Talk about timing, Norwegian vocalist Jorn Lande had recorded a full album of Ronnie James Dio songs simply as a thank you to the man for inspiring the younger European to take on a career as a singer (a dozen covers and the acoustic/orchestral backed original, ‘Song For Ronnie James’, which fittingly opens the disc, using familiar song titles as lyrics).

Now, with Dio’s untimely death, this collection will undoubtedly get more attention, not that Jorn asked for it. Surely he would rather the disc languish on shelves with a healthy Dio, rather than unwittingly capitalize on the demise of this hero. Lifted from all aspects of Dio’s career, the selections are not all the classics (certainly not by North American standards), although we do get ‘Stand Up And Shout’, ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’, ‘Kill The King’ and ‘Straight Through The Heart’. Of more interest are ‘Push’, a more aggressive ‘Invisible’, ‘Sunset Superman’ and ‘Lord Of The Last Day’, lesser heard songs. A big liturgical organ sound opens the plodding ‘Shame On The Night’ (which exposes Jorn’s accent, a rare occurrence in itself!). Added pre-recorded effects have been added to a few tracks, to help differentiate from the versions ingrained in most metalheads’ memories. That includes rollicking ‘Night People’. Somehow ‘Sacred Heart’ even retains an 80s (dated production) vibe. Jorn always had a great voice to hear him honoring one of (if not THE) great(est) voices in metal is a win-win scenario.