Alright... another kick-ass and rockin' pairing coming your way! The Meista here with the great combo of Dio's "The Last In Line" and a Gordon Biersch WinterBock Bavarian-Style Dark Double Bock Lager!
Released on July 13th, 1984, "The Last In Line" is the second album by American heavy metal act Dio, a fantastic sophomore album and follow up to "Holy Diver"! Named for their frontman and vocalist, the late, great Ronnie James Dio, Dio was made up of these amazing talented musicians: Vivian Campbell (guitars), Jimmy Bain (bass), Claude Schnell (keyboards), and Vinny Appice (drums/percussion)! One of my all-time favorite albums, "The Last In Line" is pure metal genius from the opening note of "We Rock" to the closing passage of the finale "Egypt (The Chains Are On)". Ronnie James' voice is (as it always was) perfection! His range is powerful and deep, which is wonderfully matched by Campbell's richly textured guitar work, Bain's booming bass work, Schnell's soaring keys, and the fantastic drumming acrobatics of Appice! Each song is a metal masterpiece... seriously! Just listen to the title track alone... genius!! And I love the nod to Rainbow's "Stargazer" and "Rainbow Eyes" on "Egypt (The Chains Are On)"! (Interesting note: the album cover depicts resurrected souls emerging from their graves on Judgment Day, expecting to see god, only to be faced by a giant depiction of Murray, Dio's demonic-looking mascot.)
The Gordon Biersch WinterBock Bavarian-Style Dark Double Bock Lager from Gordon Biersch Brewery is a malty and rich Dopplebock. As you may remember from previous postings on this page, Dopplebocks are full-bodied, stronger Bocks that are sometime referred to as "a meal in a glass" due to their depth and heartiness. Dating back to the 11th century, these ales were originally brewed with strong, dark roasted malts by fasting Bavarian monks to help them get through the cold winter months. Sounds like a great companion to the metal onslaught of "The Last In Line" to me! The WinterBock pours an almost opaque mahogany with a half-finger, frothy beige head that dissipates fairly quickly leaving only a slight residual head. The nose is a big, sweet infusion of dark fruits, toffee, and hearty bread aromas. There are notes of raisin bread, burnt toffee, and dates. The flavor follows suit... big roasted malt flavors followed by sweeter dark fruit notes and cocoa. The 7.5% ABV is well-hidden by those dark roasted and sweeter flavors of the WinterBock. Low in carbonation and sticky smooth, the WinterBock goes down easy with just a slight bitterness in the finish... a very good, very hearty, and very solid brew that works great with the depth and richness of "The Last In Line"!!
Raise those horns for Ronnie James Dio!! Hails and cheers!!
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