Good evening! The Meista here with another pairing for you tonight... how 'bout some Dio? I'm going with Dio's 10th and final studio album from 2004, "Master Of The Moon." Accompanying this wonderful album will be a frosty Delirium Tremens Belgian Ale from Brouwerij Huyghe.
"Master Of The Moon" marked the return of guitarist Craig Goldy who had left the band after the release of 2000's "Magica." Jeff Pilson of Dokken fame would join as bass player along with backbone musicians Simon Wright on drums and Scott Warren on keyboards... and of course, the wonderfully powerful vocals of the late Ronnie James Dio. Highly underrated in my opinion, "Master Of The Moon" is a complex, well-balanced work of art. This may be one of my all time favorite Dio albums. It opens with the heavy, fast-paced rocker, "One More For The Road" then moves into the somewhat Dio-era Sabbath-esque title track. No fillers here, "The End Of The World," "Shivers," "The Eyes," "Living The Lie," and "Death By Love" are all heavy rockers with the trademark depth and lyrical beauty of Dio's songwriting. Goldy's guitar work is soaring perfection... just listen to the solo on "Death By Love" or on "I Am." Hell, listen to the solo work on each and every song on this album! "The Man Who Would Be King" has an almost Procol Harum feel with wonderful harmonies, haunting organ and keyboards, heart-stopping guitars, and thunderous drums. Simon Wright's drum work throughout the album is fantastic... I'm reminded of the work of the late Cozy Powell. And I've always felt that Scott Warren is the quiet genius that helps drive the overall sound and feel of Dio since he joined the band in 1993. This album is so good on so many levels! It is very modern yet there are reminders of Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and early Dio records. The album ends with the wonderful finale, "In Dreams," a song that seems to transcend eras and states of consciousness. If you are a Dio fan or a metal fan in general and you don't own "Master Of The Moon," get in touch with my friend Kevin at the Heavy Metal Shop (www.heavymetalshop.com) right now and order it!!
I paired the Delirium Tremens Belgian Ale with "Master Of The Moon" because of the complexity of flavors, but also because it is a tasty and smooth ale that goes down easy... keeping your attention where it should be... on DIO! (And I think Murray likes pink elephants too!) Marked by a distinct white bottle and the odd label picturing pink elephants and dancing alligators, the Delirium Tremens is a refreshing and well-balanced golden ale. It pours a beautiful golden rod with a foamy, white, 2-finger head with good, sustained lacing. The aroma is wheaty and full of ester goodness - notes of white grape, apple, and banana. Highly carbonated, the Delirium Tremens is incredibly refreshing and very drinkable. It has a light mouthfeel with lots of effervescent bubbles that seem multiply in your mouth. There is an abundance of sweet and fruity esters: sour apple, white grape, pineapple, and banana coupled with some real nice and subtle spice: clove, nutmeg, and slight pepperiness in the back. The Delirium Tremens has a nice, clean finish as well. Probably one to be a bit careful with though as it comes in at a very deceptive and sneaky 8.5% ABV.
Rest in peace Ronnie James! You are deeply missed!
Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment