(TheBRHM.com) Let’s get into another classic debut album and see what stands out the most with Holy Diver by Dio. Now, Dio was the solo act of Ronnie James Dio, a powerful lead singer who was known for heading up Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and Black Sabbath.
I’d say it was his vocal work with Black Sabbath on 1980’s Heaven and Hell and 1981’s Mob Rules that really got Dio that spotlight as Sabbath had momentum at the time. Ozzy Osbourne had left the band and formed his own act, so the fate of Black Sabbath was in the air.
Then Dio leaves Rainbow and joins Sabbath, providing an interesting new sound with fresh vocals. He wouldn’t be long for Sabbath and took his approach from that band in kicking of his own act. Dio’s sound was very much a traditional heavy metal sound similar to Judas Priest or 1980’s Black Sabbath.
There are flourishes of speed metal pacing in some of his songs but it’s usually a slower affair. I like to go into what to expect lyrically and content-wise and in Dio’s case there is a lot of fantasy imagery and experiencing life. While Dio can tell a grim story, you’ll hear some tunes that can get you pumped or uplift you. This album has a few!
Before getting into Holy Diver, know that it’s nine tracks at a little over 41 minutes—a brief listen. As always, a * next to song means that it’s a must-listen while ** means it’s a must-fave. Let’s dive in.
Side A of Holy Diver
Weighing in at five tracks—all over 3 minutes—because there’s a lot going on in each song on the A-side. This is a case of an album having not just a rock-solid first half, an incredible one. Each of the first five tracks give you a little something different lyrically while also keeping you rocked in some great, rocking and anthemic heavy metal.
“Stand Up and Shout” opens things on a high-energy note and is an example of Dio rocking in speed metal territory a bit. We’ll get into the opener’s strength shortly but it’s a great track on its own. The titular track is next and it’s a beast of a song.
“Holy Diver” is one of two of songs on this album that got a lot of TV time in the 1980s because of the accompanying music videos. Of the two, I feel that “Holy Diver” had the more memorable video but both are awesome
Finishing off the A-side are the more hard rock-heavy “Gypsy”, “Caught in the Middle”, and “Don’t Talk to Strangers”. While strong, enjoyable tunes, I felt that “Gypsy” and “Caught in the Middle” didn’t have the punch of “Holy Diver”, “Stand Up and Shout” and “Don’t Talk to Strangers”.
Of course, you could say that not all songs need to be punch-punch-punch power-power-power. Also, those songs do have power to them I wasn’t hit by those songs like the above-mentioned hit.
Strongest Tracks: Stand Up and Shout*, Holy Diver**, Don’t Talk to Strangers
Side B
The B-side is strange because while only two songs from this album were promoted heavily, this side had some classic bangers, folks. All of these tracks have been “great” and “awesome”. “Straight Through the Heart” is a powerful song that could’ve been on the A-side. “Invisible” is probably the weakest on the B-side but it’s still a great song and would’ve served we’ll on the A or B side.
Honestly, “Invisible” will seem like another consistent heavy Dio song after listening to the first few tracks but it’s worth a listen. The other song that got promotion was the incredible “Rainbow in the Dark”. I said the video for “Holy Diver” was better but the better song is an honor for “Rainbow in the Dark”. It oozes power and just pounds.
Closing out the album is “Shame on the Night” which is I feel is probably the only song on the album where it should be. It’s a great, somewhat slower closer for what is an amazing album overall.
Strongest Tracks: Straight Through the Heart, Rainbow in the Dark**, Shame on the Night*
Song of the Album: Rainbow in the Dark
This song was just different. From the opening to Dio fading out as the song closes, a time will be had in those four minutes! What I love the most about “Rainbow in the Dark” is the anthemic nature of it. There’s a pounding pace as Dio goes through the song that just put it over the top. It hits much differently than the slow gallop and build of “Holy Diver”.
Power of the Opener: Stand Up and Shout
This is a hard one because “Stand Up and Shout” isn’t close to my favorite song on the album and I don’t know about “Holy Diver” opening. I definitely wouldn’t open with “Rainbow in the Dark” because then I’d have to put “Holy Diver” on the B-side. I don’t know, call me old-fashioned: that’s a bit much for one side of the album.
How do the other songs follow up after those two open the album and follow each other? I think “Stand Up and Shout” does a serviceable job as the album opener.
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.