Dio was formed after Ronnie James Dio left to pursue a solo career following his (first) stint as lead singer of the eminent metal band Black Sabbath. Replacing a legend such as Ozzy Osbourne in a band that was notorious for its substance abuse issues was bound to be a herculean task, and despite a successful (albeit brief) run for three years, in 1982 Ronnie left alongside drummer Vinny Appice to form Dio.
What followed was a classic album in the heavy metal genre that effectively defined the sound of what 80’s metal would sound like and to this day remains a monumental influence on the genre. Behind the powerful shredding of guitarist Vivian Campbell, the thundering gallop of Vinny Appice’s drum set, and the rapid-fire eighth notes from Jimmy Bain, Holy Diver‘s instrumental performance stands on its own. And when you add Dio’s iconic vocal chops– the unflinchingly operatic high notes, growling low notes, and crystal clear delivery– you have magic in a bottle.
Another element to note here is the songwriting. Metal’s fascination with Medieval themes is well-chronicled, and Ronnie James Dio played an outsized role in that motif becoming prominent in the genre through his body of work with Elf (I mean come on), Rainbow, and Dio. Put another way, if you ever wondered why a bunch of 70’s and 80’s music sounds like it’s a step-by-step narration to a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, you have Dio to thank.
Standout Songs: “Holy Diver”, “Rainbow in the Dark”, “Stand Up and Shout”
