Holy Diver is of course the first official solo album from Ronnie James Dio following his split with Black Sabbath. He’s assembled a solid band, including his fellow Sabbath band mate and drummer Vinnie Appice, former Rainbow bassist Jimmy Bain, and guitar virtuoso Vivian Campbell, who was fresh out of NWOBHM bashers Sweet Savage. The album takes the heavy metal sound that Dio helped define with Rainbow and Sabbath and, well, simplifies it a good deal for a straightforward metal sound that ultimately highlights Dio’s vocal talents as well as Campbell’s flashy playing. The album is sort of perfectly put together and launched Dio right in the spotlight as a successful solo act. Love the production on this one too! So good!
1983 US pressing on Warner Bros. Records.
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