One of metal's true reigning kings, Ronnie James Dio arrives back on the scene with his first new studio album in four years! "Magica" is a sonic spectacle that recalls the best work of his past… a conceptually majestic piece modeled after the book of spells of the same name. "Magica" sees a return back to the gothic/fantasy realm of years past concurrent with the welcoming back of some old friends that add further to the new dimensions of sight and sound only a wizard the likes of Dio could conjure. Along with legendary bassist Jimmy Bain and returning drummer Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, recognized for his stellar work on 87's exquisite underachiever "Dream Evil," rejoins the fold to lend a little of his own six string alchemy to the mix. "Magica" tells a spiritual tale that walks through the deep resources of the human mind… a surreal presentation, broken into several intriguing chapters where each song compliments the other in comprising the whole, yet stands alone equally as effectively.

The mechanized introduction sets the stage for "Magica's" opening sequence before giving way to "Lord of the Last Day," which enters the picture in a dark and plodding fashion. "Fever Dreams" and "Turn to Stone" are two similarly fashioned successors, imposing a great will amidst an ax-ground tone-heavily set in stature alongside mid-range beats where much of the song structures lie.

The further we go flipping through the pages or tracks here, one thing is certain. Where Dio's more recent work could be placed in a more black and white context, "Magica" is a return to the vivid imagery that peaks through the overcast… A harmonious mix of melody and might that slides freely along the glimmering rainbow of hope that separates magic and mayhem… good and evil.

Also in this issue an interview with Ronnie James Dio.