Here’s a sneak peek of season six of “That Metal Show” which premieres on VH1 Classic Saturday, October 16 at 11 pm ET/PT. The first episode will feature a special tribute to the great Ronnie James Dio.

That Metal Show Season 6 – Sneak Peek:

KnuckleBonz Unveils a Ronnie James Dio Limited Edition Collectible!
A Portion of all Proceeds at KnuckleBonz.com will be Donated to the ‘Stand Up and Shout’ Cancer Fund Created in Honor of Ronnie James Dio

October 14, 2010:  KnuckleBonz is excited to announce its production of the Ronnie James Dio Rock Iconz® statue.
This is a limited edition statue with only 3000 created, making these highly collectible. Each figure in the edition is hand-painted, numbered and includes a certificate of authenticity.
This is an officially licensed product, approved and endorsed by Wendy Dio and Niji Entertainment. Wendy Dio remarked about the project, “Ronnie would be very proud.”  KnuckleBonz is honored to be creating a tribute piece of Ronnie James Dio, widely recognized as one of the most powerful singers in all of heavy metal.

A portion of all sales from www.knucklebonz.com will be donated to the “Stand Up and Shout” Cancer Fund created in honor of Ronnie James Dio.

The Ronnie James Dio Rock Iconz Statue:  The sculpture of Dio is displayed with his signature devil horns and iconic crouched stance. This is a hand-crafted statue. Every piece is painted by hand and numbered. A certificate of authenticity is included on the base of each statue. The statue is approximately 8” hiqh and stands on an attractive wooden display base. The Ronnie James Dio limited edition statue will be available December 2010. Pre-orders are available at  HYPERLINK “http://www.knucklebonz.com” www.knucklebonz.com.

“We learned that Ronnie wanted to work on a statue project before he fell ill. We are honored that Wendy Dio and his management called on us for this project,” remarks Tony Simerman, President and Creative Director of KnuckleBonz, Inc.  “It’s been a real pleasure to work with Ronnie’s family and the people at Niji on this project. I was a fan of Ronnie’s very early and owned all the original Rainbow records. I was fortunate enough to see him out in front of Sabbath. RJD was one of the greatest live performers I have ever seen,” adds Simerman.

KnuckleBonz creates hi-end sculpture that features rock’s most highly influential artists. Dedicated to honoring rocks greatest through master artistry, KnuckleBonz has established the music-based sculpture series: Rock Iconz.

Pricing and Availability:
The Ronnie James Dio Rock Iconz Statue is scheduled to ship December 2010 and will be available at www.knucklebonz.com and through select retailers worldwide. This is a limited edition statue created by KnuckleBonz; only 3000 will be created.  This collectible is created at 1/9 scale, making the figure approximately 8” tall on top of a wooden display base. The Ronnie James Dio Rock Iconz statue can be reserved by pre-ordering at www.knucklebonz.com.

2010 will go down as the year that we lost one of hard rock/heavy metal’s all-time great vocalists, Ronnie James Dio (after a valiant battle with cancer).  Throughout a career that saw Ronnie pen or co-pen classics with such legendary acts as Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and with his solo group, Dio, there are simply not enough words to describe the singer’s contribution to rock music worldwide.  Niji Entertainment Group Inc. has announced the opening of www.officialronniejamesdiowebstore.com.  Dio fans around the world will now be able to purchase official tour shirts, jackets, hats, CD’s, DVD’s, blu-rays, vinyl and box sets from Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio on the web store.  There will be many cool new Dio items recently designed that will be MUST HAVES for your collections! The web store also offers all the official Heaven & Hell items including shirts, CD’s, DVD’s and vinyl.

Dean Schachtel, General Manager for Niji Entertainment Group, commented ‘Fans were having a hard time finding product in stores. They can now have a one stop shop at our web store and purchase their favorite Dio collectables and memorabilia at fair prices.’  The web store also offers worldwide shipping which is certain to please Dio’s large and loyal fan base. Selected official Dio t-shirts will be available for purchase as well.  This week features an official 1985 Sacred Heart t-shirt. Each week thereafter, a different one will be available, eventually including classic tour t-shirts.

To celebrate the life of the man that has become synonymous with metal, the double disc set, ‘Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987′ will be released on November 9th, 2010.  This item is available for pre-order for only $15.98, and as an added bonus until November 5th, 2010, includes an original stick on backstage pass.  The first disc was recorded at the first-ever UK performance by Dio’s solo group, while on tour supporting their classic debut, ‘Holy Diver.’ And the set-list does a superb job reflecting Dio’s debut (featuring such classics as “Rainbow in the Dark,” “Stand Up And Shout,” etc.), as well as classics from both Rainbow and Black Sabbath (“Man on the Silver Mountain,” “Heaven and Hell,” etc.) – resulting in a thorough retrospective of Dio’s career, from Rainbow to Black Sabbath to solo hits.  The second disc of ‘Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987′ features guitarist Craig Goldy’s debut – recorded in 1987, in support of the ‘Dream Evil’ album, and contains high
lights from Dio’s career.  ‘Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987′ will be the very first release from the Niji Entertainment Group (which was formed by Ronnie James Dio and his wife/manager, Wendy Dio, in early 2010).  The set will be released as a deluxe digipak including a booklet filled with rare photographs and liner notes, and original replica all access laminates from both shows.  Ronnie was the executive producer on the Donington project, and was very much looking forward to the release.

One of the brand new exclusive collectable pieces available on the Dio web store is an autographed limited edition baseball, presented in a display case (only two thousand were produced).  Each piece is numbered, and features Ronnie’s DIO logo and autograph. It was well-known to many Dio fans that Ronnie loved baseball, and it was his dream to play in the major leagues. He was once quoted saying he would trade in his rockstar career for one playing with the Yankees!

The Niji Entertainment Group is a full service record label, and will be releasing rare and unreleased recordings from Dio and other artists.  November 23rd will see two additional releases from the Niji Entertainment Group – a deluxe limited edition picture disc of Dio’s classic solo debut, ‘Holy Diver,’ and ‘Bitten By The Beast’ from David “Rock” Feinstein.  “Rock” is Ronnie’s cousin, and was a member of Elf, and the leader of the legendary NY band The Rods. ‘Bitten By The Beast,’ features the single “Metal Will Never Die,” with lead vocals by Ronnie James Dio. This single will be heavily worked to active rock and metal radio this fall.

Between Facebook, Myspace and Twitter, the Dio social media followers now numbers over one million.

While Ronnie was alive, he always wanted to have his own action figure/statue.  And now, this has become a reality – KnuckleBonz has created the Ronnie James Dio rock iconz statue, which will be available in late fall 2010.  These statues are only produced in limited edition runs of 3000, which make them highly collectible and sought after from fans.  A portion from the sales of the Dio statue will go to the Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, in honor of Ronnie James Dio.  Preorders available by visiting www. knucklebonz.com.

For more information, please go to:
www.officialronniejamesdiowebstore.com
www.ronniejamesdio.com
www.facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio
www.myspace.com/dioofficial

Interview Conducted By Robert Williams

Videography Courtesy Of Sandra Torres 

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VINNY APPICE

Vinny Appice, having got an early introduction to drumming from his big brother Carmine Appice [ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, CACTUS, VANILLA FUDGE], first rose to fame in 1976 in DERRINGER, alongside Rick Derringer, Kenny Aaronson and Danny Johnson. Together they toured and released two studio albums (DERRINGER in 1976 and SWEET EVIL in 1977) and, to cap things off, a live record (LIVE in 1977). Now, after thirty years, the classic lineup of the band (that was only ever together for less than two years to begin with) has been resurrected for some very special appearances around the world. In the interim, like the other members of DERRINGER, Vinny Appice has gone on to achieve even bigger success in various forms. In 1978 he released an album (IT’S A CIRCUS WORLD) with AXIS, before facing the formidable task of filling Bill Ward’s boots, in BLACK SABBATH, for the remainder of the HEAVEN AND HELL tour. He then went on to record the now legendary MOB RULES album with them, as well as the double live record, LIVE EVIL. After Ronnie James Dio’s first reign at the helm of BLACK SABBATH came to an end, Vinny chose to accompany him in forming a brand new band, DIO. Together they went on to record multiple gold (SACRET HEART in 1985) and platinum (HOLY DIVER in 1983 and LAST IN LINE in 1984) selling albums. Finally in 1992 Vinny and Ronnie rejoined BLACK SABBATH for the DEHUMANIZER record and ensuing tour. After the Costa Mesa debacle, Vinny joined Ronnie for another couple of DIO records, before, in the late ’90s, jumping ship again to fill in for ailing Bill Ward on BLACK SABBATH’s "Reunion" tour. More recently Vinny has, among other things, put out an excellent record (FROZEN SUMMER) with his band, 3 LEGGED DOGG, featuring Jimmy Bain (ex-RAINBOW, ex-DIO), Carlos Cavazo (ex-QUIET RIOT), Chas West (ex-BONHAM) and Brian Young. All of this, of course, before once again being called to duty with HEAVEN & HELL to record three new songs for the BLACK SABBATH compilation album (THE DIO YEARS) and a subsequent tour. Now, with a phenomenal tour and a gold selling live release ("LIVE FROM RADIO MUSIC CITY HALL in 2007) to show for it, it’s almost time for another studio album.

We caught up with Vinny after he had just finished a killer show with DERRINGER at the prestigious Sweden Rock Festival (which last year he played with HEAVEN & HELL). Rock ‘n’ Roll!

INTERVIEW BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ AND JARNO HUOVILA

PICTURES BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ AND ARCHIVES

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Dio – Headline

Holy Diver Europe Tour 2008

Fatal Smile – Support

Kulturbolaget

Malmoe

Sweden

2/6 – 2008

Reviewed by: Anders Sandvall

Pictures by: Anders Sandvall

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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Red Robinson Theatre

Coquitlam, BC  Canada

***Live Review & All Photos By Lord of The Wasteland

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JEFF PILSON

INTERVIEW BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ AND JARNO HUOVILA

LIVE PICTURES BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ

Jeff Pilson, having replaced Juan Croucier in the ranks of DOKKEN after the recording of their debut album BREAKING THE CHAINS in 1983, will always be best remembered as an irreplaceable part of the band’s classic lineup, together with Don Dokken, George Lynch and Mick Brown. Infused with his songwriting talent and stage presence DOKKEN began their ascent towards the top of the rock world. Over the next couple of years they released a string of platinum selling albums, TOOTH AND NAIL in 1984, UNDER LOCK AND KEY the following year and finally BACK FOR THE ATTACK in 1987. At the height of their success, however, the band split up due to internal struggles, while still putting out the live album BEAST FROM THE EAST in 1988. A reunion of the classic lineup finally took place in 1994 and resulted in two albums, DYSFUNCTIONAL and SHADOWLIFE. After George Lynch’s final exit, Jeff stuck around for one more album, ERASE THE SLATE, before opting to follow suit. In addition to DOKKEN, Jeff has toured and recorded three studio albums with DIO: STRANGE HIGHWAYS in 1993, ANGRY MACHINES in 1996 and most recently MASTER OF THE MOON in 2004. He has also cut albums together with THE MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP, LYNCH/PILSON, WAR & PEACE and FOREIGNER to mention a few. In 2001 he appeared and recorded as a member of the fictional heavy metal band STEEL DRAGON in the movie ROCKSTAR. In this interview Jeff Pilson shares the ups and downs of his career with these groups and more…

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Vinny Appice from Heaven and Hell

Written by Simon Lukic
Transcribed by Mike ‘Fucking Hostile’ Holmes
All Live Pics By Lord of the Wasteland

What more can one say about the reunion of Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Vinnie Appice that hasn’t already been said? How about magical, awe inspiring and exceptional? Whatever the adjective, it’s safe to say that it has been a welcomed return – one that is worthy of much praise. I was fortunate enough to speak to drum legend Vinny Appice during their Australian tour this year and here is the conversation.

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Report and pics by Luxi Lahtinen & Niko Karppinen

Sauna Open Air Metal Festival 2007 entertained approximately 22,000 metal warriors within 3 hot and sunny days. Almost 10,000 people appeared on Saturday, 8th of June, which was undoubtedly the biggest day of the festival thanks to both Dimmu Borgir´s and Type O Negative´s attendance. The Sauna Open Air Metal Festival opened its gates for metalheads for the 4th time in the whole history of this well-organized festival. The settings were probably the best so far for a great, all-aged, metallic event. At least the four main headlining acts that were booked to Sauna 2007 – Megadeth, Dimmu Borgir, Type O Negative and Heaven & Hell – placed four unbeatable aces on the table. It seemed that the impossible had a splendid chance to become possible… and that´s – what I believe, happened eventually.

Two curiosities – and let’s even say, somewhat relatively experienced reporters from Metal-Rules.com – crept through the gates of Sauna Open Air Metal Festival, and the following honest observations were made on the happenings during this metallic feast…

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Heaven and Hell

European Tour
KB-Hallen
Copenhagen
Denmark
6/6 – 2007

Reviewed by: Anders Sandvall
Pictures by: Anders Sandvall

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Heaven and Hell/Megadeth/Down
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Pacific Coliseum
Vancouver, BC  Canada

***Review and all live photos by Lord of The Wasteland

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DOUG ALDRICH

Interview and live pictures by Marko Syrjala

Transcription by Cindy Zhang

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Rowan Robertson

Interviewed by Crashtest

Rowan Robertson made a big splash on the international metal scene in the early 90s when, at the tender age of seventeen, he assumed  the lead guitar duties in the legendary Dio.  Rowan’s subsequent work on the LOCK UP THE WOLVES album was jaw-dropping and proved to the metal world that he belonged on it’s stage.  During the tour in support of that album, he again proved himself more than worthy to follow in the footsteps of Vivian Campbell and Craig Goldy.  When Ronnie James Dio rejoined Black Sabbath to record DEHUMANIZER, many in the metal community lost track of Rowan’s musical pursuits.  I had the opportunity to catch up with Rowan recently and talk to him about his new band, the Los Angeles-based band DC4. In addition to Rowan, DC4 features Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint, Odin) on lead vocals and guitars, along with brothers Matt Duncan on bass and Shawn Duncan (Odin, Bird of Prey) on drums.

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Dio
Scandinavian Tour
Amager Bio, Copenhagen, Denmark
28/8 – 2006

Review and Photos By: Anders Sandvall

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