“The Last in Line” is Dio’s second album, which came out in 1984, about a year after the hugely successful “Holy Diver”. The expectations were very high, and the record didn’t disappoint: it didn’t reach its predecessor, but it was considered a worthy successor and an excellent classic heavy metal album.
Compared to “Holy Diver“, the sound here is softer and more polished. The guitars aren’t as aggressive, but the harmonies remain impressive and Ronnie James Dio’s voice is as powerful as ever. One gain of the cleaner production is that the bass sounds better: the slow lines on “One Night in the City”, the strong bass on “Eat Your Heart Out” and “Mystery” give the songs depth.
The title track “The Last in Line” is the track that stands out, with Dio’s voice soaring high. “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” has some of the record’s finest riffs, while overall the songwriting is simpler than the first album: some songs keep circling around their chorus. Even so, critics rated it 4 out of 5 from Sputnikmusic.
Dio’s voice is the big asset: powerful, dramatic and full of character, it carries the whole record on its back. The solos have a blues feel and are technically flawless, while the drums keep a steady rhythm on the slower tracks. “The Last in Line” showed that Dio were here to stay, and it remains one of the band’s fans’ most beloved records.
See also: Dio – Holy Diver and “Ride The Rainbow”: The new tribute to Ritchie Blackmore
