Lock Up the Wolves

''Lock Up the Wolves'' is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Dio, released on May 15, 1990, through Reprise Records in North America, and through Vertigo Records elsewhere. The album displayed a complete line-up change over the previous album, '' Dream Evil'', including then 18-year-old guitarist Rowan Robertson, former AC/DC drummer Simon Wright, keyboardist Jens Johansson, and bassist Teddy Cook, who was in the band Hotshot, which morphed into Danger Danger. Rod Simpkins, from Riken and Jungle Alley, would replace Cook as bassist for several tour dates in 1990.

''Lock Up the Wolves'' would mark a drop-off in Dio's popularity, being less commercially and critically successful than the band’s previous four studio albums. Los Angeles Times stated in September 1990 that the album "died a quick death on the charts" and "half-empty houses are not uncommon" on the ongoing tour.

Background and recording

In 1987, Dio would record and release '' Dream Evil'', under Warner Bros. and Vertigo records. The album was a minor hit, reaching No. 8 in the U.K, and No. 43 in the U.S, despite selling less copies than their previous album, ''Sacred Heart''. The band would also launch a tour to support the album. Shortly thereafter, Craig Goldy, with an intent to pursue a solo project, would leave the band. As a result of this, the band would recruit 18-year-old guitarist Rowan Robertson to replace Goldy.

Later on, Appice, Bain, and Schnell would be replaced by Simon Wright, Teddy Cook, and Jens Johansson respectively. Ronnie James Dio stated that the reason for the change was that it became apparent that the former band members had "lost interest" when compared to Robertson, who was the first member of the new line-up. Robertson states that he was playing with the original band for around ten months while the album was being written, and that Jimmy Bain and Claude Schnell were replaced "along the way". Vinny Appice was in the band until two weeks before entering the studio to record the album. Appice confirms that he was there until the album was written, and left because he felt "This is not Dio" with "all these young guys in the band".

Songs

The album only had one single, “Hey Angel”, which had a music video created for it, alongside “Wild One”. Guitarist Rowan Robertson would state that two more songs were written and demoed for the album but left off at the decision of their manager Wendy Dio: "Hell Wouldn't Take Her" and "The River Between Us". The song "Evil on Queen Street" takes its title from a deli in Toronto which had a sandwich with that name—per Dio on Much Music in 1990.

Critical reception

''Lock Up the Wolves'' received generally mixed reception among critics. Writing for Allmusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the band’s status in the Metal community was “beginning to slip”, despite the band’s sound having “no apparent changes”.

Track listing

All lyrics and melodies by Ronnie James Dio, music as stated

Personnel

;Dio
* Ronnie James Dio – vocals
* Rowan Robertson – rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars
* Jens Johansson – keyboards
*Teddy Cook – bass
* Simon Wright – drums, percussion

;Production
*Executive producer – Ronnie James Dio
*Arranged by Dio
*Produced by Tony Platt and Ronnie James Dio
*Recorded by Tony Platt (at Granny's House in Reno, Nevada); assisted by Don Evans
*Mixed by Tony Platt and Nigel Green (at Battery Studios in London)
*Originally mastered by George Marino

Charts

References

External links

"Hey Angel" video clip"Wild One" video clip

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Dio (band) albums
1990 albums
Reprise Records albums
Albums produced by Tony Platt
Vertigo Records albums