DIO - Dream Evil 12" Vinyl LP Album

- DIO's 1987 Metal Epic: A Spellbinding Fusion of Power, Mysticism & Thunderous Riff

A surreal painting of a child sleeping in a dimly lit bedroom while nightmarish creatures emerge from the bed and shadows. A menacing armored demon with glowing orange eyes watches through a gothic arched window, backlit by a full moon. The room is scattered with eerie details, including an open book, a crystal orb, and crawling creatures.

Hey there, metalheads! Ever felt the pull of the dark side, the thrill of a riff that sends shivers down your spine? Then crank up Dio's "Dream Evil" and let the nightmare begin! This 1987 gem showcases the master himself, Ronnie James Dio, alongside the thunderous rhythm section of Vinny Appice and Jimmy Bain. It's heavy metal with a touch of the mystical, a journey into a world where dreams and darkness collide.

Setting the Stage: Heavy Metal in the Late 80s
Album Description:

Picture this: it's 1987. Hairspray and spandex are in full effect. Glam metal rules the airwaves, but a darker, more visceral force is brewing beneath the surface. Dio, having already blazed a trail with Rainbow and Black Sabbath, is ready to reclaim his throne as the king of heavy metal. "Dream Evil" is his battle cry, a defiant roar against the tide of commercialism.

Musical Exploration: A Fusion of Power and Melody

This album isn't just a collection of headbanging anthems. It's a testament to Dio's mastery of songwriting, his ability to blend thunderous riffs with soaring vocals and intricate melodies. From the opening salvo of "Night People" to the epic closer "When a Woman Cries", "Dream Evil" is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, a sonic journey that will leave you breathless.

Genre-Bending: Not Just Heavy Metal

Sure, this is heavy metal through and through, but Dio wasn't afraid to push the boundaries. There are hints of prog rock in the sprawling "All the Fools Sailed Away", a touch of blues in the soulful "I Could Have Been a Dreamer", and even a dash of gothic darkness in the haunting "Faces in the Window". This is an album that defies easy categorization, a testament to Dio's restless creativity.

Controversies: A Change in Sound

Some die-hard fans cried foul, claiming "Dream Evil" was too polished, too commercial compared to Dio's earlier work. But let's be real, folks. This is still a heavy metal album, just one with a slightly more refined edge. Dio wasn't afraid to evolve, to experiment with new sounds and textures. And that's what makes "Dream Evil" so damn exciting.

The Dream Team: Production and Personnel

Behind every great album is a team of talented individuals, and "Dream Evil" is no exception. The legendary Vinny Appice (formerly of Black Sabbath) pounds the skins with relentless fury, while Jimmy Bain (also ex-Rainbow) lays down a thunderous bass foundation. Craig Goldy's guitar work is a revelation, a perfect blend of technical virtuosity and raw emotion. And of course, there's Dio himself, his voice a force of nature, capable of both spine-tingling screams and heart-wrenching ballads.

Recording Studio: Capturing the Magic

"Dream Evil" was recorded at the iconic Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, a place where countless rock and metal legends have made history. The album's production is crisp and powerful, capturing the raw energy of the band's live performances while adding a layer of studio polish.

Conclusion: A Metal Masterpiece

"Dream Evil" might not be Dio's most iconic album, but it's a damn fine one. It's a testament to his enduring legacy, his ability to evolve and innovate while staying true to his heavy metal roots. So crank it up, let the music wash over you, and experience the power of Dio's "Dream Evil".

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal Hard Rock 

Album Production information:

Produced by Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio was a legendary heavy metal vocalist known for his powerful voice and fantasy-driven lyrics. Rising to fame with Rainbow, he later fronted Black Sabbath before forming his band, Dio. His iconic albums like "Holy Diver" and "The Last in Line" cemented his status as a metal icon. His influence on the Heavy Metal genre remains unmatched. Learn more

Angelo Arcuri - Producer, Sound Engineer

Allen Abrahamson - Sound Engineer

Charlie Brocco - Sound Engineer

Tom Biener - Sound Engineer

Recorded at Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA

Mixed at Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA

Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound

George Marino was a legendary mastering engineer whose expertise shaped the sound of countless iconic albums. Born in 1947, he honed his craft at Capitol Records before joining Sterling Sound in 1973. His mastering work on albums by AC/DC, Metallica, and Guns N' Roses defined rock and metal's sonic power. His legacy endures through his meticulous audio craftsmanship. Learn more

Gene Kirkland - Photography

Gene Kirkland has been taking photos for music albums covers (during the 1980s) mainly for DIO, but also for Megadeth and Sanctuary.

Janet Levinson - Art Direction

Margo Chase - Hand Lettering

Steve Huston - Illustration

Wendy Dio - Cover Concept

Record Label & Catalognr:

Vertigo 832 530

Album Packaging:

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, and photos of Ronnie James Dio and his band.  

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Record

Year & Country:

1987 Made in Holland
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: DIO - Dream Evil
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Ronnie James Dio (1943-2010) - Vocals
    Ronnie James Dio was a legendary heavy metal vocalist known for his powerful voice and fantasy-driven lyrics. Rising to fame with Rainbow, he later fronted Black Sabbath before forming his band, Dio. His iconic albums like "Holy Diver" and "The Last in Line" cemented his status as a metal icon. His influence on the Heavy Metal genre remains unmatched. Learn more

     

  • Claude Schnell - Keyboards
  • Craig Goldy - Guitars
  • Jimmy Bain (1947-2016) - Bass, Keyboards
    Jimmy Bain was a renowned bass guitarist known for his work with Rainbow and Dio. His powerful bass lines shaped classics like "Rising" with Rainbow and "Holy Diver" with Dio. A key contributor to heavy metal's golden era, his driving rhythms and songwriting helped define the genre’s sound. His legacy lives on through his timeless recordings. basslines powered some of hard rock's most iconic anthems. Learn more
  • Vinny Appice - Drums
    Vinny Appice is a powerhouse drummer known for his thunderous and precise playing. Born in 1957, he gained fame with Black Sabbath, debuting on "Heaven and Hell" alongside Ronnie James Dio. He later joined Dio’s band, contributing to iconic albums like "Holy Diver" and "The Last in Line2. His influence on heavy metal drumming remains legendary. Learn more
Complete Track Listing of: DIO Dream Evil

The Song/tracks on "DIO Dream Evil" are

    Side One:
  • Night People
  • Dream Evil
  • Sunset Superman
  • All the Fools Sailed
    Side Two:
  • Naked in the Rain
  • Overlove
  • I Could have been a Dreamer
  • Faces in the Window
  • When a Woman Cries

DIO Dream Evil Album Photo Gallery:

Album Front Cover Photo
A surreal painting of a child sleeping in a dimly lit bedroom while nightmarish creatures emerge from the bed and shadows. A menacing armored demon with glowing orange eyes watches through a gothic arched window, backlit by a full moon. The room is scattered with eerie details, including an open book, a crystal orb, and crawling creatures.

High-Resolution Photo Album Front Cover of DIO Dream Evil

This haunting artwork depicts a surreal nightmarish scene. A young child with curly hair sleeps peacefully in a bed with a pink quilted blanket, unaware of the eerie surroundings.

Dark creatures with clawed hands, serpent-like tails, and insect-like limbs creep from beneath the bed and the shadows, hinting at a supernatural presence. A ghostly female figure with greenish skin and wild flowing hair appears to be floating nearby, reaching outward as if emerging from the dream itself.

Through a gothic arched window, a towering armored demon with glowing orange eyes stands menacingly, arms crossed, backlit by the full moon. The contrast of light and shadow creates a dramatic and ominous effect.

The foreground contains unsettling details—a glowing crystal orb, an open book with red-edged pages, black spiders crawling across the floor, and clawed hands reaching out from under the bed.

The mix of deep blues and purples in the shadows against the warm golden moonlight and soft pink bedding creates a striking contrast. The artwork embodies the theme of *Dream Evil*, blending dreams and nightmares into a chilling visual experience.

Album Back Cover Photo
A dark and atmospheric back cover of DIO Dream Evil featuring an open gothic doorway glowing with eerie orange light, mist swirling around the entrance. A shadowy figure looms beyond the doorway. A glowing chest, a small teddy bear, and a sinister clown doll sit on the floor. Gothic arched windows cast an ominous glow, with lyrics printed in the scene.

High-Resolution Photo Album Back Cover of DIO Dream Evil

The back cover of *DIO Dream Evil* presents an eerie and foreboding atmosphere. Dominating the scene is a large, open gothic doorway emitting a fiery orange glow. Mist-like tendrils swirl through the entrance, adding a supernatural feel. A shadowy figure stands within the doorway, barely visible, shrouded in mystery.

To the right, gothic arched windows cast an ominous light, reinforcing the haunting mood. The printed lyrics of a verse from the album appear in white text, subtly blending into the scene, adding to the dreamlike and mysterious quality.

In the foreground, a glowing chest sits open, as if containing an ethereal energy or hidden magic. Nearby, a small teddy bear sits motionless, juxtaposing innocence with the darker theme. Adding to the unsettling imagery, a sinister clown doll grips two daggers, its expression frozen in a disturbing grin, hinting at the themes of nightmares and hidden fears that run through the album.

Below, the tracklist is printed in a straightforward, bold font, dividing the songs into Side One and Side Two. Production credits, including *Ronnie James Dio* as producer, and acknowledgments such as "In Remembrance" for Mary Appice and John Downing, are also present.

The back cover perfectly complements the front artwork, maintaining the album's theme of blurred reality, nightmares, and the unknown. Its haunting elements serve as a visual extension of *Dream Evil’s* dark, melodic storytelling.

First Photo Of Custom Inner Sleeve
The first custom inner sleeve of DIO Dream Evil featuring a black and white band photo with a purple tint. The five members stand in a confident pose with signature 1980s rock hairstyles and outfits. The right side of the sleeve includes detailed production credits, acknowledgments, and a fan club invitation.

High-Resolution Photo of the Original Custom Inner Sleeve (OIS) #1 of DIO Dream Evil

The first inner sleeve of *DIO Dream Evil* features a striking black-and-white photograph of the band, tinted in purple. The five members, dressed in classic 1980s rock and metal attire, stand together in a powerful pose. Their signature voluminous hairstyles and intense expressions reflect the era’s visual aesthetic.

On the right side of the sleeve, a large block of text provides detailed production credits, including the names of producers, engineers, photographers, and other key contributors to the album’s creation. The section also contains special acknowledgments, thanking individuals who played a role in supporting the band and its production process.

At the bottom, a message invites fans to join the official *DIO Fan Club*. The invitation includes a mailing address in Tarzana, California, where fans could request additional merchandise and exclusive items related to the band.

This inner sleeve serves as both a visual and informational element of the album, giving fans insight into the creative minds behind *Dream Evil* while reinforcing the band’s image and connection with its audience.

Second Photo Of Custom Inner Sleeve
Second custom inner sleeve of DIO Dream Evil featuring the lyrics to 'All the Fools Sailed Away' in a structured format. The text is black on a white background, with an ornate, purple gothic-styled letter 'A' decorated with intricate swirling patterns on the left side.

High-Resolution Photo of the Original Custom Inner Sleeve (OIS) #2 of DIO Dream Evil

This second inner sleeve of *DIO Dream Evil* features a minimalist yet elegant design, primarily displaying the lyrics to *All the Fools Sailed Away*. The text is printed in a classic, serif font in black, structured neatly in multiple stanzas.

A standout feature of this sleeve is the large, ornate purple letter *A* at the beginning of the lyrics. The letter is intricately designed with gothic influences, featuring sharp, angular patterns that resemble medieval calligraphy, blended with flowing, curved flourishes that extend outward. The purple hue adds a mystical and regal touch, enhancing the visual impact.

The background is stark white, ensuring a clean and readable presentation of the song’s lyrics. This contrast between the black text and the white space emphasizes clarity while allowing the decorative elements to stand out.

The overall layout maintains a refined and sophisticated aesthetic, balancing the lyrical content with visual artistry, staying true to the thematic and stylistic elements of *Dream Evil*.

Close up of Side One record's label
Close-up of Side One label of DIO Dream Evil LP, featuring a space-themed design with futuristic UFOs in the sky. The label includes the album title, tracklist, production credits, and Vertigo logo, with text such as 'Made in Holland,' catalog number 832 530-1, and producer credit to Ronnie James Dio.

High-Resolution Close-Up Photo of the LP Record Label

This close-up of Side One of the *DIO Dream Evil* LP showcases the record’s label, which features a visually striking space-themed design. The label art depicts a cosmic landscape with futuristic UFOs hovering above a glowing, distant planet, surrounded by stars. This vibrant background gives the album a sci-fi aesthetic, reinforcing the themes of fantasy and mystery that *Dream Evil* embodies.

The label contains essential album details, including the title *Dream Evil* prominently displayed below the record’s center hole. The tracklist for Side One is printed below, listing songs such as *Night People*, *Dream Evil*, *Sunset Superman*, and *All the Fools Sailed Away*, along with their respective durations and songwriting credits.

Several key identifiers are present on the label. The catalog number *832 530-1* is printed in bold, indicating this pressing’s edition. The phrase *Made in Holland* appears below the *Stereo 33⅓* marking, specifying the record's origin and playback speed. Additionally, production credits confirm that the album was produced by *Ronnie James Dio*, with a copyright notice from 1987 for Phonogram and Music B.V.

In the lower section, the iconic *Vertigo* logo is displayed, representing the record label known for its legendary rock and metal releases. A boxed section on the right contains additional distribution and pressing plant details.

This label’s combination of detailed album information and artistic elements makes it an essential part of the *Dream Evil* vinyl experience, visually enhancing the album’s mystique and legacy.

Index of DIO (The Band) - Vinyl LP Albums Discography

DIO - Dream Evil 12" Vinyl LP
Updated
DIO - Dream Evil album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

Released in 1987, Dream Evil is Dio's fourth studio album, blending soaring vocals, thunderous drums, and mystical themes. Featuring iconic tracks like Night People and All the Fools Sailed Away, it showcases Dio’s signature mix of fantasy and heavy metal. With Vinny Appice on drums and Jimmy Bain on bass, this album delivers a polished yet powerful sound, cementing Dio’s legacy in metal history.

Learn more
DIO - Holy Diver 12" Vinyl LP
DIO - Holy Diver album front cover vinyl record

Dio's legendary debut album "Holy Diver" arrives in Germany and the Netherlands! This 1983 vinyl LP delivers heavy metal classics like "Holy Diver" and "Rainbow in the Dark."

- Holy Diver (1983, Germany ) - Holy Diver (1983, Netherlands)
DIO - Intermission 12" Vinyl LP
DIO - Intermission album front cover vinyl record

Recorded at the San Diego Sports Arena in 1985 during the "Sacred Heart" tour, "Intermission" served as a sonic testament to the band's intense stage presence and Dio's enduring power as a frontman.

Learn more
DIO - Last In Line (German & Netherlands Releases)
DIO - Last In Line (German & Netherlands Releases) album front cover vinyl record

DIO's seminal album "The Last in Line" arrived in Germany and the Netherlands in 1984. This vinyl LP showcases the band's raw power with iconic tracks like "We Rock" and the album's namesake.

- Last in Line ( 1984, Germany ) - Last In Line ( 1984, Netherlands )
DIO - Lock Up The Wolves 12" Vinyl LP
DIO - Lock Up The Wolves album front cover vinyl record

Released in 1990, "Lock Up The Wolves" emerged at a pivotal juncture in Dio's musical evolution. The album marked a departure from some of his earlier works, as it unveiled a renewed sense of exploration

Learn more
DIO - Sacred Heart (Three European Releases)
DIO - Sacred Heart (Three European Releases) album front cover vinyl record

DIO's iconic third album "Sacred Heart" hit European, German, and Dutch record stores in 1985. This heavy metal masterpiece features hits like "Rock 'N' Roll Children" and the title track. Learn the history of this classic vinyl!

- Sacred Heart (1985, Europe) - Sacred Heart (1985, Germany) - Sacred Heart (1985, Holland)