Heavy Crown [CD/DVD]

Personnel: Andrew Freeman (vocals); Vivian Campbell (guitar); Jeff Pilson (Mellotron, background vocals); Vinny Appice (drums).
Audio Mixer: Chris Collier.
Recording information: Pilsound Studios, High atop Mt. Pilsoni, CA.
Photographers: Ross Halfin; Joey Wester; Tias Boals.
The debut album from drummer Vinny Appice, bassist Jimmy Bain, guitarist Vivian Campbell, keyboardist Claude Schnell, and vocalist Andrew Freeman's post-Dio outfit, the aptly named Heavy Crown offers up a cornucopia of old-school metal might, spilling over with soaring vocals and meaty riffs. Last in Line were originally devised as a Dio covers/tribute band that would focus on material from the group's first three albums, Holy Diver, The Last in Line, and Sacred Heart, but after playing a series of well-received shows, the bandmembers decided to forge their own path. Heavy Crown is also last recording project to feature the talented Jimmy Bain, who passed away in early 2016. ~ James Christopher Monger