Killing the Dragon Songs Ranked

Killing the Dragon is the ninth studio album by American heavy metal band Dio. It was released May 21, 2002 through Spitfire Records and was produced by frontman Ronnie James Dio. The album was reissued in 2007 in a two-CD package with Magica. It was remastered in 2019 and reissued in 2020 with updated album art and a bonus disc containing six tracks recorded live on the Killing the Dragon tour. In an interview on the TV show Uranium, Dio stated that the “dragon” of the album title refers to technology. He expressed concern with it threatening society in the future. Dio elaborated that the title track refers to “those who perpetrate injustices and what the world is doing to stop them. In fantasy tales, dragons were notorious for stealing children and feeding them to their babies. During the first part of the song, I sing ‘Someone has taken a child.’ The second part is about a cruel feudal lord. The third part is about ‘electronic serfdom.'” He also expressed belief that the computer has become a god in modern society. “It is a small god with an electrical heart (…) It is time to rebel against it.” Here are all of Killing the Dragon songs ranked.

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10. Cold Feet

“An old-fashioned rocker, brings Dio’s career full-circle with its evocation of Elf. This one reminds me of EVIL ON QUEEN ST. from LOCK UP THE WOLVES…very bluesy, jumpy..I can see RJD bouncing around on stage!!! Don’t know why this is called COLD FEET but it kicks much ass!”

9. Before the Fall

“A forceful rocker with great keyboard additions by Scott Warren. TV Crimes is the first thing that comes to mind. The hook hear is deadly and contagious! DIO sounds like the devil in this song (a good thing)!!”

8. Guilty

“The lyrics are strong and relentless, the solo really got me here, how Aldrich never stops his fingers from moving. This one reminds me of MYSTERY. Very poppish, a great compliment to PUSH. Ronnie really shines here!”

See more: Dio Albums Ranked

7. Push

“I LOVE this song!!! This sounds like SHOOT, SHOOT and JUST ANOTHER DAY and ANOTHER LIE..in other words SACRED HEARTish!!!! Very poppy and hookish…great stuff! Is a good mid-tempo heavy song and it’s the first single and promo video released for this album.”

6. Better in the Dark

“Killer opening riff . Bass and guitar are synchronized harmoniously. Very FACES AT THE WINDOW and/or OVERLOVEish. This could be right off of DREAM EVIL..”

5. Scream

“It has those breaks where Dio sings over the bass and drum only to then be followed by guitars. Great lyrics. We’ve all heard this one! Just love it and it is very simple, stright forward DIO mayhem!!”

See more: Dio Songs Ranked

4. Along Comes a Spider

“Catchy tune with powerfull guitar riffs. Its about the truly poignant lament for runaway teens. Reminds me of the songs Faces At The Window & Overlove. very straight ahead, simplistic riffage.”

3. Rock and Roll

“Beginning is like the start of the song Last IN Line, then kicks into a MAGICAish riff, the usual Heaven And Hell/Holy Diver beat…bass heavy! Melodious ballad inspired by the September 11th tragedy that is very Sabbath-like in its pacing.”

2. Killing the Dragon

“Begins with a sinister intro and quickly kicks in with a classic metal guitar riff, followed by a very strong vocal performance. Opening is very ambient HOLY DIVER(the song) like. This has a chug-chug-chug riff I love to death! Doug’s guitaring in the chorus is brilliant. Reminds me of the song Sacred Heart just with a bit more heaviness, plodding style.”

1. Throw Away Children

“A song about runaways and child abuse that includes the requisite children’s chorus. This is very epic. Drums in the beginning. Very ALL THE FOOLS SAILED AWAYish. The emotion in Ronnie’s voice comes thru crystal clear!”