Flying A Rainbow Demon with Lady Evil Across Heaven & Hell

Ronnie James Dio rocks.

I mean, for a lot o folks this is old news, but I just keep having my eyes opened wider and wider as I hear more of his music.

For whatever reason, I just never got into Dio that much as a youth. I mean, I'm an elitist snob anyway, and I got brought into the Sabbath fold through Ozzy and why would I ever give a rip about who came after the Great Beast went solo? And Holy Diver? The only song I was ever exposed to was the title track and it just never did anything for me.

But man, I am quickly seeing the error of my ways. Sure, Tenacious D sang about Dio's glory and there was the Ronnie James Dio for President campaign...but can you really take that kind of thing seriously? Can you listen with a non-judgmental ear to a guy singing about Rainbows in the Dark? What the hell does that mean anyway?

Turns out, it doesn't really have to mean anything to be great music. This is something I should have already known (there are plenty o great songs out there with lyrics that are more than a little obscure). But there is artistry in the way words are woven together anyway. Hell, I think those of us who appreciate Gygax's prose can all agree to that!

So when you give Mr. Dio a listen and just let the wall of sound kick your ass...it's pretty close to a transcendental experience. And word on the street is the guy's even better live. Not bad for guy that's over 60 years old and nicknamed "The Troll."

I know I've been converted...I've been listening to Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell, nearly non-stop the last two-three days, and it hasn't got old yet. Heck, it's pretty damn inspiring and NOT just from a musical point o view.

The other day, I wrote that there are some bands out there weird enough or conceptual enough that could be singing about RPGs or could be the inspiration for 'em (perhaps I didn't say that outright, but that's what I was thinking). Dio has got be chalked up in that category, and not just because his original band was called Elf or because he has a penchant for singing of "Dragons and Kings" (hell, I could rip off half the lines from H&H and convert them to titles of new Magic the Gathering cards...call it the Heaven & Hell deck..."whoop! Here comes my 5/5 Neon Knights!"). The music itself is just so damn menacing, while still being lyrical, rhythmic, and catchy...I don't know what it is, but it feels like old school AD&D to me. It conjures feelings (not emotions...it's more tactile, less intellectual than that) that are very similar to the ones I get from my reminiscences about the"good ol' days." And I have no idea why...certainly I wasn't listening to Sabbath back then.

Though now I wish I had been!

Anyway, Kris and I were talking (we are totally on the same page with regard to Dio, though he's been a fan since the 80's, dammit!) and the Doc and I have decided we need to write a module that draws its theme and inspiration from Dio's lyrics. Right now, I'm leaning towards a B/X Companion-level module straight called Neon Knights, but maybe it will be more akin to the Children of the Sea track from the H&H album. Either way, I'm pretty excited.

Oh...and the Doc is currently drawing up the maps for our other adventure, so hopefully things will be coming together soon.

: )

Peace, folks...I'll try to write more tomorrow but the week has been crazy-busy!