DIO – Holy Diver (Release Year – 1983)
After Ronnie James Dio left Black Sabbath, he started a solo career with a band under his own name, DIO.
Holy Diver is the debut by DIO, which features Vivian Campbell on Guitar, Black Sabbath band mate, Vinny Appice on drums and Jimmy Bain on bass.
To this listener, Holy Diver will always be a timeless metal classic. Ronnie James Dio’s ultra powerful vocals alone, make
this a disc for all metalheads to check out. Vivian Campbell’s playing on this record is nothing short of superb. His playing on Holy Diver is far beyond anything he has done with his current employer, Def Leppard.
Vinny Appice has always been a great metal drummer, and his heavy drum beats on this record are nothing short of perfect!
The songs Holy Diver and Rainbow in the Dark, are still two of the biggest rock anthems that Ronnie James Dio has ever sung.
Some other favorite cuts of mine off of this disc, are Stand Up and Shout and Don’t Talk to Strangers.
Ronnie James Dio has been, and forever will be one of my favorite metal singers. I have followed his career since the Elf days, and Holy Diver is still one of my favorite records by Ronnie and company.
If you don’t own this record….what are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on this Classic Metal record!
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Stand Up and Shout
2. Holy Diver
3. Gypsy
4. Caught in the Middle
5. Don’t Talk to Strangers
6. Straight Through the Heart
7. Invisible
8. Rainbow in the Dark
9. Shame on the Night
Ronnie James Dio is certainly one of metal’s top singers. His early albums were good enough that I’ve always been able to get past all the goofy fantasy imagery. While his voice has remained strong, the little bit of his later stuff that I’ve heard doesn’t really any ground that he hasn’t already covered and merely made me want to get out the classics like this one.