Dio
Holy Diver Live
BMG
Released: February 12, 2021
Perhaps the greatest voice the heavy metal world has ever known, Ronnie James Dio, is about to have a collection of his live performances re-issued – including this, Holy Diver Live!
As well as Holy Diver Live, Niji Entertainment and BMG have announced the release of another live album, Holy Diver Live, will be Evil Or Divine: Live In New York City, that will be released on the same day. But wait! There’s more! This is but the start of a series of live Dio recordings that will be unleashed. It has also been announced that BMG will be re-releasing the entire Dio catalog, piece by piece – with surprises along the way. Personally, I hope among the releases, is a 4k blu ray concert video or two. Fingers crossed!
Dio however, is the only member from the recording of this heralded studio album that also appears on this live recording. With the announcement that more live recordings are indeed scheduled for release – we can hope that on earlier set can be unearthed, with the full line-up from the Holy Diver days. That remains to be seen. This record, Holy Diver Live, was originally recorded at the London Astoria Theatre and originally released in 2008. Long since out of print, this is surely a welcomed addition to any Dio, Rainbow or Black Sabbath fan. It has already been eleven years since the passing of the great Ronnie James Dio – and he is sorely missed.
See Also: The Pretty Reckless “Death By Rock And Roll” Review
With all that the world has suffered through of late, with this seemingly never ending pandemic. The loss of live music. The timing for this series of live Dio performances couldn’t be better. We will never again be so fortunate to see Ronnie James Dio in the flesh again, but we can still enjoy those cherished moments in time that we did share with him. Forever more. I’m still not sure how I feel about bringing Ronnie James Dio back as a hologram, but I can tell you, having these gems at my disposal is a treasure chests worth of spoils.
Alongside the hits you’d expect, like Rainbow In The Dark, Holy Diver and Heaven And Hell, are some deep cuts. Of course, the entire Holy Diver album is here, but tracks such as Sign Of The Southern Cross (Black Sabbath) and Gates Of Babylon (Rainbow) and Man On The Silver Mountain (Rainbow) add to the legacy, showing the depth of Dio’s career. Having them as one collection is special. The ability to hear them whenever the mood strikes even more so. And with a slew more seemingly in the works, the legend that was Ronnie James Dio will remain with us for many years to come. I eagerly await what else comes down the pipeline.
Sonically, the audio quality here is rather good. As is to be expected, I suppose – but even those at the top sometimes have off nights. Not here. Dio sounds fantastic here, and hearing his stage banter leaves a warm feeling in its wake. Hearing these renditions of Black Sabbath and Rainbow songs is equally great, so long as the listener isn’t expecting perfect renditions of other bands works, if you get my meaning. Holy Diver Live is certainly a worthy document, a piece of heavy metal history.
Dio’s Holy Diver Live will be released on February 12th, 2021 – on a double compact disc or a triple-disc vinyl set – I suppose there’s a digital version available too. As previously mentioned, Evil Or Divine: Live In New York City will see the light on the same day as well. After all, what’s better than a live Dio set? Two. That’s what!
For Fans Of: Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Iron Maiden
Track Listing:
01. Stand Up And Shout (including intro)
02. Holy Diver
03. Gypsy / drum solo
04. Caught In The Middle
05. Don’t Talk To Strangers
06. Straight Through The Heart
07. Invisible
08. Rainbow In The Dark
09. Shame On The Night (Including guitar solo)
10. Tarot Women (with intro)
11. Sign Of The Southern Cross
12. One Night In The City
13. Gates Of Babylon
14. Heaven And Hell
15. Man On The Silver Mountain
16. Long Live Rock N’ Roll (Including Catch The Rainbow intro)
17. We Rock
