Holy Diver is American heavy metal band Dio's debut album. It was given rave reviews, and is considered a classic in the world of metal. History Released on May 25, 1983, it has been hailed by critics as Dio's best work and a classic staple in the heavy metal genre.The album was eventually certified Gold in the US on September 12, 1984 and Platinum on March 21, 1989. The original vinyl release had a photo-montage LP-liner. The album was remastered and re-released by Rock Candy Records in 2005. The only notable addition to the original album is an audio interview Read more on Last.fm.
Ronnie James Dio was a driving force behind a ton of the best heavy metal of the mid-70s to early-80s, with “Holy Diver” as the absolute apex of his creative talents. Dio penned nine of his absolute best songs for this one (including solo writing credits on arguably the album’s two best tracks, “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and the title cut), but as much credit as he deserves this album’s success has just as much to do with the previously-obscure Vivian Campbell’s ferocious leads, thick riffs and blistering solos. Likewise, a lot of this hinges on former Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, who pounds the drums with the power and precision that gives the songs here the strength and kick to be a headbanger’s classic. Dio’s production is certainly on point, too – every track is clean and muscular, and check out the way he brings former Rainbow bandmate Jimmy Bain’s bass to the forefront on “Straight Through the Heart” to be the song’s lurching propeller, only to bury it on the backside of the track so Campbell’s pyrotechnics can take center stage. A stunning debut, and though Dio never again reached this peak “Holy Diver,” along with his four albums that preceded it (Rainbow’s “Rising” and “Long Live Rock n Roll” and Black Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell” and “Mob Rules”), justify his place in the pantheon of heavy metal gods.