Killing the Dragon
Encyclopedia
Killing the Dragon is Dio's
ninth studio album
. It was released May 21, 2002 through Spitfire Records
and was produced by frontman Ronnie James Dio
. A re-release in 2007 puts Killing the Dragon together with Magica.
In an interview on Uranium
, Dio stated that the "dragon" of the album title refers to technology
. He expressed concern with it threatening society
in the future. Dio elaborated that the title track refers to "those who perpetrate injustices and what the world is doing to stop them. In fantasy tales, dragons were notorious for stealing children and feeding them to their babies. During the first part of the song, I sing 'Someone has taken a child.' The second part is about a cruel feudal lord. The third part is about 'electronic serfdom.'" He also expressed belief that the computer has become a god in modern society. "It is a small god with an electrical heart. . . It is time to rebel against it."
Killing the Dragon introduces guitarist Doug Aldrich
to the band. He had previously performed with Burning Rain
and subsequently went on to join the band Whitesnake
. Previous guitarist, Craig Goldy
, co-wrote some of the songs before leaving the band. He returned for 2004's Master of the Moon
.
The song "Push" was a hit and had a music video that featured Tenacious D
performing a humorous cover of Ronnie James Dio's biggest song from his time with Black Sabbath
, "Heaven and Hell
". Dio approaches them to tell them that he will pay them to play Tenacious D music. Apparently, according to an interview with Dio in 2005, during filming of this music video, Ronnie James Dio became friends with Tenacious D frontman Jack Black
, who told Dio about his plans to make a Tenacious D film and asked him to perform in the film if anything became of it. In 2005, Dio received a letter from Jack Black informing him that production of the film was starting and requested that he play himself. This film is Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. The video was directed by Bill Schacht (who has directed other videos for Alice Cooper, Amon Amarth, Sister Sin, Yngwie Malmsteen, Saxon, etc.) for Aestheticom. The video was listed as #54 most metal moment of all time on a Top Metal Moments of all time Vh1 ran, hosted by Ed Trunk.
Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial...
ninth studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
. It was released May 21, 2002 through Spitfire Records
Spitfire Records
Spitfire Records was a subdivision of Eagle Rock Entertainment located in New York, United States.In September 1998, Paul Bibeau founded, launched and rapidly developed Spitfire Records Inc. from a two-man operation located in his home bedroom in suburban Long Island, New York, to one of the...
and was produced by frontman Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio
Ronald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
. A re-release in 2007 puts Killing the Dragon together with Magica.
In an interview on Uranium
Uranium (TV series)
Uranium is an American television program about heavy metal which aired on Fuse TV in the early 2000s. After establishing herself as the host of MMUSA's Tastemakers program, Juliya Chernetsky, along with network producers, created Uranium as an outlet for the broad range of heavy metal subgenres...
, Dio stated that the "dragon" of the album title refers to technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
. He expressed concern with it threatening society
Critique of technology
Critique of technology is an analysis of the negative impacts of technologies. It is argued that, in all advanced industrial societies , technology becomes a means of domination, control and exploitation, or more generally something which threatens the survival of humanity.Prominent authors...
in the future. Dio elaborated that the title track refers to "those who perpetrate injustices and what the world is doing to stop them. In fantasy tales, dragons were notorious for stealing children and feeding them to their babies. During the first part of the song, I sing 'Someone has taken a child.' The second part is about a cruel feudal lord. The third part is about 'electronic serfdom.'" He also expressed belief that the computer has become a god in modern society. "It is a small god with an electrical heart. . . It is time to rebel against it."
Killing the Dragon introduces guitarist Doug Aldrich
Doug Aldrich
Doug Aldrich , is a Los Angeles-based hard rock guitarist, since 2003 a member of Whitesnake. He founded the band Burning Rain with Keith St.John in 1998 and has played previously with the bands Dio, Lion, Hurricane, House of Lords, and Bad Moon Rising...
to the band. He had previously performed with Burning Rain
Burning Rain
Burning Rain is a band formed by guitarist Doug Aldrich and singer Keith St. John in 1998. Joining the group were drummer Alex Makarovich and Ian Mayo on bass...
and subsequently went on to join the band Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...
. Previous guitarist, Craig Goldy
Craig Goldy
Craig Goldy is an American guitarist, mostly notably of the band Dio.Before Dio, he played in the bands Vengeance, Rough Cutt, and Giuffria. He replaced Jake E. Lee in Rough Cutt and was himself replaced by Amir Derakh in this group. Prior to joining Rough Cutt, he had played in the band Vengeance...
, co-wrote some of the songs before leaving the band. He returned for 2004's Master of the Moon
Master of the Moon
Master of the Moon is Dio's tenth and final studio album. The album was released on September 7, 2004 in America through Sanctuary Records and August 30, 2004 in Europe through SPV Records....
.
The song "Push" was a hit and had a music video that featured Tenacious D
Tenacious D
Tenacious D is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Black and lead guitarist and vocalist Kyle Gass, the band has released two albums – Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny...
performing a humorous cover of Ronnie James Dio's biggest song from his time with Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, "Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath song)
"Heaven and Hell" is the title track to Black Sabbath's ninth studio album, Heaven and Hell. It was written mainly by Tony Iommi, but as with almost all Black Sabbath albums, credit is given to the entire band. The lyrics were written entirely by then-newcomer Ronnie James Dio...
". Dio approaches them to tell them that he will pay them to play Tenacious D music. Apparently, according to an interview with Dio in 2005, during filming of this music video, Ronnie James Dio became friends with Tenacious D frontman Jack Black
Jack Black
Jack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
, who told Dio about his plans to make a Tenacious D film and asked him to perform in the film if anything became of it. In 2005, Dio received a letter from Jack Black informing him that production of the film was starting and requested that he play himself. This film is Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. The video was directed by Bill Schacht (who has directed other videos for Alice Cooper, Amon Amarth, Sister Sin, Yngwie Malmsteen, Saxon, etc.) for Aestheticom. The video was listed as #54 most metal moment of all time on a Top Metal Moments of all time Vh1 ran, hosted by Ed Trunk.
Track listing
- All lyrics and melodies by Ronnie James DioRonnie James DioRonald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
- "Killing the Dragon" (Dio, Jimmy BainJimmy BainJames Stewart 'Jimmy' Bain is a Scottish bassist most famous for playing in the bands Rainbow and Dio with Ronnie James Dio. He has worked with Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, co-writing on his solo albums....
) – 4:25 - "Along Comes a Spider" (Dio, Doug AldrichDoug AldrichDoug Aldrich , is a Los Angeles-based hard rock guitarist, since 2003 a member of Whitesnake. He founded the band Burning Rain with Keith St.John in 1998 and has played previously with the bands Dio, Lion, Hurricane, House of Lords, and Bad Moon Rising...
, Bain) – 3:32 - "Scream" (Dio, Aldrich, Bain) – 5:02
- "Better in the Dark" (Dio, Bain) – 3:43
- "Rock & Roll" (Dio, Bain, Craig GoldyCraig GoldyCraig Goldy is an American guitarist, mostly notably of the band Dio.Before Dio, he played in the bands Vengeance, Rough Cutt, and Giuffria. He replaced Jake E. Lee in Rough Cutt and was himself replaced by Amir Derakh in this group. Prior to joining Rough Cutt, he had played in the band Vengeance...
) – 6:11 - "Push" (Dio, Bain, Goldy) – 4:08
- "Guilty" (Dio, Bain) – 4:25
- "Throw Away The Children" (Dio, Goldy) – 5:35
- "Before the Fall" (Dio, Bain) – 3:48
- "Cold Feet" (Dio, Bain) – 4:11
Bonus tracks
The "Limited Tour Edition" came in a slipcase with poster and added two bonus tracks :- "Fever Dreams (Live)" (Dio)
- "Rainbow in the DarkRainbow in the Dark"Rainbow in the Dark" was the second single released by heavy metal band Dio, taken from their 1983 album, Holy Diver. It was numbered 13 on VH1's "Top 40 Greatest Metal Songs."...
(Live)" (Dio, Vivian CampbellVivian CampbellVivian Patrick Campbell is a Northern Irish rock guitarist who is a member of Def Leppard and was, from May 2010 to November 2011, a member of Thin Lizzy. Prior to joining Def Leppard in April 1992, he had been a member of Whitesnake, Sweet Savage, Trinity, Riverdogs, and Shadow King...
, Bain, Vinny AppiceVinny AppiceVincent Samson Appice , also known as Vinny Appice is a rock drummer of American Italian descent and the younger brother of drummer Carmine Appice...
)
- These bonus tracks are Ronnie James Dio performing live with Deep PurpleDeep PurpleDeep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
and first appeared on Deep Purple's 2001 album Live at the Rotterdam AhoyLive at the Rotterdam AhoyLive at the Rotterdam Ahoy is a live album recorded by Deep Purple on the 30th of October 2000 and released in 2001. It includes most of a concert performed in Rotterdam, Holland during the 2000/2001 "Concerto Tour". The Concerto for Group and Orchestra itself was performed, but it does not...
.
Album chart positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Top Independent Albums Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... |
||
| 2002 | Killing the Dragon | #199 | #18 |
Credits
- Ronnie James DioRonnie James DioRonald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
– vocals - Doug AldrichDoug AldrichDoug Aldrich , is a Los Angeles-based hard rock guitarist, since 2003 a member of Whitesnake. He founded the band Burning Rain with Keith St.John in 1998 and has played previously with the bands Dio, Lion, Hurricane, House of Lords, and Bad Moon Rising...
– guitar - Jimmy BainJimmy BainJames Stewart 'Jimmy' Bain is a Scottish bassist most famous for playing in the bands Rainbow and Dio with Ronnie James Dio. He has worked with Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, co-writing on his solo albums....
– bass, keyboards - Simon Wright – drums
- Scott Warren – keyboards on "Before the Fall"
- King Harbour Children's Choir — chorus on "Throw Away Children"
- Recorded at Total Access, Redondo Beach, CaliforniaRedondo Beach, CaliforniaRedondo Beach is one of the three Beach Cities located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 66,748 at the 2010 census, up from 63,261 at the 2000 census. The city is located in the South Bay region of the greater Los Angeles area.Redondo Beach was originally part of...
, USA - Produced by Ronnie James DioRonnie James DioRonald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
- Engineered by Wyn Davis
- Assistant engineered by Brian Daugherty and Michael McMullen
- Mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Oasis Mastering
- Cover illustration by Marc Sasso