This is
Dio's first solo effort and it is still today his best. These songs are simply classics.
Stand Up And Shout opens with a fast "right in your face" guitar riff, and quickly develops into a powerful and very intense track. The drums are bursting with energy and detail, and as always when
Dio sings the vocals are filled with great feeling and balance. The guitar leads are fitting and of high technical level.
Holy Diver is a Metal classic. The great melodic riff, the slow genius vocal parts, the solid bass, the varied drums, the mystical lyric and a melodic chorus. The wildly played guitar leads are really working well with the main rhythm.
The cool grooving sound of
Gypsy really rocks and creates a cool feeling. The huge chorus rules and
Dio sings perfectly, this man has an extreme level of power in his voice. The main rhythm is a bit on the simple side, but it sure sounds solid anyway.
Caught In The Middle has some brilliant varied guitar work, and a fantastic melodic chorus.
A mid-tempo songs which is pretty reliant on the basic rhythm, but I think that it is very saying for the record that even with a song like this which is not totally genius, the musical performance still lifts it up to a high level. The detailed drums, grooving bass and the splendid melodic vocals makes it just that more interesting.
Don't Talk To Strangers on the other hand is a pure classic. The slow atmospheric acoustic beginning, joined by some great vocal lines is magic. The song really goes into pace with a monster guitar riff, and an intense and solid rhythm. The chorus is huge and fits perfectly into the flow. The cool extensive guitar leads brings a lot of power into the song.
The different instruments are weighed perfectly between each other and overall the production on the album is in one word perfect for the year 1983. Lots of power and still the sound comes out very clear.
Straight Through The Heart is another genius song. The riff is stunning and the grooving drums and pounding bass creates an extremely solid rhythm. The melodic vocal break in the middle of the song makes a cool contrast to the hardness of the track. The drums are fantastic on this one, full of detail and technical passages.
Invisible features a fantastic melodic start with a dreaming atmosphere.
A tight guitar riff breaks the calmness. The fast and well-played guitar solo is a big plus, as well is the solid chorus. Not the best song on the album, but still filled with exiting elements that makes it very good.
Rainbow In The Dark. Well what can I say, I simply love this song. The flow of the perfect keyboard melody, the hard riff, the grooving bass, powerful drums and the fitting vocals, it just all comes together. The solo is a stunning example of Vivian Campbell's abilities. A perfect live song that really get you going.
Shame On The Night has a very raw, slow and tight rhythm. The different guitar effects and background keyboard creates a fantastic feeling. The bass has a very important part in the song; it works as a solid fundament and displays some cool detailed contributions. A tight and solid ending track that ends this excellent record.
The lyrics on the album are as always when written by
Dio, mystical and symbolic. The perspective is most of the time seen from within. Feelings of being lost and confused, but also elements of religious meaning and more positive aspects of feeling alive and well as in
Stand Up And Shout.
I am amazed by the musical performance of the record, and that is also the reason that I must give it such a high rating. First of
Dio is sounding fantastic and full of energy and life. Vivian Campbell offers some of the best guitar playing ever, wild and detailed. Vinny Appice drumming is of an extremely high technical level. I find I cool when a more straight style is made more interesting with such great drums. The bass from Jimmy Bain is very much in front which is a great; it is grooving and working in perfect harmony with the rhythm.
A 9 must be giving for this timeless performance.
Written by
Tommy Tuesday, April 1, 2003
Show all reviews by TommyRatingsTommy: 9/10Members: 9.25/10 - Average of 2 ratings.
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 | Alanna (Staff)
Rating: 9/10
This is absolutely *classic*. Not one song sounds out of place, the running order is smoo... · Read more · |
 | notrap
Rating: 9.5/10
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