If I am to start a Heavy Metal collection of albums/CD’s from scratch, DIO “Holy Diver” is at the top of my Metal list. Not to smear or take anything away from the legendary Ronnie James Dio of today, however, the prolific and powerful vocals of Dio are evident and found on “Holy Diver”. A younger Ronnie James Dio, of course, with a penchant for delivering the most remarkable Heavy Metal vocals I have ever heard, all here on this Metal masterpiece. I understand everyone gets older, not every vocalist is going to sound like they are in their 20′s or 30′s again when they hit their 50′s and 60′s. I revere Ronnie James Dio, all the vocals, on all the albums he has done. Outside of the Dio fronted Black Sabbath albums – “Heaven And Hell” and “Mob Rules”, along with all the Dio fronted Rainbow albums, “Holy Diver” still ranks right up there as what I consider Ronnie James Dio’s greatest vocal achievement to date. (This is my Metal opinion). After all these years, going on three decades… I have never, ever, grown tired of this remarkable album. There will forever, only be one Ronnie James Dio, there will never again be another Metal album like “Holy Diver”.
When this album was released in May of 1983, I was lingering in High School. What Ronnie James Dio with his vocals became for me, was a friend. Dio was a lead singer for two of the biggest bands out there, and eventually the namesake for his very own Metal band. “Holy Diver” gave me the inspiration to charge ahead - during those younger years when I needed it the most. (Little does Dio or any of my favorite bands or musicians realize the impact they had on me as a young dude… I thank them all to this very moment). Throughout my life, sure, I root for my New York Yankee baseball heroes, yet I root for my Metal Music heroes stronger and longer. To make an analogy, sports legends are limited to the number of years they can play… Ronnie James Dio can still sing, make albums and tour, going on four decades. Music lives on, never goes away. ”Holy Diver” lives on too – only the songs are just as big as life for me now as they were in 1983.
“Stand Up And Shout” is the Heavy Metal battle cry that opens up this album, leading right into “Holy Diver”, which to this day, still mesmerizes me with it’s eerie keyboard intro. “Rainbow In The Dark” is the more melodic - but still heavy – popular tune that seems to get the most notoriety. “Gypsy” and “Caught In The Middle” are indicative of the Metal spirit that was dictated, both vocally and musically by Dio on this album. There are those select Metal albums that are to be celebrated and looked upon as true templates of musical greatness… “Holy Diver”, in my Metal opinion, is one.
Dio, the band, as they appeared on “Holy Diver”: Ronnie James Dio on vocals & keyboards, Vinny Appice on drums, Vivian Campbell on guitar and Jimmy Bain on bass & keyboards.
First of all, I am a fan of Ronny Munroe, the current lead vocalist for Metal Church. I just happen to gravitate towards the Old School Metal sound, both vocally and musically. Ronny Munroe in my Metal opinion, has the unmistakable Old School Heavy Metal vocals… and in no way do I subscribe to the opinion that this sound is dated. This brand of Old School Heavy Metal has been proven successful for decades now. For me, it is another Metal genre that lives on. With that said, I have obtained a copy of the new Ronny Munroe debut CD… “The Fire Within“, (released 2009), I am impressed by the total package of music here. This is Heavy Metal made the old school way, no frills, bells or whistles get in the way of the straight ahead approach that Ronny Munroe has taken on with “The Fire Within”. Honestly, Ronny Munroe comes with his Metal Church – front man credentials… he delivers a mightily solid twelve tunes alongside some talented friends. Rick Van Zandt of Metal Church, plays lead and rhythm guitars superbly throughout, with Michael Wilton of Queensryche delivering a solo on two tracks I will mention.
Mark your Metal calendar – April 28, 2009 – the NEW studio album release from HEAVEN & HELL shall be unleashed to the world of Heavy Metal!! “The Devil You Know” is coming, what a glorious time to be a Metal fan!! I cannot, without doubt, wait for this new Metal material from this prolific, historic, important, musically talented beyond my wildest praise – band. (phew). Can you tell I really, really like Heaven & Hell? I actually find myself referring to them as Black Sabbath more often than not, for that is who they really are. Despite what we Metal fans cannot control in regards to the legalities of – Metal band name rights, Heaven & Hell is one surefire-cool name for this group. Aw, heck, they could call themselves anything they want and I still will be blown away by their Metal tunes, both past and present stuff!
