Dio: The Last In Line (RSD 2021 Picture Disc)

This worthy 1984 follow-up to Dio’s debut announces its intentions from its opening track: “We Rock.” From that soon-to-be concert favorite to the epic finale “Egypt (The Chains Are On),” the headbanging quintet never lets up, though the addition of Rough Cutt keyboardist Claude Schnell to the line-up moves the band’s sound ever so slightly closer to the mainstream. THE LAST IN LINE explores dark fantasy terrain that will be familiar to fans, but the powerful presence of Ronnie James Dio and the insistent guitar riffs of Vivian Campbell make every song a thrill. Dio passed away on this day in 2010, and we’ll cue up this terrific 1984 collection to remember the distinctive frontman – when it came to heavy metal singing, he truly was THE LAST IN LINE.