DIO - Last in Line - Anglo American Heavy Metal 12" Vinyl LP Album

  "The Last in Line" is the second studio album by heavy metal band Dio, released on July 13, 1984. This web-page has hi-res photos of the album covers, record label and a detailed description.

 

Large Hires Photo

Album Description:

In 1984, the world of heavy metal was forever changed with the release of Dio's second studio album, "The Last in Line". The German edition of this iconic album, bearing the record catalog number Vertigo 822 366, became an instant classic in the hearts of metal enthusiasts across the globe. Filled with powerful performances, masterful musicianship, and captivating artwork, this LP stands as a testament to Dio's enduring legacy in the realm of heavy metal.

A Powerful Duo:

Produced by the legendary Ronnie James Dio himself, the German edition of "The Last in Line" maintained the same creative direction that made the original release such a success. With Dio's unparalleled vision and dedication to his craft, the album promised to deliver an unforgettable listening experience to fans in Germany and beyond.

The Masterful Touch:

The importance of mastering an album cannot be overstated, as it ensures the final sound quality is optimized for vinyl. For the German edition, Dio enlisted the renowned mastering engineer George Marino, who brought his expertise to the table once again. Marino's skilled touch enhanced the album's sonic depth, allowing every instrument and vocal nuance to shine through with clarity and power.

Visual Brilliance:

True to the spirit of Dio's artistry, the album cover design and artwork for the German edition were just as captivating as the original. Fans were treated to a visual feast, courtesy of the talents of the designers involved in creating the cover. The imagery perfectly complemented the album's themes and added an extra layer of mystique and intrigue.

Photographic Magic:

To capture the essence of Dio's performance and persona for the German edition, a team of skilled photographers was assembled. Their task was to immortalize the band's energy and charisma through their lenses, resulting in striking images that showcased the band in all their metal glory. These photos became an integral part of the album's presentation, resonating with fans and leaving an enduring impact.

The Maestros of Metal:

"The Last in Line" owed its legendary status not only to Dio's charismatic presence but also to the outstanding musicians who comprised the band.

Ronnie James Dio, with his powerful and emotive vocals, was the beating heart of the band. His ability to convey raw emotion and his remarkable stage presence cemented his status as one of the most iconic figures in metal history. Although no longer with us, Ronnie James Dio's influence continues to be felt throughout the genre.

Claude Schnell, the master of keyboards, added layers of grandeur and atmosphere to the band's sound. His keyboard arrangements complemented the heavy guitar riffs, creating a captivating and unique sonic experience.

Jimmy Bain, a multi-talented musician who played bass and keyboards, contributed significantly to the band's distinctive sound. His creativity and technical prowess on the bass guitar laid a solid foundation for the band's music.

Vinny Appice, the powerhouse behind the drums, provided the driving rhythm that propelled the band's songs forward with relentless energy. His precise and thunderous drumming style became a defining element of Dio's sound.

Vivian Campbell's guitar work was nothing short of extraordinary. His impressive technical skill, melodic sensibility, and fiery solos elevated the band's music to new heights, making him an indispensable part of the Dio lineup.

The Magnum Opus:

"The Last in Line" featured a collection of timeless heavy metal anthems. Tracks like the eponymous "The Last in Line" and the electrifying "We Rock" have become staples in Dio's live performances, rallying crowds with their potent energy and memorable choruses. The epic and storytelling nature of "Egypt (The Chains Are On)" showcased Dio's ability to craft immersive musical journeys.

Music Genre:

  Heavy Metal NWOBHM  
Album packaging:  This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, and photos.

Album Production information:

Produced by Ronnie James DIO

  • Ronnie James DIO – Vocals

    I clock Dio as one of those once-in-a-generation voices: pure power, crazy control, and a storyteller vibe that turns metal into a myth. I always track his timeline like chapters I keep re-reading: Elf (1967–1975) where he sharpened the blues-rock grit, Rainbow (1975–1979) where the fantasy thunder really took off, Black Sabbath (1979–1982, 1991–1992) where he helped reboot the doom machine, Dio (1982–2010) where he built his own kingdom, and Heaven & Hell (2006–2010) where the classics came roaring back live.

    Ronnie James Dio, I don’t just hear a singer here — I hear a frontman who could make a chorus feel like a battle standard and a quiet line feel like a warning whispered in a cathedral. Whether he’s riding Rainbow’s hard-rock drama, giving Black Sabbath a second life, or planting the flag with Dio, the guy’s signature is the same: huge hooks, bigger conviction, and that unmistakable “this matters” intensity. Ronnie James Dio Wiki

  • Angelo Arcuri - Producer, Sound Engineer

    Rich Markowitz - Sound Engineer

    George Marino (1947-2012) - Mastering Engineer

  • George Marino – Mastering Engineer

    When my site brain goes full 1980s metal mode, his name keeps showing up like a hidden signature in the dead wax.

    George Marino is one of those behind-the-glass legends who made heavy music feel larger than the room it was playing in. Before the mastering console became his throne, he was a Bronx guitarist doing the NYC band grind in the 1960s with groups like The Chancellors and The New Sounds Ltd. Then he went pro for real: starting at Capitol Studios in New York (1967), and eventually becoming a long-running force at Sterling Sound (from 1973 onward). For a collector like me—living in that sweet spot where 1980s heavy metal, hard rock, and a dash of prog-minded ambition collide—Marino’s credits read like a stack of essential sleeves: Holy Diver (Dio), Tooth and Nail (Dokken), Stay Hard (Raven), Master of Puppets (Metallica), Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden), Among the Living (Anthrax), Appetite for Destruction (Guns N’ Roses), Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi), and Blow Up Your Video (AC/DC). That’s the kind of resume that doesn’t just “master” records—it weaponizes them, but with taste. George Marino Wiki

  • Barry Jackson - Artwork

    Gene Kirkland - Photography

    Gene Kirkland has been taking photos for music albums covers (during the 1980s) mainly for DIO , but also for Megadeth and Sanctuary.

    Neil Zlozower - Photographer

  • Neil Zlozower – Rock Photographer

    The eye behind some of the most iconic hard rock and metal images of the ’70s and ’80s.

    Neil Zlozower is a legendary rock photographer whose raw, high-energy images helped define the hard rock and heavy metal scenes of the 1970s and 1980s. Best known for his close association with bands like Van Halen and Mötley Crüe, his photographs capture the unfiltered intensity, excess, and attitude of rock’s golden era. Decades on, his work remains a visual time capsule of loud amps and louder personalities.

  • Steve Gerdes - Album Cover Design

    Wendy Dio - Cover Concept

    Record Label & Catalognr:

      Vertigo 822 366

    Media Format:

      12" Vinyl LP Record

    Year & Country:

      1984 Made in Germany  
    Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: DIO - Last in Line
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Ronnie James Dio (1943-2010) - Vocals, Producer
    • Ronnie James DIO – Vocals

      I clock Dio as one of those once-in-a-generation voices: pure power, crazy control, and a storyteller vibe that turns metal into a myth. I always track his timeline like chapters I keep re-reading: Elf (1967–1975) where he sharpened the blues-rock grit, Rainbow (1975–1979) where the fantasy thunder really took off, Black Sabbath (1979–1982, 1991–1992) where he helped reboot the doom machine, Dio (1982–2010) where he built his own kingdom, and Heaven & Hell (2006–2010) where the classics came roaring back live.

      Ronnie James Dio, I don’t just hear a singer here — I hear a frontman who could make a chorus feel like a battle standard and a quiet line feel like a warning whispered in a cathedral. Whether he’s riding Rainbow’s hard-rock drama, giving Black Sabbath a second life, or planting the flag with Dio, the guy’s signature is the same: huge hooks, bigger conviction, and that unmistakable “this matters” intensity. Ronnie James Dio Wiki

    • Vivian Campbell - Guitars
    • Claude Schnell - Keyboards
    • Jimmy Bain (1947-2016) - Bass, Keyboards
    • Jimmy Bain – Bass

      Jimmy Bain is one of those bass players I call “quietly essential”: he doesn’t steal the spotlight, he just makes the whole thing hit harder and feel bigger. His lines have that no-nonsense weight that lets the guitars fly and the vocals preach without the bottom end turning to soup.

      Jimmy Bain, for me, is a perfect example of how a great bassist can be both glue and engine at the same time—solid timing, fat tone, and just enough bite to keep things from getting polite. Timeline-wise, I always track him from Harlot (early 1970s) into Rainbow (1975–1977), then a long stretch with Dio (1982–1989, plus later returns like 1993–1994 and 2004), with plenty of side quests in between—most famously with Vivian Campbell’s band Riverdogs (1990–1993). Jimmy Bain Wiki

    • Vinny Appice - Drums
      Vinny Appice is a powerhouse drummer known for his thunderous and precise playing. Born in 1957, he gained fame with Black Sabbath, debuting on "Heaven and Hell" alongside Ronnie James Dio. He later joined Dio’s band, contributing to iconic albums like "Holy Diver" and "The Last in Line2. His influence on heavy metal drumming remains legendary. Learn more

     

    Complete Track Listing of: DIO Last in Line

    The Song/tracks on "DIO Last in Line" are

      Side One:
    • We Rock
    • The Last in Line
    • Breathless
    • I Speed at Night
    • One Night in the City
      Side Two:
    • Evil Eyes
    • Mystery
    • Eat Your Heart Out
    • Egypt (The Chains are on)

    High Resolution Photo #1 DIO Last In Line

    High Resolution Photo Album Back Cover  

    High Resolution Photo #2 DIO Last In Line

    High Resolution Photo of the Original Custom Inner Sleeve (OIS) #1  

    High Resolution Photo #3 DIO Last In Line

    High Resolution Photo of the Original Custom Inner Sleeve (OIS) #2  

    High Resolution Photo #4 DIO Last In Line

    High Resolution Photo of the LP Side One  

    High Resolution Photo #5 DIO Last In Line

    Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )

    Index of DIO (The Band) - Vinyl LP Albums Discography

    DIO - Dream Evil 12" Vinyl LP
    Updated
    DIO - Dream Evil album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

    Released in 1987, Dream Evil is Dio's fourth studio album, blending soaring vocals, thunderous drums, and mystical themes. Featuring iconic tracks like Night People and All the Fools Sailed Away, it showcases Dio’s signature mix of fantasy and heavy metal. With Vinny Appice on drums and Jimmy Bain on bass, this album delivers a polished yet powerful sound, cementing Dio’s legacy in metal history.

    Learn more
    DIO - Holy Diver 12" Vinyl LP
    DIO - Holy Diver album front cover vinyl record

    Dio's legendary debut album "Holy Diver" arrives in Germany and the Netherlands! This 1983 vinyl LP delivers heavy metal classics like "Holy Diver" and "Rainbow in the Dark."

    - Holy Diver (1983, Germany ) - Holy Diver (1983, Netherlands)
    DIO - Intermission 12" Vinyl LP
    DIO - Intermission album front cover vinyl record

    Recorded at the San Diego Sports Arena in 1985 during the "Sacred Heart" tour, "Intermission" served as a sonic testament to the band's intense stage presence and Dio's enduring power as a frontman.

    Learn more
    DIO - Last In Line (German & Netherlands Releases)
    DIO - Last In Line (German & Netherlands Releases)  album front cover vinyl record

    DIO's seminal album "The Last in Line" arrived in Germany and the Netherlands in 1984. This vinyl LP showcases the band's raw power with iconic tracks like "We Rock" and the album's namesake.

    - Last in Line ( 1984, Germany ) - Last In Line ( 1984, Netherlands )
    DIO - Lock Up The Wolves 12" Vinyl LP
    DIO - Lock Up The Wolves album front cover vinyl record

    Released in 1990, "Lock Up The Wolves" emerged at a pivotal juncture in Dio's musical evolution. The album marked a departure from some of his earlier works, as it unveiled a renewed sense of exploration

    Learn more
    DIO - Sacred Heart (Three European Releases)
    DIO - Sacred Heart (Three European Releases) album front cover vinyl record

    DIO's iconic third album "Sacred Heart" hit European, German, and Dutch record stores in 1985. This heavy metal masterpiece features hits like "Rock 'N' Roll Children" and the title track. Learn the history of this classic vinyl!

    - Sacred Heart (1985, Europe) - Sacred Heart (1985, Germany) - Sacred Heart (1985, Holland)