Dio's "Intermission" ain't no break, it's a sonic sucker punch. RJD howls like a banshee, guitars screech, drums pound. Raw, sweaty, pure rock 'n' roll mayhem #vinylrecords

Band Description:

DIO's "Intermission" wasn't just a live album; it was a declaration. Released in 1986 on 12" vinyl, this electrifying record captured Ronnie James Dio and his band in peak form, thundering through a selection of classics at the height of their popularity.

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. Alongside the brilliant Vivian Campbell on guitar, Jimmy Bain on bass, and the ferocious Vinny Appice on drums, Dio unleashed a barrage of metal anthems.

The setlist was a true retrospective of Dio's career at that point. From the iconic "Holy Diver" and "Rainbow in the Dark" to the crushing "The Last in Line" and "We Rock," the album showcased their most beloved material, delivered with raw power and precision.

But "Intermission" offered more than just hits. It also included a studio track, "Time to Burn," giving fans a taste of the band's ongoing musical evolution. Furthermore, a medley of Rainbow classics, including "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll," paid homage to Dio's past while thrilling die-hard fans of his earlier work.

While "Intermission" might not have sparked major controversies, it solidified Dio's place among metal's elite. Its raw, live energy proved they were more than a studio project; DIO was a force of nature onstage. It's a snapshot of a band firing on all cylinders, with the legendary Ronnie James Dio leading the charge

Music Genre:

British Hard Rock / Heavy Metal

Album Production Information:

The album: "DIO - Intermission" was produced by: Ronnie James DIO

Angelo Arcuri - Producer, Sound Engineer

Brett Newman - Sound Engineer

Greg Fulginiti - Mastering and Sound Engineer

Nick "Beeming" Basich - Sound Engineer

Steven Strassman - Sound Engineer

Gene Kirkland - Photography

P. G. "Wigan" Brunelli - Photography

Guy Chabernau - Sound Engineer

Steve Gerdes - Album Cover Design

This album was mixed at: Record Plant, Amigo Studios, , Sound City, Los Angeles

Album cover design: Steve Gerdes

Album cover photography: Gene Kirkland, P.G. Brunelli

Record Label & Catalognr:

Vertigo 830 078-1

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1986 Made in Holland

Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: DIO - Intermission

Ronnie James Dio (1943-2010) - Vocals, Producer
Ronnie James DIO – Vocals
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
Claude Schnell - Keyboards
Craig Goldy - Guitars
Jimmy Bain (1947-2016) - Bass, Keyboards
Jimmy Bain – Bass
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
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

Complete Track-listing of the album "DIO - Intermission"

The detailed tracklist of this record "DIO - Intermission" is:

King of Rock and Roll
Rainbow in the Dark
Sacred Heart

Time to Burn
Rock 'n' Roll Children
We Rock

High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover "DIO - Intermission"

High Resolution Photo #1 DIO Intermission

Album Back Cover Photo of "DIO - Intermission"

High Resolution Photo #2 DIO Intermission

High Resolution Photo of the LP Side One

High Resolution Photo #3 DIO Intermission

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 )