DIO Evil Or Divine: Live In New York City - 2003 US live DVD

Whether fronting Rainbow, Black Sabbath, or his own band, Ronnie James Dio has proven himself to be one of classic metal's most enduring and capable vocalists.

This show, filmed at New York City's Roseland Ballroom on Friday the 13th of December 2002, finds the met-vet in full cry with his self-named band. The film takes in the entire concert without interruption and mercifully avoids too much post-production dabbling or a distracting overuse of cinematic effects. Some slo-mo and black-and-white moments notwithstanding, it's just great, straight-up concert footage delivered by a multitude of cameras.

Earlier in the year, the band had released its ninth studio album, 'Killing the Dragon'. Three songs from that disc are featured here. The title track is a full-tilt rocker that works well as the curtain raiser, but another of the cuts, "Rock and Roll," sounds like a watered-down mimic of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir." The old material still works like a charm and the best moments are actually the ones that reach back the furthest, especially "Long Live Rock and Roll" from Dio's days with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and "Heaven and Hell" from his stint as Black Sabbath's frontman. The band is tight and tough, the playing strong, and Ronnie James' voice still commanding and distinctive. Nevertheless, the songs do lack some of the melodic crispness and emotional punch that the studio versions have. But you'd never know that from the audience at the Roseland, which is fittingly rabid and almost exclusively male. (The singer exhibits excellent rapport with his audience and comes across as very much a man of the people.)

All in all, this is a good show, and a good film of a good show. The extras are so-so: an interview with a somewhat pretentious Ronnie James; some amateurish behind-the-scenes footage; a photo gallery; and a promo video for "Push," which is brought to life by a cameo appearance by Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass). Better than many concert DVDs, 'Evil or Divine captures' one of metal's elders in fine form.

~ Review by Adrian Zupp, Rovi

TRACK LISTING:

DVD:

1. Killing The Dragon
2. Egypt / Children Of The Sea
3. Push
4. Drum Solo
5. Stand Up And Shout
6. Rock And Roll
7. Don’t Talk To Strangers
8. Man On The Silver Mountain
9. Guitar Solo
10. Long Live Rock And Roll
11. Lord Of The Last Day
12. Fever Dreams
13. Holy Diver
14. Heaven And Hell
15. The Last In Line
16. Rainbow In The Dark
17. We Rock

Bonus Features:

Video for "Push", featuring Tenacious D
Extensive interview with Ronnie James Dio
Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes footage
Photo Gallery