- Audio CD (23 Aug 2010)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Steamhammer
- ASIN: B000FBG0DU
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 78,211 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a gem of an album. It has a deliberately stripped down production style which is highly effective. It only works against the music on the two tracks 'Stay Out Of My Mind' and 'This Is Your Life'. The former has a brilliant middle-section which needs a stronger, lusher 'Rainbow'-type arrangement. The latter begins with a grand piano and a real sense of Dio-esque life-affirming-questioning epic. But the powerful orchestration and guitar riffs never arrive. Maybe that is part of the statement, I don't know.
Lyrically, Ronnie James Dio is the most underrated song writer on the planet. I know of no other writer who mixes such a potent blend of allegory and realism. The guy is a genius and I totally love what he does. There is deep compassion, social commentary ('Big Sister' is as vicious a swipe as you'll ever hear against the all-prevailing tyranny of the Nu Political Correctness)and biting existentialist wit in his songs, as well as a literary aesthetic. It's staring you in the eyes every time, and a lot of people just don't get it.
Some of the riffs here are deliberately mutated into '90's type grunge chords, the song 'Black' in particular (of course it was made in 1996)and it is admirable to see Dio showing how he and the band can be as experimental as the best of them. There are killer riffs on 'Institutional Man' and 'Hunter Of The Heart'.
'Angry Machines' is a great addition to the Dio canon - which one day is going to be universally recognised as one of the most vital and classic in rock history.
Lyrically, Ronnie James Dio is the most underrated song writer on the planet. I know of no other writer who mixes such a potent blend of allegory and realism. The guy is a genius and I totally love what he does. There is deep compassion, social commentary ('Big Sister' is as vicious a swipe as you'll ever hear against the all-prevailing tyranny of the Nu Political Correctness)and biting existentialist wit in his songs, as well as a literary aesthetic. It's staring you in the eyes every time, and a lot of people just don't get it.
Some of the riffs here are deliberately mutated into '90's type grunge chords, the song 'Black' in particular (of course it was made in 1996)and it is admirable to see Dio showing how he and the band can be as experimental as the best of them. There are killer riffs on 'Institutional Man' and 'Hunter Of The Heart'.
'Angry Machines' is a great addition to the Dio canon - which one day is going to be universally recognised as one of the most vital and classic in rock history.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was Dio's second album with ex-World War III guitarist Tracy G. Their first album together 'Strange Highways' was in my opinion a very strong effort which represented a newer style for Dio. This album is meant to be an extension of the style of 'Strange Highways' with an even heavier 90's attitude thrown in. Did it live up to expectations? Well sadly the answer is No; and that is a quite definite No! Unfortunately 'Angry Machines' sees Dio going industrial on us and as a result makes you wonder if this album is really him or an attempt to stop dwindling album sales by cashing in on the current metal trend. The production doesn't really help with uneven levels and a very dry mix which is particularly noticeable on the vocals.
Well generally this album is a BIG disappointment, while tracks like 'Don't Tell The Kids', 'Hunter Of The Heart' and 'Double Monday' are strong tracks in their right, its when you put them up against Dio classics like 'Don't Talk To Strangers', 'Last In Line', 'Between Two Hearts' and even 'Strange Highways' they come up short. Generally this album is messy with little or no regard for songs. I hate to slam Dio like this as I think he has released some great albums over the years and probably the best vocalist ever, but their is no getting around the fact that this album is the worst he has ever been involved with in his long career.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The title of this review refers to the bonus track only available with the japanese issue of this album. I can only hope that it is a great song because there would only be that and 'Dying in America' to pick from.
Again, as with Strange Highways, Dio seems to be in a period of musical ennui. It does happen to most bands at some point in their career, and luckily only lasted for 2 albums, but there is a noticeable lull in quality evident here. Some say it was Dio doing grunge but that is not true really. This is still the hard rock they have always peddled so efficiently but with a slower and angrier tilt than usual.
The first 4 tracks are sadly not very interesting and plod along somewhat. The 7 minute 'Stay Out of My Mind' is better insomuch as it reminds of Lock up The Wolves style prog tendencies. It's no classic but it does have an infectious chorus and a mad little break in the middle that at least jolts the listener a bit. 'Big Sister' is pretty good as well. It's standard rock with a catchy enough chorus but compared to older tracks like 'Rock N Roll Children' and 'Evil Eyes' etc it pales. After that the final 2 tracks make some effort to pull the quality together. 'Dying...' is arguably the best track on the album. It's heavy and has a great rhythm and sounds like Dio while being relatively original. It is one to revisit. The final track is notable only for it's heavy stadium/radio ballad production. Piano and strings and a crroning Dio is an interesting concept but the band do slow better on tracks like 'All the Fools Sail Away'.
A lot of below average hard rock with a couple of good tracks sprinkled therein. As mentioned earlier, this was the end of the Dio musical lull and was a difficult time for the band as well as metal and rock in general as grunge and britpop were infecting the nation at the time. What was to follow was Dio back to doing what they did best - songs about wizards and forgotten lands, with a bit of rock n roll thrown in for good measure, all tied up with a quality fantasy artwork cover.
Again, as with Strange Highways, Dio seems to be in a period of musical ennui. It does happen to most bands at some point in their career, and luckily only lasted for 2 albums, but there is a noticeable lull in quality evident here. Some say it was Dio doing grunge but that is not true really. This is still the hard rock they have always peddled so efficiently but with a slower and angrier tilt than usual.
The first 4 tracks are sadly not very interesting and plod along somewhat. The 7 minute 'Stay Out of My Mind' is better insomuch as it reminds of Lock up The Wolves style prog tendencies. It's no classic but it does have an infectious chorus and a mad little break in the middle that at least jolts the listener a bit. 'Big Sister' is pretty good as well. It's standard rock with a catchy enough chorus but compared to older tracks like 'Rock N Roll Children' and 'Evil Eyes' etc it pales. After that the final 2 tracks make some effort to pull the quality together. 'Dying...' is arguably the best track on the album. It's heavy and has a great rhythm and sounds like Dio while being relatively original. It is one to revisit. The final track is notable only for it's heavy stadium/radio ballad production. Piano and strings and a crroning Dio is an interesting concept but the band do slow better on tracks like 'All the Fools Sail Away'.
A lot of below average hard rock with a couple of good tracks sprinkled therein. As mentioned earlier, this was the end of the Dio musical lull and was a difficult time for the band as well as metal and rock in general as grunge and britpop were infecting the nation at the time. What was to follow was Dio back to doing what they did best - songs about wizards and forgotten lands, with a bit of rock n roll thrown in for good measure, all tied up with a quality fantasy artwork cover.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
dio is god!
some say this may not be the best dio album however it still is better than most others long live rock and roll!
Published 11 months ago by C. Palmer
Angry Times
Angry Machines is a total disaster of an album made during a difficult time in Dio"s life. Musically terrible and lyrically well "angry" really was the only blackspot of the... Read more
Published 18 months ago by B. Swales
It takes a few listens to get into
On first listen, Angry Machines may seem like a major disappointment, considering how fantastic Strange Highways was. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mister Smith
Deep And Brooding
Im afraid to say not a great album from Dio.Sound quality and production very good as what you would expect from Dio. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2008 by AJ
I just couldn't get into this
I have always rated Dio and have albums from Elf right through to Heaven and Hell Live - I had the pleasure of seeing them at Manchester and it just so clearly illustrated how... Read more
Published on 23 May 2008 by Mr Robert John Newton-Howes
saved by the band
If you like 'strange highways' you will like this. Angry machines has its weaknesses, mostly in the lyrics and melodies, but its strength lies in the collaboration between the... Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2004
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