Product Description

Despite recording two hit studio albums with Black Sabbath (1980's HEAVEN AND HELL and 1981's THE MOB RULES) and playing throughout the world to huge crowds, Ronnie James Dio leftthe band in 1982-the year of his final release with Sabbath, the in-concert LIVE EVIL. As soon as the announcement of his departure was made official, Dio began to put together his first solo project. Joining him were former Rainbow bandmate Jimmy Bain on bass, former Sabbath bandmate Vinny Appice on drums, ex-Sweet Savage guitar hero Vivian Campbell, and newcomer Claude Schnell on keyboards.
HOLY DIVER, Dio's band debut, was issued in 1983. The album quickly became a favourite among headbangers worldwide and eventually earned thegroup platinum certification. The somewhat upbeat sounding "Rainbow in the Dark" was an MTV favourite, while the plodding title track proved to be another standout. Other album highlights include the opening anthem "Stand Up and Shout", "Invisible", and "Don't Talk to Strangers". HOLY DIVER proved that Dio's departure from Black Sabbath had not affected hisspirits. In fact, he sounds most inspired here, aided by his new, hungry backing band.

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #120931 in Music
• Released on: 1988-04-08
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

AWESOME
If you like heavy metal, you simply have to buy this album.
Its not funk, grunge, glam, thrash, death, etc, etc (yawn) its just pure unadulterated, good old-fashioned HEAVY METAL.
The production is way ahead of its time and almost unmatched in my experience, even by later Dio efforts. You can hear everything so clearly!
Dio's vocals are all about power, the songs unendingly melodic.
The guitar playing is absolutely virtuoso, the style by turns heavy, tuneful, rhythmical, fascinating.
The drumming is simply breathtaking.
In short, I defy anyone not to appreciate the musicianship and the tunes.
WHAT an album.

One of the greatest British rock albums
I have had this on vinyl, cassette and CD. It is an absolutely brilliant rock album.
The poorest track in my eyes is Gypsy, every other one is a stormer from the anthemic Stand Up and Shout, the brilliant title track to Invisible which could almost be a Rainbow track down to the standout Rainbow in the Dark with its classic intro.
This album rightly appears in almost everyone's top 100 rock albums and for a good reason.
To say it has diminished in power after 20 years would be wrong in my eyes. Don't talk to Strangers and Straight Through the Heart I still play on 11.
Ronnie James Dio IS a rock legend.

Life After Sabbath!
This is Easily one of Best Heavy Metal Album's of the 80's. Its essential in any metal fans collection and will certainly bring a smile to your face. The Guitar playing is great, its a shame he went on to play with Def Leppard. This is easily on par with Dio's previous efforts with Black Sabbath and Rainbow (I would highly recommend them too).