Artist: Dio Album: Lock Up the Wolves

Year: 1990
Duration: 59:08

Lock Up the Wolves by Dio: A Critical Review

Dio, known for his powerful vocals and contributions to the heavy metal genre, has produced several iconic albums. Lock Up the Wolves, released in 1990, marked a new era for the artist as it featured a new lineup and a shift towards a more contemporary sound. In this post, we will provide a brief history of Dio, delve into the music genre of Lock Up the Wolves, highlight the best songs, discuss the most innovative parts, and provide a critical review of the album as a whole.

Before diving into the specifics of Lock Up the Wolves, let us first consider Dio's beginnings. Born in New Hampshire in 1942, Ronnie James Dio, began his music career as a trumpet player. He eventually transitioned to rock and joined Rainbow as lead vocalist before becoming a replacement for Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath. After releasing a few solo albums, he formed the band Dio which recorded a series of albums including Lock Up the Wolves.

Lock Up the Wolves marks a departure from the classic heavy metal sound of Dio's previous albums. Instead, the album dabbles in a more experimental sound with influences from hard rock, glam metal, and even hints of prog rock. The album features intricate guitar work from Rowan Robertson, who became the new guitarist for the band. With the assistance of co-writers like Jens Johansson and Simon Wright, Dio crafted an album with a more contemporary flair.

The album opens with the title track, Lock Up the Wolves, which sets the tone for the whole album. The track is frenetic, with a driving beat and distorted guitar riffs that hint at Dio's willingness to experiment with his sound. Other standout tracks on the album include Hey Angel, an anthemic ballad that showcases Dio's soaring vocals, Evil on Queen Street, a lively rocker that features Robertson's impressive guitar skills, and Walk on Water, a moody, atmospheric track with a haunting melody.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is the use of keyboards, which were not as prevalent in the band's previous work. In particular, Why Are They Watching Me and Wild One demonstrate Johansson's keyboard skills and add a layer of depth and complexity to the tracks.

Despite the experimentation and fresh approach, not all fans enjoyed Lock Up the Wolves. Some viewed it as Dio's weakest album, with criticisms ranging from the lack of consistency in the tracks to unmemorable songwriting. However, many fans and critics believe it to be a gem among Dio's discography.

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In conclusion, Lock Up the Wolves is an album that marks a point of stylistic evolution for Dio. It demonstrates his willingness to experiment with his sound and pushes him towards a more contemporary approach. While the album may not be to everyone's taste, it undoubtedly has its standout moments. The impressive guitar work and Johansson's keyboard skills add layers to Dio's sound, and the title track along with other songs like Hey Angel and Evil on Queen Street are excellent examples of Dio's vocal prowess. In all, Lock Up the Wolves is a fascinating album that is worth giving a spin.

In conclusion, Lock Up the Wolves is an album that marks a point of stylistic evolution for Dio. It demonstrates his willingness to experiment with his sound and pushes him towards a more contemporary approach. While the album may not be to everyone's taste, it undoubtedly has its standout moments. The impressive guitar work and Johansson's keyboard skills add layers to Dio's sound, and the title track along with other songs like Hey Angel and Evil on Queen Street are excellent examples of Dio's vocal prowess. In all, Lock Up the Wolves is a fascinating album that is worth giving a spin.