Dio’s Magica Deluxe Edition Coming June 25

Just a tad over 13 years (has it been that long, really) the album “Magica” was released by Dio.  This album was a turning point in Dio’s career.  He had just come off a couple of albums with Tracy G, and to a lot of long time Dio fans, those albums didn’t sit well.  Not like the tunes were bad, but they had a much different feel than the Dio albums that preceded them.   So it was welcome news to me in 2000 when it was announced that Craig Goldy was returning to Dio.  One of my favorite albums from the 80’s incarnation of Dio was the Dream Evil one.  So for him to return for a new studio album was something I was looking forward to.

It came out, and I really enjoyed it.  Well, not at first.  Let me tell you why.  It came out as a “concept” album, and to be honest, I was having difficulty following the concept.  Once I stopped trying to do that, I found myself getting into the music more.   To this day I’ve never really tried to understand the concept of the album, but that’s me.  I’ve run into people over the years that are surprised that I never did.   That’s OK – I still really loved the album as a piece of music.   Go look at what I wrote about my three favorite tracks from this album (Fever Dreams, Feed My Head, & Challis) over on my Dio career retrospective article.

I saw Dio on the Magica tour in Dallas.   If memory serves, he played not the entire Magica album, but awfully close to it.   What I *DO* remember is that Dimebag was at that concert, too.   I was standing by the soundboard for most of the concert, and I recall clearly seeing Wendy Dio there for a lot of the gig, and Dimebag was shuttling between the soundbard and the bar.   That’s a memory I won’t forget.  :)

Original 2000 Press

Anyway, shortly before the original Magica album came out, I got a promo copy from Dio’s then record label, Spitfire.  It included some press text.   Here’s the original press blurb about Magica from 13 years ago….

Ronnie James Dio, arguably metal’s most enduring and well regarded heavy metal vocalist returns with his first new work in four years, a concept album which is surprisingly his first in 35 years as a recording musician. But don’t expect a concept record in the standard sense of the word. Having seen many attempts amongst his metal compatriots through the years, Dio has something special in store. As is begetting his proven literary stature, the critical mass of the album itself is cloaked in allegory and metaphor, abstraction to the point where little of the plot can be ascertained within the flow of the songs. Such illumination is left for the booklet, as well as the 20 minute narration from Ronnie that caps and brackets the record. Ronnie explains: “Not ever having done this before, and wanting to take some time with it, I didn’t want to be foolish about it. These things can turn out pretty strange. It has its peaks and valleys of course, but it has to tell a story. I didn’t want to do it all in verse. So it tells the story in music as well, with logs of high relief, share and light. It’s much more involved than the things we’ve done before, but again, it retains the character of Dio music. As well, the songs can be removed from the whole process and stand on their own, so much so, that I’ve provided the narration. I’m trying to tell as much as I can in the music, but I want to tell something extra. But in essence, it’s a journey that should be consumed beginning to end.”

Musically, Ronnie’s band has turned in a regal, self-assured timeless performance as befits their veteran status within metal’s upper echelons. On guitar and co-writer, Dio welcomes back Dream Evil axeman Craig Goldy. Simon Wright also returns to the fold, having pounded the skins for 1990′s Lock up the Wolves. And last but definitely not least Magica marks the return of bass legend Jimmy Bain, having worked with Ronnie during Rainbow’s golden era. So everything points to a return: a reunion of personnel, a reinvigoration back to the roots of Dio’s creative high points (Ronnie feels the record specifically invokes the spirit of Holy Diver, Mob Rules, & Long Live Rock & Roll) and, given the weighty grooves enclosed, a return to the critical and commercial statue Ronnie commanded through much of the 1980′s. Magica awaits…

So? It’s 2013…

But that’s 13 years ago.   This is 2013, and we fast forward to a newly announced “Deluxe Edition” of Magica.   The original Magica release has been out of print for ages, so this will be a welcome opportunity for folks to check out an album they may have missed, without having to pay a pretty penny for an original copy.   But it’s not just the 13 year old album.   Here, check out the track listing:

Disc 1

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. Otherworld
12. Magica – Reprise
13. Lord Of The Last Day – Reprise

Disc 2

1. The Magica Story (Narrated By Ronnie James Dio)
2. Annica (Japanese Only Bonus Track)
3. Electra (Recorded for Magica II & III)
4. Feed My Head (Official Live Bootleg)
5. Fever Dreams (Official Live Bootleg)
6. Turn To Stone (Official live Bootleg)
7. Lord Of The Last Day (Official Live Bootleg)
8. As Long as It’s Not about Love (Official live bootleg)
9. Losing My Insanity (Official live bootleg)

Annica has been around for awhile, as is stated above, it was originally the Japanese bonus track for that country’s release of Magica, but was hard to come by legally.   Electra was more recent and a bit more widely available.  Originally released on the limited edition Tournado box set, and then later on the “Beast of Dio Vol 2” compilation, it’s inclusion here feels more natural.

Also included in the CD set will be deluxe packaging and a deluxe booklet (which will include the original ‘Magica’ tour dates and a set list), as well as such bonus inserts – including the “Magica Story” – and a Ronnie James Dio postcard.

I don’t have ordering information for this yet, but I’m told it’s being handled through Niji directly, so it’ll probably be available directly through the Dio website, as well as the usual places like Amazon.com and whatnot.  Once I get more info on that, I’ll be sure to update.

The album HAS been remastered for this 2013 release – by Wyn Davis, a name that should be familiar to Dio fans.  :)

Ordering Info

Forthcoming

Formal Press Release

Here is the formal press release from Niji announcing “Magica: Deluxe Edition”:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LATTER DAY DIO CLASSIC, ‘MAGICA,’ TO GET DELUXE CD TREATMENT

As long time fans can attest, the quality of Dio’s studio albums never wavered throughout the group’s near 30-year career. Case in point, the fan favorite/concept album, ‘Magica,’ which featured Ronnie James Dio’s one-of-a-kind vocals and the return of guitarist Craig Goldy. The album spawned such metal classics as “Fever Dreams,” “Turn to Stone,” and “Lord of the Last Day,” and has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide – largely on word of mouth alone. One small problem – the original 2000 CD version has been out of print for years, and has become increasingly hard to find. But to the delight of Dio fans worldwide, ‘Magica’ will be getting a makeover – on Tuesday, June 25th, 2013 as Niji Entertainment Group will be issuing the 2 CD ‘Magica Deluxe Edition.’

A breakdown of what will be included on this two CD set is as follows:

CD 1 will contain the full album.

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. Otherworld
12. Magica- Reprise
13. Lord Of The Last Day – Reprise

CD 2 will contain “The Magica Story” (narrated by Ronnie James Dio) and the bonus track “Annica,” which was only available as a Japanese bonus track along with “Electra” (which was planned for ‘Magica 2 and 3’) and six, never before released Official Live Bootleg tracks from 2000/2001.

1. The Magica Story (Narrated By Ronnie James Dio)
2. Annica (Japanese Only Bonus Track)
3. Electra (Recorded for Magica 2 & 3)
4. Feed My Head (Official Live Bootleg)
5. Fever Dreams (Official Live Bootleg)
6. Turn To Stone (Official live Bootleg)
7. Lord Of The Last Day (Official Live Bootleg)
8. As Long as It’s Not about Love (Official live bootleg)
9. Losing My Insanity (Official live bootleg)

Also included in the CD set will be deluxe packaging and a deluxe booklet (which will include the original ‘Magica’ tour dates and a set list), as well as such bonus inserts – including the “Magica Story” – and a Ronnie James Dio postcard.

And the accolades surrounding ‘Magica’ continue all these years later:

“Since I played such a major role in how ‘Magica’ was created, it became one of my most proudest Dio moments and an experience I shall never forget!”- Craig Goldy (Dio, Dio Disciples)

“‘Magica’ is an album I know Ronnie was extremely proud of. Epic is a word that I often use to describe it to people!”- Simon Wright (Dio, Dio Disciples)

“‘Magica’ was an extremely important album to Ronnie James Dio”- Eddie Trunk, “That Metal Show” VH1 Classic

“With this Deluxe Edition of “Magica,” we are reminded just how much Dio really meant – to all of us.”- Mick Wall, Legendary Writer/Radio host

Soon, Dio fans worldwide will get the opportunity to experience the mighty ‘Magica’ as they’ve never done before.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

• ronniejamesdio.com
• facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio
• facebook.com/nijientertainmentgroup