"Electra"
Single by Dio
Released2010
Recorded2009
Office Studios, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.
GenreHeavy metal
Length6:26
LabelArmoury Records
Songwriter(s)Ronnie James Dio
Producer(s)Ronnie James Dio
Dio singles chronology
"Hey Angel"
(1990)		 "Electra"
(2010)

"Electra" (also spelled as "Elektra") is the twelfth and final single by heavy metal band Dio. It was released with the band's "Tournado Box Set" in early 2010,[1] before Ronnie James Dio's death on May 16, 2010.[2] It was the last song recorded by the band before that date as well.[3]

The song would later see wider release as part of the posthumous compilation The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2 in 2012, and on the deluxe edition of Magica in 2013.[4]

Background

In an interview with Hit the Lights series creator Robert Gray, Dio was asked about the Magica II & III album, which Dio responded: "[...]I've been doing a lot of work on the [new] 'Magica' album. I believe we'll release one of the songs from 'Magica' that I decided to put together, so that whatever package we happen to hand to the people when we're out there, it's a lot more attractive with one thing they've never heard before. I guess you could call it a teaser. It's a really good song [called "Electra"], and part of the whole 'Magica' trilogy. It's sometimes hard for it to stand alone, but I did write an explanation of what it was about, and what the song is about, and that it's just a brief glimpse into what will be 'Magica' again. There's some plans to do that – there are some special plans."[5]

The song was originally going to debut during the band's European tour,[6] but the tour was eventually canceled, due to Ronnie James Dio's diagnosis of stomach cancer.[7] "Electra" is the only song so far that has been released from the unfinished albums Magica II & III.[8]

Reception

Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound praised the song, stating that "Dio takes things to a whole new level. There’s a freshness and an excitement to the track. And while you can vaguely tell Dio is up in there in years, it gives the vocals a kind of story to them, a feeling of some noble metal statesman once more addressing his kingdom."[9]

Personnel

Additional personnel

  • Wyn Davis – engineer
  • Brett Chassen – assistant engineer
  • Adam Arnold – assistant engineer

References

  1. ↑ "DIO: 'Tournado' Box Set Available". Archived from the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Legendary Heavy Metal Vocalist RONNIE JAMES DIO Dies". Archived from the original on August 12, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Final Ronnie James Dio Track Online". Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  4. ↑ "DIO's 'Magica' to Get Deluxe CD Treatment". 15 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Ronnie James Dio – Heaven & Hell / Dio To Release Further Studio Albums?". Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  6. ↑ "DIO To Play New Song On European Tour". Archived from the original on October 28, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  7. ↑ "RONNIE JAMES DIO Diagnosed With Stomach Cancer". Archived from the original on November 28, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Listen To DIO's Newest Song: "Electra"". Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Check Out: Ronnie James Dio's posthumous release "Elektra"". Retrieved May 23, 2010.
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