Dio - Holy Diver (1983)

Following his three album stint in Rainbow and two album sting with Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio decided to go it alone and formed Dio, of which Holy Diver was the debut offering. Featuring a relatively unknown 19 year old Irish guitarist Vivian Campbell, ex-Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice and ex-Rainbow bassist Jimmy Bain, the omens were good.

For once, initial expectation wasn’t dashed on the rocks with this album which features 9 of the hardest rocking songs you could ever wish to hear. The combination of Dio’s vocal dexterity and Campbell’s razor sharp riffing ensured that this album really buzzes along – think Sabbath’s Neon Knights crossed with Rainbow’s Kill The King and you’ll be in the right ball park for what to expect here.

From the opener, Stand Up And Shout, the album thunders along with all members playing to their strengths but Dio and Campbell emerging as the true stars. The title track itself is a plodding, metal anthem that really hooks-in the listener and became one of the band’s classic tracks.

The album, and two singles taken from it, even achieved chart success with Holy Diver reaching number 40 and Rainbow In the Dark reaching the dizzy heights of 14 on the Billboard charts and the album itself achieving number 13 in the UK charts.

One of the must-haves for any rock collection!

• Ronnie James Dio – Vocals
• Vivian Campbell – Guitar
• Jimmy Bain – Bass
• Vinny Appice – Drums