Holy Diver

by Dio

Overview

After participating in five classic studio albums (three with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and two with Black Sabbath) in the late '70s and early '80s, it seemed that singer Ronnie James Dio could do no wrong. And with the release of his self-monikered band's debut album, Holy Diver, in 1983, Dio struck gold once again by injecting catchy melodies into the classic metal riffery of his previous groups. Besides Dio's inspired songwriting, the album's consistency owes a lot to his carefully chosen bandmates, including veteran bassist Jimmy Bain and drummer Vinny Appice, and a phenomenal find in young guitarist Vivian Campbell, whose creativity and technique are quite astounding. The album opens in full-tilt metal mode with the frenetic "Stand Up and Shout," which segues into the epic title track, an album highlight thanks to its hypnotic, mid-paced riff. Dio himself plays keyboards (badly) on the hit single "Rainbow in the Dark," and the remaining cuts range from further stabs at pop-metal ("Gypsy," "Caught in the Middle") to blatant metal anthems ("Straight Through the Heart," "Invisible"). These two facets find a perfect balance on the excellent "Don't Talk to Strangers," arguably the album's high point. [The 2005 edition includes an audio interview with Ronnie James Dio.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

Product Details

Release Date:	11/29/2005
Label:	Universal International
UPC:	0602498309940
Rank:	38197

Tracks

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
10. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005)
11. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005) (Continued)
12. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005) (Continued)
13. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005) (Continued)
14. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005) (Continued)
15. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005) (Continued)
16. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005) (Continued)
17. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005) (Continued)
18. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005) (Continued)
19. Ronnie James Dio Audio Interview (2005) (Continued)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dio   Primary Artist,Vocals
Jimmy Bain   Bass,Keyboards,Guitar (Bass)
Vinny Appice   Drums
Ronnie James Dio   Vocals,Keyboards,Lead Vocals
Vivian Campbell   Guitar

Technical Credits

Ray Leonard   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Vivian Campbell   Composer
Dio   Composer,Lyricist,Performer
Jimmy Bain   Composer,Lyricist
George Marino   Mastering
Joe Barresi   Remix Engineer
Vinny Appice   Composer
Lee Herschberg   Remastering,Digital Remastering
Ronnie James Dio   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Mark Weiss   Photography
Wendy Dio   Artwork,Musician,Photography
Gene Kirkland   Photography
Simon Levy   Design,Art Direction
James Bain   Composer
Jeri McManus   Design,Art Direction
Sharon Weisz   Photography
Gene Hunter   Musician
Vincent Appice   Composer
Vivian Patrick Campbell   Composer
Ronnie Dio   Composer
Angelo Arcuri   Engineer