DIO Holy Diver - 2012 Audio Fidelity label remastered version 24 karat gold CD
Format: CD Condition: New Year of Release: 2012 Cat. No.: 0136 Label: Audio Fidelity
Limited numbered digitally remastered 24kt gold disc pressing of this 1983 debut solo album from the Heavy Metal band fronted by Ronnie James Dio, formerly of RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH.
After playing a major role in five positively classic heavy metal albums of the late '70s and early '80s (three with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and two with Black Sabbath), it seemed that singer Ronnie James Dio could truly do no wrong. So it wasn't all that surprising -- impressive, but not surprising -- when he struck gold yet again when launching his solo vehicle, Dio, via 1983's terrific 'Holy Diver' album.
Much like those two, hallowed Sabbath LPs, 'Heaven and Hell' and 'Mob Rules', 'Holy Diver' opened at full metallic throttle with the frenetic "Stand Up and Shout," before settling into a dark, deliberate, and hypnotic groove for the timelessly epic title track -- a worthy successor to glorious triumphs past like Rainbow's "Stargazer" and the Sabs' "Sign of the Southern Cross." But subsequent metal anthems like "Straight Through the Heart," "Invisible," and the lycanthrope lullaby "Shame on the Night" were no less inspired; and by injecting uncommonly catchy melodies into the heavy rock riffery still dominating more accessible numbers such as "Gypsy," "Caught in the Middle," and hit single "Rainbow in the Dark" (where the singer himself played rather spotty keyboards), Dio proved himself perfectly capable of competing with the increasingly commercial hard rock fashions soon to come.
Although most fans would agree that Dio would arguably never again replicate the simply sublime symbiosis of beauty and brawn achieved by the all-time standout "Don't Talk to Strangers." And, to be fair, aside from Ronnie's unquestionably stellar songwriting, 'Holy Diver's stunning quality and consistency owed much to his carefully chosen bandmates, including powerhouse drummer (and fellow Sabbath survivor) Vinny Appice, veteran bassist Jimmy Bain, and a phenomenal find in young Irish guitarist Vivian Campbell, whose tastefully pyrotechnic leads helped make this the definitive Dio lineup.
So, too, is 'Holy Diver' still the undisputed highlight of Dio's career, and, indeed, one of the finest pure heavy metal albums of the 1980s.
~ Review by Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
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
Audio Fidelity's 24KT+ Gold CD series brings you classic music in deluxe packaging with see-through slip cases using original album art, all beautifully reproduced. They only use the original master mixes played back on a specially constructed vintage playback deck. Here's where the PLUS (+) comes in: The analog masters are put through their new proprietary analog to digital converter which reinforces the resolution of the original masters adding true "breath of life" to the music. Without any further sonic manipulation the master is shipped directly to the manufacturing plant for etching in "real time" onto the glass surface by laser. The end result of this unique mastering process is a compact disc with the warm sound of the original analog master tape combined with a genuine 24 karat gold surface free of any type of physical defect making Audio Fidelity's 24KT+ Gold CD series truly one of a kind!
