Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 12/20/1991
Run Time: 41:29
After participating in five classic studio albums (three with
Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and two with
Black Sabbath) in the late '70s and early '80s, it seemed that singer
Ronnie James Dio could do no wrong. And with the release of his self-monickered band's debut album,
Holy Diver, in 1983,
Dio struck gold once again by injecting catchy melodies into the classic metal riffery of his previous groups. Besides
Dio's inspired songwriting, the album's consistency owes a lot to his carefully chosen bandmates, including veteran bassist
Jimmy Bain and drummer
Vinny Appice, and a phenomenal find in young guitarist
Vivian Campbell, whose creativity and technique are quite astounding. The album opens in full-tilt metal mode with the frenetic
"Stand Up and Shout," which segues into the epic title track, an album highlight thanks to it's hypnotic, mid-paced riff.
Dio himself plays keyboards (badly) on the hit single
"Rainbow in the Dark," and the remaining cuts range from further stabs at pop-metal (
"Gypsy," "Caught in the Middle") to blatant metal anthems (
"Straight Through the Heart," "Invisible"). These two facets find a perfect balance on the excellent
"Don't Talk to Strangers," arguably the album's high point.
~Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide
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