( Ronnie James ) DIO - Holy Diver - Holland 12" Vinyl LP Album

Trivia

The album cover for DIO's "Holy Diver" depicts a devil-like creature, with horns , diving into a pool of water, where a person is shown drowning. This image was seen as offensive and controversial by some people, particularly in the Netherlands, where the album was released with an additional sticker warning about the graphic content.

The depiction of a demonic creature and the imagery of someone drowning could be seen as promoting violence or glorifying evil. In addition, some people found the cover to be disturbing or frightening. This led to some retailers refusing to stock the album or displaying it in a way that obscured the cover.

However, others argued that the cover was simply a representation of the album's themes and that it was not meant to be taken literally. Many heavy metal and rock bands of the time used similar imagery in their album art, and some fans appreciated the provocative and edgy nature of the cover.

Overall, the album cover of DIO's "Holy Diver" was controversial due to its use of violent and demonic imagery, which some found offensive or disturbing.

Production & Recording Information

This album "DIO Holy Diver" includes the original custom inner sleeve with a collage of the DIO band-members,

The album: "DIO Holy Diver" was produced by: Ronnie James Dio

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Angelo Arcuri

This album was recorded at: Sound City Studios ,  Van Nuys, California , 1983

Mastering by George Marino (1947-2012) - Mastering Engineer

Gene Kirkland - Photography

Jerry McManus - Art Direction

Mark (Weiss Guy) Weiss - Photography

Randy Barrett - Artwork

Rick Brackett - Photography

Sharon Weisz - Photography

Simon Levy - Art Direction

Gene Hunter - Original Art Rendering

Ray Leonard - Sound Engineer

Wendy Dio - Cover Concept

Musicians:

• Ronnie James Dio - Vocals
  Ronnie James Dio was a legendary heavy metal vocalist known for his powerful voice and fantasy-driven lyrics. Rising to fame with Rainbow, he later fronted Black Sabbath before forming his band, Dio. His iconic albums like "Holy Diver" and "The Last in Line" cemented his status as a metal icon. His influence on the Heavy Metal genre remains unmatched. Learn more
• Vivian Campbell Guitar
• Jimmy Bain Bass, Keyboards
  Jimmy Bain was a renowned bass guitarist known for his work with Rainbow and Dio. His powerful bass lines shaped classics like "Rising" with Rainbow and "Holy Diver" with Dio. A key contributor to heavy metal's golden era, his driving rhythms and songwriting helped define the genre’s sound. His legacy lives on through his timeless recordings. basslines powered some of hard rock's most iconic anthems. Learn more
• Vinny Appice Drums
  Vinny Appice is a powerhouse drummer known for his thunderous and precise playing. Born in 1957, he gained fame with Black Sabbath, debuting on "Heaven and Hell" alongside Ronnie James Dio. He later joined Dio’s band, contributing to iconic albums like "Holy Diver" and "The Last in Line2. His influence on heavy metal drumming remains legendary. Learn more

Tracklisting Side One:

1. Stand Up And Shout 3:15
2. Holy Diver 5:52
3. Gypsy 3:37
4. Caught In The Middle 4:13
5. Don't Talk To Strangers 4:49

Tracklisting Side Two:

1. Straight Through The Heart 4:31
2. Invisible 5:23
3. Rainbow In The Dark 4:13
4. Shame On The Night 5:16