After 1985's "Sacred Heart", the ensuing tour, and the 1986 release of the "Intermission" EP, Dio had released four recordings in four years, and seemed to have "jumped the shark" in terms of repetitive lyrical content (dungeons, dragons, fire, stone, rainbow, etc.), pop-metal compositions ("Shoot Shoot", "Hungry For Heaven", "Mystery", "Rock And Roll Children"), and an overly elaborate stage show (Ronnie James Dio battling a dragon!). Not to mention that original Dio guitarist Vivian Campbell, a wonderful player, defected in 1986. What would become of Dio?The answer comes in the form of this dark, slightly decelerated collection of songs featuring new Dio sideman Craig Goldy, previously of Rough Cutt and Giuffria. "Dream Evil" is a sophisticated Dio record that is more than the sum of its parts, with songs that are all at least very solid, some spectacular, and certainly the most impressive Dio collection since 1983's seminal "Holy Diver".The mood of the album is dark, with little reprieve, beginning with "Night People", the album's standout track; a furious bit of machine-gun riffing and effective keyboards from Claude Schnell. "Dream Evil" features a guitar riff that is first cousin to that in Rainbow's "Man On The Silver Mountain", a mid-paced rocker. "Sunset Superman" carries a ferocious groove, while "Overlove" is a fast track with a thirty-second opening showcasing Craig Goldy's ability to play it fast and fluid.The songs that begin to veer toward pop territory, "All The Fools Sailed Away", "Naked In The Rain", "I Could Have Been A Dreamer", and "When A Woman Cries", are all cut short of that point either thematically or musically, leaving tracks that ache with regret and anguish.Individual performances are all excellent on this record, with RJD delivering his typical, high-caliber metal vocals, Craig Goldy turning in an impressive debut (although his playing certainly lacks something of Vivian Campbell's pyrotechnics), Jimmy Bain and Vinny Appice ably locking down the rhythms, and Claude Schnell supporting all of it behind the scene with tasteful, unobtrusive keyboard work. The only track that sounds dated perhaps is "When A Woman Cries", the one song in which keyboards are featured prominently and lend that peculiar "80s" quality.In summary, if you're a fan of classic heavy metal, or a Dio fan who hasn't yet purchased "Dream Evil", do so now! If you're new to Dio, this is a good place to start, as well. At Amazon "Dream Evil" is currently priced under $6.00, which you just can't beat.

This is the fourth album from DIO and fourth album of his great songwriting and top notch musicianship by the band. Craig Goldie takes over lead guitar after Vivian Campbell left and makes a seamless transition. If you are a fan of the first three albums like me then there is no reason you won’t treasure this one too. It’s in a jewel case and not the crappy digi pack or as my collector friends refer to them digi crap so another plus.

Dream Evil almost has not a weak moment; furthermore consists of songs with the best crafted melodies since Rainbow days. The only problem, if regarded as a problem at all, is the less aggressive vocal approach of Dio with slight pop-rock tendencies of the songs. Considering the time of release, this should not be surprising; 1987 was the time pop-rock reached its peaked: Slippery When Wet of Bon Jovi was released one year before, while the album Whitesnake and The House of Blue Light of Deep Purple were released in the same year. The chords played by a synthesizer in the intro of the first song Night People summarizes approach of the album, followed by a fast rocking rhythm with the vocals soaring the lyrics "Do you like the dark?". The riff of the second song Dream Evil is reminiscent of Man on the Silver Mountain; while not, of course, as majestic as the Rainbow classic, its melody lines are noteworthy. The following song Sunset Superman has even a better verse melody, building up step by step, but unfortunately let down by the uninspiring the chorus. Naked in the Rain and I Could Have Been a Dreamer, both good songs, would not sound out of place in a Whitesnake album, particularly with the harmonically enriched sections by synths. All The Fools Sailed Away is arguably the best song written by Dio (without contribution from Blackmore, or Iommi), with enough prog metal elements to attract Dream Theater/Symphony X fans. Faces in the Window is a hidden gem here, with the fast pace, the mystic and dark sound formed by a great combination of vocals and guitars. Here, the guitarist Craig Goldy is to be noted; as a replacement for the great Vivian Campbell, he does a great job in Dream Evil. Maybe his riffs are not as striking as Campbell, but his solos, his choice of notes and his sound are more advanced and complement the dark but melodic approach followed by Dio in Dream Evil. It is unfortunate that the less aggressive, but more melodic content of Dream Evil has prevented this album to be praised as much as it should have been, yet I believe Dream Evil would be a good addition to the collection of any hard-rock listener. 8/10

Yes it is really that good. Many people put The Last in Line behind Holy Diver but I have always liked this album more. Not a weak song on it.As a fan of Dio from his Rainbow days I would grab up his solo albums as soon as they came out. I was a little worried when Vivian Campbell left the band and was replaced by Craig Goldy, but after 1 listen to this album I was blown away. Goldy is more than a passable replacement for Campbell. In fact I would go so far as to say he is every bit Campbell's equal and his guitar work on this Dio album, and others, is outstanding.From the opening riff of Night People, which is a great opener, to the last tone of When a Woman Cries this album is fantastic.My favorite tracks on it are:Night PeopleDream EvilSunset SupermanAll the Fools Sailed AwayOverloveI Could Have Been a Dreamer.As you can see that is 6 of the 9 tracks on the album. Not to say the other 3 tracks aren't good, they are, I just like those 6 songs the best.Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

Overlooked gem by Dio. This album is great from beginning to end and should have been a major hit. The Deluxe version is just great with extras on disc 2. I just wish it had had a wider release to the public. This CD 2 disc is hard to find in the US.

Great album. I love Dio! If you like metal in anyway, you MUST own this album. It's incredible! My only qualm was that the album cover looks grainy. So I dont know if this is a cheap knock off printing or if the album cover actually looks grainy. Either way, can't complain considering the very low price of the album and I highly recommend buying it.Shipping speed was great, price was very cheap, quality of product was perfect.

A great CD with new guitarist, Craig Goldy. It was hard to appreciate when released due to the work of Vivian Campbell. But many years later this CDs holds up with Holy Diver and The Last In Line. The Decade of Dio remasters from 2016 are superior to any other remasters, including Japanese remasters and this Pearce's Deluxe remaster. This Andy Pearce remastered CD sounds smoothed (i.e. over compression, lack of frequency dynamics).

What can I say? I am and have been a Dio fan since his days with Blackmore and totally hooked duriing the Sabbath days.It's Dio!!!!!Rock On !!!!Jimi

Świetna płyta 👍 w przystępnej cenie.

Love it! Beautiful vocals of the Great Ronnie J. Dio and brilliant songs. Thank you very much.

前作のポップ路線から、再びヘヴィ・メタルへ回帰したアルバムです。ギタリストがヴィヴィアン・キャンベルから、クレイグ・ゴールディへ変わって作曲の幅が広がった、新しいディオによる４作目です。前３作にも引けを取らない、良い作品だと思います。

Chegou antes do prazo. O álbum dispensa comentários, qualidade sonora muito boa também. Quanto a prensagem, confesso que deixa muito a desejar. Capa simples e material de baixa qualidade. Não condiz com a grandiosidade desse álbum.

I am a big DIO fan i like all his albumseven this album DREAM EVILthe sound is a bit different from his previous 3 albumscause each track has elements from the RAINBOW sound so it does sound a bit more heavysimilar to Rainbow from the 70'S it says so in the new liner notes in this Deluxe editioni guess that is why this album wasn't a massive success when it was released back in 1987but so what, from a fans point of view i love the sound of the albumbefore this Deluxe edition was released, this album was only available from an original cd pressingwhich sounded terriblethis Deluxe edition has the original album Digital remastered for enhanced sound qualityso it does sound much better than the first cd releaseDisc 2 has the LIVE concert from Donington 1987,the same concert released on the 2 Disc Donington UK CD back 3 years ago 2010which i already have, so there is nothing new thereyou can still get the 2 Disc Donington concerts on amazon uk or amazon.comthe booklet is Great, there is recent interviews with the Guitarist from the albumtalking about the Making of the album etc, very interesting reading for any DIO fanso the only reason for buying this Deluxe edition version of Dream evilis cause the whole album has been Digital remastered for enhanced audio quality like i saidbetter quality than the Original cd releasestill a really Good DIO album in my opinion,definitely time for an upgrade if you only have the original cd pressingworth the money to get the Deluxe edition