Dio concert review; Feb 26th, 1997 by Jan Bagger

The following is a review of a Dio show of the second leg of the Angry Machines European tour, originally faxed to me. Republished here with permission from the author. I had to edit the layout a little bit for better outlook on web, but all the information is still intact.

From: Jan Bagger
Subject: VEGA, Copenhagen, Denmark
Date: February 28th, 1997

Concert with DIO/support band: Original Sin
VEGA, Copenhagen, Denmark - Thursday, 25th February 1997 [Tapio's comment: It was actually Wednesday the 26th]
Jan Bagger, Roskilde, Denmark

VEGA (takes approx. 1500 people) is a great place for rock concerts. - I guess there were about 900-1000 people.

Original Sin were OK, not the best or the worst support band I have ever heard. They played traditional heavy metal (with many Malmsteen-inspired guitar solos), and they finished their set with a version of the Black Sabbath song Symptom Of The Universe - It was a good band, but the sound of the support bands are not exactly great.

Then after a keyboard intro Dio's show started. I can only say: "The Man" are still singing great, his voice was as strong as ever. Apart from a little thinner hair he looked good. He enjoyed himself, were laughing to the band mates and the fans - no doubt about it - Ronnie James Dio and band are in good shape. It was a truly wonderful experience to see Dio again after almost 10 years - my 5th Dio concert out of 5.

Vinny Appice - apparently just recovered from his illness - were just as steady and heavy as ever. Tracy G played good and had a great sound on his guitar - but the only thing I have to say is, that he should try to play the guitar solos on the oder stuff more like the originals by Vivian Campbell. The bass player and the keyboard player did also their jobs well.

The Set:

• Jesus, Mary & The Holy Ghost
• Straight Through The Heart
• Don´t Talk To Strangers
• Holy Diver
• Drum solo
• Heaven And Hell
• Double Monday
• Stand Up And Shout
• Bass solo
• Hunter Of The Heart
• Mistreated
• Guitar solo
• The Last In Line
encore:
• Rainbow In The Dark
• The Mob Rules

I was surprised that so many younger people came to see Dio, so it was not only "older" guys like myself (31 years) that remember him from Rainbow and Black Sabbath and the old Dio stuff.

Dio did not have a big stage set up, but it was a great rock concert - I can't wait to buy the next Dio album, and go to the next Dio concert. The papers headlines said it all: "Dio is still going strong". So if Dio are playing near you - GO AND SEE IT!

Jan Bagger