After playing a major role in five positively classic heavy metal albums of the late '70s and early '80s (three with {|Ritchie Blackmore|}'s {|Rainbow|} and two with {|Black Sabbath|}), it seemed that singer {|Ronnie James Dio|} could truly do no wro... Read more

After playing a major role in five positively classic heavy metal albums of the late '70s and early '80s (three with {|Ritchie Blackmore|}'s {|Rainbow|} and two with {|Black Sabbath|}), it seemed that singer {|Ronnie James Dio|} could truly do no wrong. So it wasn't all that surprising -- impressive, but not surprising -- when he struck gold yet again when launching his solo vehicle, {|Dio|}, via 1983's terrific {|Holy Diver|} album. Much like those two, hallowed {|Sabbath|} LPs, {|Heaven and Hell|} and {|Mob Rules|}, {|Holy Diver|} opened at full metallic throttle with the frenetic {|Stand Up and Shout,|} before settling into a dark, deliberate, and hypnotic groove for the timelessly epic title track -- a worthy successor to glorious triumphs past like {|Rainbow|}'s {|Stargazer|} and the {|Sabs|}' {|Sign of the Southern Cross.|} But subsequent metal anthems like {|Straight Through the Heart,|} {|Invisible,|} and the lycanthrope lullaby {|Shame on the Night|} were no less inspired; and by injecting uncommonly catchy melodies into the heavy rock riffery still dominating more accessible numbers such as {|Gypsy,|} {|Caught in the Middle,|} and hit single {|Rainbow in the Dark|} (where the singer himself played rather spotty keyboards), {|Dio|} proved himself perfectly capable of competing with the increasingly commercial hard rock fashions soon to come. Although most fans would agree that {|Dio|} would arguably never again replicate the simply sublime symbiosis of beauty and brawn achieved by the all-time standout {|Don't Talk to Strangers.|} And, to be fair, aside from {|Ronnie|}'s unquestionably stellar songwriting, {|Holy Diver|}'s stunning quality and consistency owed much to his carefully chosen bandmates, including powerhouse drummer (and fellow {|Sabbath|} survivor) {|Vinny Appice|}, veteran bassist {|Jimmy Bain|}, and a phenomenal find in young Irish guitarist {|Vivian Campbell|}, whose tastefully pyrotechnic leads helped make this the definitive {|Dio|} lineup. So, too, is {|Holy Diver|} still the undisputed highlight of {|Dio|}'s career, and, indeed, one of the finest pure heavy metal albums of the 1980s. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia Less