The official poster for “Dio: Dreamers Never Die”, the career-spanning documentary on the life and times of the legendary rock icon Ronnie James Dio, can be found below. The film will receive its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival.

This year, SXSW will take place in person in Austin, Texas from March 11 to March 20, with select films available online. Every film will have an in-person SXSW 2022 premiere as the festival readies for its first in-person edition since the pandemic forced its cancelation in 2020. Most films will also be available online to badgeholders for 48 hours after their physical premieres.

“Dio: Dreamers Never Die” is the first documentary about Dio to be fully authorized by the artist’s estate. According to the film’s official description, it “delves deep into his incredible rise from ’50s doo-wop crooner to his early classic rock days in Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW, to replacing the iconic lead singer Ozzy Osbourne in BLACK SABBATH, to finally cement his legend with DIO. Ronnie’s biography is completely unique to the tired sex, drugs and rock and roll clichés. The film is about perseverance, dreams and the power to believe in yourself.”

“Dio: Dreamers Never Die” screenings:

* Paramount Theatre on March 17, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

* Online only on March 18, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

“Dio: Dreamers Never Die” was financed solely by BMG and was helmed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton (“Framing John DeLorean”, “Believer”, “Last Days Here”), produced by Don Argott and Sheena Joyce for 9.14 Pictures, and executive produced by Wendy Dio, wife and longtime manager of Ronnie James Dio, for Niji Productions and Kathy Rivkin Daum for BMG.

Ronnie James Dio’s story transcends the standard rock documentary. Set against the backdrop of Dio’s autobiography — half finished by Ronnie before his untimely death from stomach cancer in 2010 — the film chronicles the inspiring journey of his life, love, and storied career. Whether playing sold-out stadiums or battling illness, his powerful voice and gentle heart have had a profound influence on his family, friends, and fans around the world.

Wendy Dio recently told Argentinian journalist Lucas Gordon about “Dio: Dreamers Never Die”: “I saw the first cut of it. It was very emotional. It’s very different from [Dio’s autobiography]. ‘Cause the book finishes in 1986, with Ronnie playing Madison Square Garden. But the documentary goes all the way through his life till the end. And it was very emotional. I was watching it with my publicist and a person from BMG, who are funding the documentary. And we all cried. It was very emotional. But it’s really interesting and really good. Rob Halford is great in it, talking about stories. Lita Ford [and] Jack Black [are also in it]. Eddie Trunk [SiriusXM radio personality] and Mick Wall [author of Dio’s autobiography] both kind of narrated it and everything. I’m very pleased with it.”

Last August, Wendy told SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” about what fans can expect to see in the documentary: “There’s a bunch of stuff from [old] Super 8 [tapes] and some other stuff. There’s fantastic interviews with all kinds of different people about when they were working with Ronnie or what they were doing at the time, maybe supporting Ronnie. It’s totally different to the [recently released Dio] book. And I’m very interested to see this cut. I’m excited, actually, to see it. And I think it’s gonna be great.”

In October 2019, Wendy told the WSOU radio station that the documentary “will go from Ronnie’s childhood all the way through [to the end of his life]. I think they interviewed Jack Black, and I think they interviewed all of Ronnie’s bandmembers and Doug Aldrich and, I think, Jeff Pilson. They were getting ready to go to Arizona to interview Rob Halford and Lita Ford. And then they were going into England to interview Tony Iommi. They already did Geezer [Butler]. So there will be very interesting stories from different people. I think it’ll be a great thing, and it’ll show people a lot of things that people have never seen before.”

Ronnie James Dio passed away of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.

Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. The singer, who was recording and touring with BLACK SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.

Dio’s autobiography, titled “Rainbow In The Dark: The Autobiography”, was released last July via Permuted Press.

AMC Networks today announced the launch of AMC Networks Publishing, a book publishing arm that will work with established and up-and-coming talent in developing, producing and selling fan-focused specialty books, comics, original graphic novels and more.

On the heels of the successful debut of “The Art Of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe” coffee-table book, in partnership with Image Comics and Skybound, which remains a top seller on the official The Walking Dead Universe shop, AMC Networks Publishing will debut several new projects this year, including two comic series — “Nights Of Lono” by METALLICA’s lead guitarist and horror aficionado Kirk Hammett and his writing partner/co-creator Marcel Feldmar, and “Oubliette” from New York Times bestselling author Brenden Fletcher (“Batgirl”, “Gotham Academy”) — and two books based on AMC Networks’ hit shows, including the original graphic novel “Miss Fisher’s First Mysteries” based on the popular Acorn TV series “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”, and “Shudder’s Creepshow: From Script To Scream” (working title), from Cartel Entertainment and “Creepshow” showrunner and executive producer Greg Nicotero (“The Walking Dead”) and brokered by Striker Entertainment, a coffee-table book which includes a foreword by Hammett, as well as an afterword by legendary storyteller Stephen King.

“We’re excited to launch this new initiative with talented creators, writers, artists and storytellers to further engage our passionate fanbases with the stories and characters they love, as well as open the doors to discover new and compelling worlds,” said Mike Zagari, head of AMC Networks Publishing. “From deeper dives on AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe, ‘Shudder’s Creepshow’ and Acorn TV’s Miss Fisher, to a brand-new collection of fantasy and comic-based tales from Kirk Hammett, Marcel Feldmar, Brenden Fletcher and more, we can’t wait to entertain and thrill our audience and fans in new and innovative ways.”

Hammett and Feldmar’s “Nights Of Lono” (working title) tells the story of a troubled female detective in 1989 Hawaii who is hired to find King Kamehameha’s tomb before it is discovered by an unscrupulous occultist from the mainland. A mix of mystery and supernatural adventure, the story is a self-aware journey through standard detective tropes and cliches that are sharpened and given new life with fresh takes on the myths and folklore of the Hawaiian Islands.

Hammett released a coffee table book in 2012 called “Too Much Horror Business” that featured photos of his extensive collection of monster and horror memorabilia. He displayed a portion of his collection in the “Kirk’s Crypt” exhibition during the 2012 and 2013 Orion Music + More festivals. The METALLICA guitarist is also known as the Fear FestEvil horror convention organizer.

Hammett previously stated about the parallels between horror movies and heavy metal: “Heavy metal and horror movies come from the same sources, they come from the same seeds, they have a lot of the same imagery and subject matter and whatnot. And for myself, part of the appeal of horror movies is coming in contact with my own mortality but not having to pay the price. Or, like, reliving a death or something without having to go through the actual experience. Bringing yourself to a point where you’re maybe in a state of fear, but for your own pleasure.”

He continued: “Watching a good horror movie makes my adrenaline go. And for me, it’s great, it’s the ultimate. I mean, some people like action films. Me, [I like] horror movies.”

As previously reported, Hammett’s first solo release, “Portals”, will arrive on April 23. The all-instrumental four-song EP will be available digitally and on CD and “ocean blue” vinyl for Record Store Day. The effort was recorded in Los Angeles, Paris, and Oahu and was produced by Hammett, who drew inspiration for the songs from horror movies, classical music, and the work of Ennio Morricone, whose “The Ecstasy Of Gold” has been opening METALLICA live shows since 1983,

“This music was created with what I describe as an ‘audio-cinematic’ approach,” Hammett said in a statement. “They’re soundtracks to the movies in your mind.”

Hear Horror Pain Gore Death Productions’ reissue of Comé Mierda’s ripping 2021 demo. That counts as a premiere, right?
The post Full-Album Premiere: Comé Mierda – ‘2021 Demo’ appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Video footage of ALICE IN CHAINS’ Jerry Cantrell and SOUNDGARDEN’s Kim Thayil performing with several campers at this month’s “The Sounds Of Seattle” Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles, California is available below. Thayil can be seen in one video playing SOUNDGARDEN’s “Slaves & Bulldozers” while the second clip features Cantrell running through a rendition of ALICE IN CHAINS’ “Ain’t Like That”.

When his participation in the event was first announced last September, Thayil said in a statement: “The past few years have been unusually difficult and at times truly bizarre for the nation and world in general, and for the music industry and rock bands in particular. I am super excited about the opportunity to connect and reengage with fellow musicians and fans at the Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp. Bring your favorite axe and let’s jam at Rock Camp!”

Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp was created 26 years ago to provide real people the once-in-a-lifetime experience of connecting and jamming with their musical heroes. The Camp has provided unforgettable memories, advice and feedback for attendees worldwide. Camp events span over four jam packed days where campers join a band mentored by today’s top touring musicians, and work up to final performances with the headliner rock stars at legendary venues from Abbey Road Studios in London, to Hollywood’s Whisky A Go Go, to the Atlantic resort in The Bahamas.

Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp was the focus of the tremendously successful 2021 documentary “Rock Camp: The Movie”. “Entertaining”, “inspiring” and “moving” are how critics, audiences and industry leaders described the documentary. The film follows four real people who attend Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp and how it transforms their lives. These “rock campers” share the stage with superstar counselors including Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Nancy Wilson, Joe Perry, JUDAS PRIEST, Sammy Hagar and many more. “Rock Camp” was directed by Doug Blush, who has worked on over a hundred documentaries (including Oscar winners “20 Feet from Stardom”, “Icarus” and “Period. End Of Sentence.”).

“Rock Camp: The Movie” has generated great word of mouth and buzz, scoring a 94% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film has been featured on “The Today Show”, “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” and on ABC News. The Washington Post called “Rock Camp” “an eye-opening treat,” and The Chicago Sun-Times described it as “infectiously upbeat.” Music industry critic and influencer Bob Lefsetz raves, “I couldn’t turn it off. Rock and roll is a religion.”

David Fishof, Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp founder, has had a successful career as a sports agent, producer, promoter, and manager and is the founder and CEO of Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp. Fishof produced the “Happy Together” tours, the MONKEES 20th-anniversary reunion tour, “Dirty Dancing Live” tours and “Classic Superfest” and others. He also created and produced RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND tours for 15 years.