RONNIE JAMES DIO: I Support The U.S. Military In Iraq 100 Percent

Ronnie James Dio has told the Asbury Park Press that the latest DIO album, "Master of the Moon", was originally devised as a sequel to the 2000 release, the concept album "Magica". Alas, Dio felt he didn't have enough time to properly continue "Magica"'s dense story line.

Recalls the New York native, 64: "We had to change in mid-stream, so I think some of that unconscious effort going toward 'Magica' colored this album.

"Another thing that happened, of course — and still is happening — is the terrorism situation, the war in Iraq, thousands of people dying in Africa and just all the horrible things going on. These also colored what I was going to write.

"This album is quite a bit more cynical and paranoid than my albums have been in the past. The world is a very paranoid place."

While writing "Master of the Moon", Dio says he couldn't help but weave contemporary themes into the songs.

The song titled "The Man Who Would Be King", for example, was originally about the Crusades.

"I wanted to write about Richard the Lion-Hearted and his knights," Dio says.

"But when I sat down to put pen to paper, I realized the incredible correlation between George W. Bush and Richard the Lion-Hearted, both sending soldiers to the Middle East.

"I wrote it from the soldiers' perspective, about how they felt about what they were doing. Because I think most soldiers, in the beginning, certainly believe what they're told — that you're doing this for the good of your country and your family. I think it's a very noble thing.

"But as soon as the body bags start to pile up and you see your buddies dying, and mothers and fathers are crying over lost sons and daughters, I think it really changes. So in that song, the soldiers were questioning the person who sent them there."

Dio's lyrical content may sound political, but the singer insists he is not taking sides.

"I felt a need to write it that way," he says.

"It's not meant to be a political statement. I'm not a political person. I think musicians should be musicians.

"I support (the U.S. military in Iraq) 100 percent. It's nothing to do with the soldiers. I think so many times, it's to do with the judgment of the people who sent them there." Read more.