Holy Diver (2CD) 5/5

The Last in Line (2CD) 5/5

Sacred Heart (2CD) 4/5

Universal

At long last the first three Dio albums get the proper remaster treatment and what a joy to behold. Really.

After Elf, Rainbow and Black Sabbath, singer Ronnie James Dio had already been involved in some iconic and influential albums, but when he set out with his eponymous band in 1982, the debuted in 83 with a straight metal album that is about as Iconic and classic as anything he’d done before, or since.

With Dio handling occasional keyboards and most of the song writing, his band was completed by drummer Vinnie Appice (they struck up a longtime working relationship in Sabbath), former Rainbow bass player Jimmy Bain and former Sweet Savage guitarist Vivian Campbell (later of Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and Def Leppard).

Holy Diver the album is crunchy and full of crunchy riffs and hooks. From the opening “Stand Up And Shout” and the classic title track, the pitch and pace of the metal is just perfect – no thrash, no glam, no FM sell out, just classic classic metal. “Caught In The Middle” carries a melody, and the album amplifies the fantasy themes of Rainbow and Sabbath combined, exploring both light and dark, and various contrasts between. The lighter intro to “Don’t Talk To Strangers” works well, before the heavier riffs come in. And the solos aren’t too shabby either. I could go through each track, but they’re all classic, it’s a well-balanced and truly iconic album. Dio’s vocals are strong, clear and ranging throughout.

Comprehensive sleevenotes add to a decent package, as does the second disc, featuring 3 single b-sides and 6 live tracks from the King Biscuit Flower Hour October 1983.

The following year’s The Last In Line followed a similar direction, a lot more so, and proved the band were a team, not a solo project. Adding keyboard player Claude Schnell, opener “We Rock” is a hard edged statement of intent. The title track is a solid number, and from “Breathless” through to “Eat Your Heart Out”, it’s more classic Dio. Then there’s the closing number, the truly epic “Egypt (The Chains Are On)”, a slower solid rhythm that nods back to “Heaven And Hell”, but the moody riff in a heavy minor key adds an extra edge.

Another superb album, and the second disc adds 4 b-sides and a further 8 live tracks that include Stargazer and Heaven And Hell. Now that’s worth the price alone!

The third and final album to feature guitarist Campbell was 1985’s Sacred Heart, a rift between Dio and Cambell starting during the recording; the sound here is more polished, a progression, more prominent keyboards, it’s as solid and melodic as the previous two but, certainly in terms of the guitar, it’s a lot less crunchy, less fiery. “Rock’n’Roll Children” is an anthemic classic – in fact that describes the album in being more anthemic and less straight metal. “King Of Rock And Roll” and “Hungry For Heaven” stand out too. It’s not really a more commercial direction, but it’s definitely different, a move on from the earlier albums.

The second disc includes 4 single b-sides (also making up the Dio EP) and the more that make up the Intermission mini album.

On all three albums the sound is improved, the packing is superb and all the bonuses are rounded up. My only gripe on the sound is that the guitar on the 3^rd album (and mini album) was always low in the mix and it would be nice a hear a complete remix to balance it with the first two albums where the mix is a lot more guitar oriented.

But some classic and essential metal, classic Dio, and decent packaging at last.

Def worth forking out for.

Joe Geesin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025

SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
RED GIANT Free Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.