by Marc Sasso
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for Master of the Moon ! scope="col"| Chart (2004) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|Finland|16|artist=Dio|album=Master of the Moon|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|43|id=16408|artist=Dio|album=Master of the Moon|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Japanese Albums (Oricon){{cite web | url = http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/187959/ranking/cd_album/ | script-title=ja:ロニー・ジェームス・ディオのアルバム | accessdate = October 28, 2013 | publisher = Oricon | language = Japanese}}
| 259 |
|---|
| {{album chart|UKRock|20|date=20040905|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023|refname=UKR1}} |
| {{album chart|Sweden|35|artist=Dio|album=Master of the Moon|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}} |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|Germany4|62|id=16408|artist=Dio|album=Master of the Moon|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|97|date=20200327|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Spain|28|artist=Dio|album=Master of the Moon|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|UKIndependent|39|date=20200327|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|UKRock|13|date=20200327|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023|refname=UKR2}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/dio/masterofthemoon.html Master of the Moon song lyrics]
{{Dio}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Sanctuary Records albums