Artist: DIO
Album: LOCK UP THE WOLVES (CD)

Release date: 1990
EAN/UPS: 0042284603324
Media type: CD

After the 'Dream Evil' world tour, the US package shows with MEGADETH and SAVATAGE having been wrapped up in March 1988, DIO effectively splintered. During July Bain stepped into the breach to aid CINDERELLA for their tour when Eric Brittingham had to attend to his new born baby. Dio himself engaged in a brief outside endeavour, acting as producer for Ann Boleyn's HELLION, gaining credits for the track 'Run For Your Life' on the 'Postcards From The Asylum' album. The singer would also find recognition from his hometown of Cortland, New York that same year as a street between Central Avenue and East Court Street was officially re-named 'Dio Way' on 15thn November.

The exiled Bain and Appice would forge a new muscular Metal act WWIII for one over the top album fronted by Mandy Lion with guitars from Tracy G. Following his CRAIG GOLDY'S RITUAL project album Goldy would found HARD LUCK in 1992 with ex-ALIEN, FOUR HORSEMEN and BONE ANGELS singer Frank Starr, guitarist Tim Propearcy, ex-KILLERWATT, STEVE JONES and BONE ANGELS bassist Terry Nails and drummer Mark Bistany.

July 1989 was to provide the announcement that Dio had found his replacement for Goldie in the form of the fresh faced 17 year old British guitarist Rowan Robertson. Dio had deferred for quite some time on Robertson, then a member of his own act SHOOT THE MOON, due to his tender years but eventually announced his recruitment.

Longstanding ally Appice departed just weeks before recording of a new album and in his stead came former TYTAN and AC/DC drummer Simon Wright. The same year DIO added New York based former HOTSHOT bassist Teddy Cook and former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN colleague keyboard player Jens Johansson, the latter drafted after the parting of ways with Claude Schnell. DIO debuted his new look band at the small Oliver's Pub in New York in July 1989.

Supporting the 'Lock Up The Wolves' album, co-produced by Tony Platt, DIO gained the valuable guest spot on METALLICA's June 1990 European tour on a bill that also included WARRIOR SOUL and BONHAM prior to British headline shows with openers TROUBLE. Further US gigs saw DIO heading up a billing comprising YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and the Wendy Dio managed COLD SWEAT. On August 28th 1990 the vocalist's erstwhile BLACK SABBATH cohort bassist Geezer Butler appeared as a guest onstage at the Minneapolis Forum. It was a portent of what was to come. Fan support was seriously on the wane, as evidenced on this US tour by half filled venues and even cancelled shows due to slow ticket sales. On September 23rd at the 18,000 capacity Costa Mesas Pacific Amphitheater backed up by STRYPER, LOVE/HATE and COLD SWEAT the venue only received just under 4,000 fans. These figures would come back to haunt Dio in the not too distant future.

1991 saw Dio somewhat enevitably succumbing to the temptation of a BLACK SABBATH reunion. Once a free agent, Johansson found fresh employment with noted Finns STRATOVARIUS. During Dio's BLACK SABBATH interlude Wright joined UFO. Robertson formed the short-lived FREEDOM with LYNCH MOB vocalist Oni Logan and TRIANGLE drummer Jimmy Paxson. The guitarist would later be found with his own act VIOLET'S DEMISE before joining V.A.S.T. for their 'Music For The People' album. Teddy Cook joined CHINA RAIN before enlistment into the ranks of GREAT WHITE in 1992, VIRGIN STEELE, RONDINELLI and THE SIGN.

The resulting BLACK SABBATH album 'Dehumanizer' was a patchy affair with few songs making the grade achieved by the illustrious early eighties predecessors but the subsequent tour had both Dio and BLACK SABBATH back on track. Predictably it was to end on a sour note. BLACK SABBATH's management agreed to a brace of shows as guests to OZZY OSBOURNE. Playing second fiddle to Osbourne was anathema to Dio who promptly announced he would not undertake the shows. Dio remained steadfast in his refusal to perform the shows and the resulting stalemate forced his departure once more. SABBATH went ahead with the shows using the guest talents of former JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Rob Halford.

TRACKLIST:

1. Wild One
2. Hey Angel
3. Between Two Hearts
4. Night Music
5. Lock Up The Wolves
6. Evil On Queen Street
7. Walk On Water
8. Born On The Sun
9. Twisted
10. My Eyes

LINE-UP:

Ronnie James Dio (vocals)
Rowan Robertson (guitar)
Teddy Cook (bass)
Jens Johansson (keyboards)
Simon Wright (drums)