Holy Diver is the debut album of heavy metal band Dio. Released on May 25, 1983, it has been hailed by critics as Dio's best work and a classic staple in the heavy metal genre This original cover offended churches because it looks as if the monster on the album was killing a Roman Catholic priest. This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with many photos of Ronnie James Dio and his band
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.
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
I clock Dio as one of those once-in-a-generation voices: pure power, crazy control, and a storyteller vibe that turns metal into a myth. I always track his timeline like chapters I keep re-reading: Elf (1967–1975) where he sharpened the blues-rock grit, Rainbow (1975–1979) where the fantasy thunder really took off, Black Sabbath (1979–1982, 1991–1992) where he helped reboot the doom machine, Dio (1982–2010) where he built his own kingdom, and Heaven & Hell (2006–2010) where the classics came roaring back live. Read more...
Ronnie James Dio, I don’t just hear a singer here — I hear a frontman who could make a chorus feel like a battle standard and a quiet line feel like a warning whispered in a cathedral. Whether he’s riding Rainbow’s hard-rock drama, giving Black Sabbath a second life, or planting the flag with Dio, the guy’s signature is the same: huge hooks, bigger conviction, and that unmistakable “this matters” intensity. Ronnie James Dio Wiki
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
When my site brain goes full 1980s metal mode, his name keeps showing up like a hidden signature in the dead wax. Read more...
George Marino is one of those behind-the-glass legends who made heavy music feel larger than the room it was playing in. Before the mastering console became his throne, he was a Bronx guitarist doing the NYC band grind in the 1960s with groups like The Chancellors and The New Sounds Ltd. Then he went pro for real: starting at Capitol Studios in New York (1967), and eventually becoming a long-running force at Sterling Sound (from 1973 onward). For a collector like me—living in that sweet spot where 1980s heavy metal, hard rock, and a dash of prog-minded ambition collide—Marino’s credits read like a stack of essential sleeves: Holy Diver (Dio), Tooth and Nail (Dokken), Stay Hard (Raven), Master of Puppets (Metallica), Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden), Among the Living (Anthrax), Appetite for Destruction (Guns N’ Roses), Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi), and Blow Up Your Video (AC/DC). That’s the kind of resume that doesn’t just “master” records—it weaponizes them, but with taste. George Marino Wiki
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
Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Mercury 811 021-1
Original Custom Inner Sleeve
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
1983 Netherlands
I clock Dio as one of those once-in-a-generation voices: pure power, crazy control, and a storyteller vibe that turns metal into a myth. I always track his timeline like chapters I keep re-reading: Elf (1967–1975) where he sharpened the blues-rock grit, Rainbow (1975–1979) where the fantasy thunder really took off, Black Sabbath (1979–1982, 1991–1992) where he helped reboot the doom machine, Dio (1982–2010) where he built his own kingdom, and Heaven & Hell (2006–2010) where the classics came roaring back live. Read more...
Ronnie James Dio, I don’t just hear a singer here — I hear a frontman who could make a chorus feel like a battle standard and a quiet line feel like a warning whispered in a cathedral. Whether he’s riding Rainbow’s hard-rock drama, giving Black Sabbath a second life, or planting the flag with Dio, the guy’s signature is the same: huge hooks, bigger conviction, and that unmistakable “this matters” intensity. Ronnie James Dio Wiki
Jimmy Bain is one of those bass players I call “quietly essential”: he doesn’t steal the spotlight, he just makes the whole thing hit harder and feel bigger. His lines have that no-nonsense weight that lets the guitars fly and the vocals preach without the bottom end turning to soup. Read more...
Jimmy Bain, for me, is a perfect example of how a great bassist can be both glue and engine at the same time—solid timing, fat tone, and just enough bite to keep things from getting polite. Timeline-wise, I always track him from Harlot (early 1970s) into Rainbow (1975–1977), then a long stretch with Dio (1982–1989, plus later returns like 1993–1994 and 2004), with plenty of side quests in between—most famously with Vivian Campbell’s band Riverdogs (1990–1993). Jimmy Bain Wiki
Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )
Released in 1987, Dream Evil is Dio's fourth studio album, blending soaring vocals, thunderous drums, and mystical themes. Featuring iconic tracks like Night People and All the Fools Sailed Away, it showcases Dio’s signature mix of fantasy and heavy metal. With Vinny Appice on drums and Jimmy Bain on bass, this album delivers a polished yet powerful sound, cementing Dio’s legacy in metal history.
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Dio's legendary debut album "Holy Diver" arrives in Germany and the Netherlands! This 1983 vinyl LP delivers heavy metal classics like "Holy Diver" and "Rainbow in the Dark."
- Holy Diver (1983, Germany ) - Holy Diver (1983, Netherlands)
Recorded at the San Diego Sports Arena in 1985 during the "Sacred Heart" tour, "Intermission" served as a sonic testament to the band's intense stage presence and Dio's enduring power as a frontman.
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DIO's seminal album "The Last in Line" arrived in Germany and the Netherlands in 1984. This vinyl LP showcases the band's raw power with iconic tracks like "We Rock" and the album's namesake.
- Last in Line ( 1984, Germany ) - Last In Line ( 1984, Netherlands )
Released in 1990, "Lock Up The Wolves" emerged at a pivotal juncture in Dio's musical evolution. The album marked a departure from some of his earlier works, as it unveiled a renewed sense of exploration
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DIO's iconic third album "Sacred Heart" hit European, German, and Dutch record stores in 1985. This heavy metal masterpiece features hits like "Rock 'N' Roll Children" and the title track. Learn the history of this classic vinyl!
- Sacred Heart (1985, Europe) - Sacred Heart (1985, Germany) - Sacred Heart (1985, Holland)