DIO Confirm Plans to Begin Work On New Album, Tour South America - Dec. 29, 2005

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on Nov. 29, the official Ronnie James Dio web site has now confirmed that DIO will be working on a new album in January/February and going back on the road sometime in March for an extended South American tour. The band will resume work on the new CD in April/May, with plans to complete the album by the end of the year. The band's management has also confirmed that DIO will be making several European festival appearances during June, July and August. No U.S. tour plans for 2006 have yet been announced.

The current DIO touring lineup includes guitarist Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE), who has been filling in for an injured Craig Goldy since early October. Craig was previously said to have hurt his arm while touring Russia and was trying to continue to play the shows on painkillers, but was eventually forced to leave the trek.

Aldrich's sole studio recording with DIO came in the shape of 2002's "Killing the Dragon", after which he toured with the group before leaving to join the touring lineup of WHITESNAKE.

In other news, Ronnie James Dio's film debut in the shape of a cameo in the forthcoming movie "Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny" is tentatively expected in the theaters in March. The film is being directed by Liam Lynch, who also directed the video for TENACIOUS D's "Tribute" and the clips shown at the D's concerts ("Butt Baby", "JB's BJ", and "Rock Star Sperm Bank"). The film is being produced by TENACIOUS D star Jack Black's longtime colaborator Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films and Working Title Films, which produced "High Fidelity".

Dio has been tapped to play the role of "Dr. X" on QUEENSRŸCHE's sequel to their platinum 1988 concept album, "Operation: Mindcrime", entitled "Operation: Mindcrime II". The CD is scheduled for release on March 14, 2006 via Rhino Entertainment.

DIO: In Writing Mode - Mar. 10, 2006

Ronnie James Dio's (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) official web site has been updated with the following message:

"Ronnie and company are busy writing a new [DIO] studio record to be released later this year. Touring is expected to gear up in May with a South American jaunt, followed by a European tour commencing May 27 in Belgium. Dates will be announced as soon as they are confirmed, so keep watching the tour page for details."

As previously reported, Eagle Rock Entertainment has set an April 18 North American release date for DIO's "Holy Diver Live" CD (one day earlier internationally). Captured live in 2005 in front of a sold-out London crowd, "Holy Diver Live" sees Ronnie James Dio delivering a truly memorable performance on this truly memorable night. Dio has been hailed as one of the finest voices in heavy metal for over 30 years now and for good reason. Due to his stints in RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH and as a solo artist, Dio is one of the few people in the history of music that can honestly say they have played on three classic albums, each under a different moniker. "Holy Diver Live" features the classic "Holy Diver" album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live for the very first time. It also features, among others, "Heaven & Hell", "Sign of the Southern Cross" and "Mob Rules" from his BLACK SABBATH days, "Tarot Woman", "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" from the RAINBOW era and "We Rock" from his solo career.

To view the complete track listing, click here.