Ronnie James Dio is a heavy metal legend. He has the voice that defines heavy metal. When he started his first band, ELF, in the early 70's, he was already an experienced vocalist. Soon he joined Ritchie Blackmore in founding Rainbow, sticking with him for 3 records. After being fired from Mr. Blackmore, he took over the mic in Black Sabbath, replacing Ozzy Osbourne. 2 records later he found himself band-less again, and formed his own band, DIO. Everything Dio has put his voice to sounds great. He was also one of the initials brains behind the Hear 'n' Aid sessions.

HOLY DIVER (1983, 2005) MERCURY/UNIVERSAL

After getting a name for himself through Rainbow and Black Sabbath, fans were eager to hear what the voice of metal could come up with on his own terms. The result was nothing short of breathtaking. 'Holy Diver' was Dio's first solo-effort. Though the man himself consistently has said that Dio was, and still is, meant to be a band effort. And what a debut 'Holy Diver' was. Still held by a united horde of fans as a heavy metal classic. And quite frankly, Dio hasn't released a better album since. Who can forget stuff like "Holy Diver", "Don't Talk To Strangers" and "Rainbow in the Dark"? Obligatory in any heavy metal collection!! I replaced the original CD with the 2005 Remastered Collector's Edition. It contains a bonus interview session, an extensive booklet, with loads of comments and pictures, and the sound has been beefed up (not that it is that noticeable to these ears).

Killer tracks: Holy Diver, Caught In The Middle, Don't Talk To Strangers, Straight Through The Heart, Rainbow In The Dark

THE LAST IN LINE (1984) VERTIGO

OK, so I said in my write-up of 'Holy Diver' that Dio has never released a better album since, but 'The Last In Line' is surely not worse either! Opening with one of my all time favorite rock anthems, "We Rock", this is another heavy metal classic for sure. Ronnie's voice and Vivian's guitars are two ingredients that created the mold for 80's heavy metal. Metal back then was not about being the most brutal act, nor was it necessarily about the shock value. It was all about writing some great tunes. And Dio have delivered more memorable and catchy songs than most!

Killer tracks: We Rock, The Last In Line, One Night In The City, Mystery

SACRED HEART (1985) VERTIGO

This album starts out just as good as it's predecessors. The 5 first tunes are heavy-metal classics, and "Rock 'n' Roll Children" is my all-time favorite song by this band. The music-video for this track fascinated me immensely as a kid. But after these tracks, the album fades. "Just Another Day" is as almost forgotten gem, but the rest are just sad. All in all I think 'Sacred Heart' is a great album, but not Dio's best. 'Hungry For Heaven' was also featured on the soundtrack for a movie called 'Vision Quest', starring Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino and Daphne Zuniga, and featuring a movie score recorded by Tangerine Dream.

Killer tracks: King Of Rock And Roll, Sacred Heart, Rock 'n' Roll Children, Hungry For Heaven

INTERMISSION (1986) VERTIGO/WARNER BROS (EP)

'Intermission' is a live EP, with 1 new studio track.  The live section was recorded at the Sports Arena in San Diego, CA, December 6th, 1985. As a live document this CD is a bit too short. And the inclution of the new studio track, "Time To Burn", right in the middle of the live set creates an unnessecary break on such a short EP. Still, Dio sounds awesome live, be it on the man's own maetrial, or on the medly containing some old Rainbow favorites. The new song is actually a quite good mid-paced rocker too. Just wish the live portion was longer. A full album would be nice, considering that this was Dio at his prime, both musically, and carreer wise.

DREAM EVIL (1987) VERTIGO

Night People Dream Evil Sunset Superman All The Fools Sailed Away Naked In The Rain Overlove I Could Have Been A Dreamer Faces In The Window When A Woman Cries

Line-up: Ronnie James Dio : Vocal Craig Goldie : Guitar Jimmy Bain : Bass Vinny Appice : Drums Claude Schnell : Keyboards

This was the first Dio album I listened to in it's entirety. And it is still one of my favorite albums, by the grandfather of metal! 'Dream Evil' is just filled to the brim with cool tunes. The die hard fans mumbles about the album being to commercial, but I don't care!! The music is great! There are less then memorable moments here as well, but the majority is just classic Dio! I think it sounds somewhat in the same vain as Black Sabbath's 'Heaven And Hell'. A must!!

Killer tracks: Dream Evil, All The Fools Sailed Away, I Could Have Been A Dreamer

LOCK UP THE WOLVES (1990) VERTIGO

I've read numerous bad reviews of this album. But in my memory I never could see what was so wrong with it. I used to listen to this a lot, when I was younger. But now I've gotten a hold of a CD-copy, and I clearly see what those reviews were all about. This album stinks, and is definitively Dio's worst album. Only 3 songs are worth listening to, the rest are just plain bad. Oh, Simon Wright has also played with AC/DC.

Killer tracks: Wild One, Hey Angel, Lock Up The Wolves

DIAMONDS - THE BEST OF DIO (1992) VERTIGO

I know best of albums aren't considered cool among most collectors. They are just milking you of money on something you already own. But I think it's cool to put on a CD with all my favorite Dio tracks, one after another. Included here are also "Hide In The Rainbow", previously only available on the 'Iron Eagle'-soundtrack.

STRANGE HIGHWAYS (1994) REPRISE

I never tried very hard to score this album. I had read too many bad reviews of it to even care. But a friend of mine in the US picked it up for me, and I finally got the chance to check it out myself. And to my surprise I liked the album. It's not by far as bad as most people have told me. It lacks the really cool tunes like "Holy Diver" or "Rock 'n Roll Children", but most of the tracks are good in their own right. Dio seems to be on autopilot, and that is maybe why we don't get a classic album. But as a Dio fan, I like it nevertheless. The album is also a bit darker than usual.

Killer tracks: Jesus, Mary & The Holy Ghost, Strange Highways, Hollywood Black

MAGICA (2000) SPITFIRE

Dio start of this new millennium with some classic Dio-sounding material. I had almost lost interest in the old man, but with 'Magica' he adds new life to his heavy metal legacy. I would put this album somewhere between 'Sacred Heart' and 'Dream Evil' in sound. Dio have released his best effort in over 10 years with 'Magica'.

Killer tracks: Lord Of The Last Day, Feed My Head, Eriel

Dio also appear on:  

V/A - 'Hear 'n Aid: Stars'

Jens Johansson guest appearances:

Roland Grapow - 'Kaleidoscope'

V/A - 'Holy Dio : A Tribute To The Voice Of Metal - Ronnie James Dio'

Hammerfall - 'Crimson Thunder'

Sonata Arctica - 'Winterheart's Guild'

Kamelot - 'The Black Halo'

Related artists

Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, Yngwie Malmsteen, Stratovarius, Hear 'n' Aid, Quiet Riot, Dokken, Impellitteri