TRACK LISTING
1. STAND UP & 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.

1983 WARNER BROS RECORDS.

RUNNING TIME: 41.29

 

PREVIOUS RELEASES:
Black Sabbath - The Mob Rules [1982]
Black Sabbath - Heaven & Hell [1980]
Rainbow - Rising [1976]		 RECENT RELEASES:
Dio - Magica [2000]
Dio - Inferno [1998]
Dio - Angry Machines [1996]

 

'Holy Diver' is Ronnie James Dio's first true solo project.  While it was easy to hear his input and creativity in Elf, Rainbow and Black Sabbath this was Ronnie's chance to create a band 100% in his image.  No longer was there a need to compromise ideas with a Blackmore or an Iommi, no Ronnie set about making an album that ultimately was about the man himself and  is unmistakably 100% Dio's vision.  Released in 1983 'Holy Diver' is 17 years later the album by which all Dio albums are judged and listening to it that comes as no surprise at all.  Contained within is not only the best album of Dio's career but also one of the best Metal albums - PERIOD.  Each track is a prime slice of traditional metal and its nigh on impossible to name another album in this genre that matches this yet alone betters it.  The magic of 'Holy Diver' is a combination of Ronnie's majestic vocal roar, Vivian Campbell's raw, abrasive and hungry guitar and the rock solid kicking rhythm section of Jimmy Bain [b] and Vinny Appice [d].  The production is raw by today's standards but that only helps add to the energy of which this album has in abundance.  The cover also does a good job of depicting the energy and venom inside.

 

1. STAND UP AND SHOUT [3.15]
A furious rocker that still ranks as one of Dio's more energetic tracks.  Vivian Campbell's divine riff is very simple but the urgency put into it makes it a thrilling ride everytime.  This is capably backed by Appice and Bain, when Ronnie enters the chain is complete - "Its the same old song you got to be somewhere at sometime and they never let you fly. Its like broken glass you get cut before you see it, so open up your eyes". A gloriously fuming vocal delivery makes this track sound even more aggressive and .  "You got desire - so let it out.  You got the power - Stand Up And Shout".  The solo sees Vivian Campbell lay down some truly great 80's metal lead guitar with a tone that is up with the very best,  the overall result is one of the best opening numbers on an album ever.

2. HOLY DIVER [5.54]
A minute of haunting wind gusts and a lone keyboard create the right ambience for the track to come screaming in with maximum effect.  The tempo is nowhere near as frantic as 'Stand Up And Shout' and the feel is more geared towards atmospherics than damaging ear drums.  The riff is not a million miles away from prime Tony Iommi in that its very simple but packs a huge punch.  'Holy Diver' is home to one of RJ Dio's best vocal performances with that voice perfectly complimenting the feel of the track - "Gotta get away, get away.  Between the velvet lies theres a truth thats hard as steel, the vision never dies like some never ending wheel".  Campbell throws down another glorius solo that it is difficult to imagine the track not having and the track is another winner.

3. GYPSY [3.39]
One of my favourites.  A great grooving riff is the centrepiece  for this uptempo hard rock classic.  Just by the title you know Ronnie's gonna deliver this track in fine style - "She was straight from hell but you never could tell coz  you were blinded by her light...".  The lyrics are about being taken in and mesmerized by a magical gypsy and are classic Dio fare.  The track changes key for more Campbell magic and the pounding assault underneath by Appice and Bain is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face - again.  "So I'm riding, I'm still riding, yes I riding on the Gypsy, on the Gypsy queen...".

4. CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE [4.15]
One of the more commercial tracks on the album and its a prime slice of melodic metal with melody and character to boot.  "You feel it, you see it, you feel the rush of the city lights...You're caught in the middle just like the way you've always been, caught in the middle helpless again".  The chorus is a majestic quality that screams Radioplay and this is somewhat of a forgotten Dio classic.

5. DON' TALK TO STRANGERS [4.53]
One of the undisputed Dio classics.  Opening with delicate 12 string acoustic guitar the track from the off tells you this is something truly special. "Don't talk to strangers coz there only there to do you harm, don't write in starlight coz the words may come out real...Don't go to heaven coz its only really Hell".  Lyrically the track is about another world where nothing is what it seems and Dio makes it all seem very real and its another classic vocal performance.  "Don't talk, don't let 'em inside your mind, run away run away GO!!".  The track builds in tempo and ferocity and comes to a peak with Campbell's scoulding solo all of which is guaranteed to make you clench your fist and punch the sky - unwillingly.  "Don't dance in darkness, you may stumble and you're sure to fall, Don't talk to strangers, coz there only there to make you sad, Don't talk to women coz they'll only bring you down". An absolute epic of a track.

6. STRAIGHT THROUGH THE HEART [4.32]
Another pounding delightful prime Metal riff matched tick for tack by Dio's angry vocal delivery - "Oh here it comes again - Straight Through The Heart".  This track would not of been out of place on one of the Sabbath albums but here it swings which is one things Sabbath didn't do.  Campbell throws down another delightful solo that again is perfectly suited to the track before heading into some Rainbow waters with a harmonised guitar section before Ronnie and Viv exchange blows all of which sounds superb - another amazing track!

7. INVISIBLE [5.26]
Starting off very eerie with a phased guitar motif - "If your circle stays unbroken then you're a lucky man cos it never never has for me" before slamming in with another prime traditional metal riff which again grooves.  The lyrics are about someone being trapped in a world where they are not noticed and nothing goes there way.  "So go away, I'm gonna leave here, I can be invisible, go away again, I just became invisible".  Another strong track that see all involved blend into a sonic powerhouse.

8. RAINBOW IN THE DARK [4.15]
Another Dio classic that contains all the trademarks - heavy riffing, fantasy inspired lyrics and bags of melody.  The parping keyboard on the solo raises a smile for it does sound a little quaint now but the rest is excellent - "No sign of the morning coming, you've been left on your own like a Rainbow In The Dark".  The solo is probably the most average thing here despite all its gusto but Ronnie soon restores the magic - "When there's lightning you know it always brings me down, coz its free and its seen and its me who's lost and never found...".  Still the track to have one while a game of Dungeons & Dragons is on the go - apparently!

9. SHAME ON THE NIGHT [5.20]
A track that seems to mix all the bands Ronnie has been in, the bluesy intro is reminiscent of Rainbow while the moody verse and outro is pure Sabbath.  I guess this is Ronnie's version of a slow blues and its pretty haunting actually.  That said it doesn't do as much for me as the other tracks on offer but there's no denying the quality - "Shame on the night, shame on you, shame on the night".

 

As you may have guessed I love this album.  To me its sums up 80's traditional Metal  and is rightly a classic.  Dio's vocal performance has always been timeless but I forgot just how great Viv Campbell's guitarwork was until I listened to it again for this review and its been on my stereo again pretty much constant since then.  All the tracks are really Dio classics and that says an awful lot, but to me the first five tracks are the real heart of the album but the other four are all classics.  Ronnie will have to go along way to better this release [Magica was close] and to be honest I doubt he ever will, but it also no lie when I don't think anyone else in this genre could better this.  It has everything I like and need in a trad metal album and its quite obvious that Dio's vision is one that catches a fans heart of which there will always be a place there for the band in mine. 

RATING
9.7
Quite simply if you haven't got this album - why not??
Review by Andy Craven
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