Album of the Day

Ronnie James Dio had already established himself as a world-class hard rock singer-songwriter through his work with Rainbow and Black Sabbath but it was HOLY DIVER that made him immortal. The performer's solo debut features an outstanding set of originals ranging from fist-pumping anthems to gothic fantasies; “Rainbow in the Dark,” “Stand Up and Shout” and the title track all qualify as stone-cold classics. Though Ronnie James' name was front and center, Dio was a band, and the Warner Bros. collection benefits immeasurably from the powerhouse performances of guitarist Vivian Campbell, bassist Jimmy Bain and drummer Vinny Appice. Cited by Rolling Stones as one of the 100 greatest metal albums of all time, the Platinum-certified HOLY DIVER was released 40 years ago today.