I felt obliged to post this tribute to a true man of metal after learning the recent news. I discovered Dio much later in my teens when my brother went to basic training and left backpack full of cassettes. I believe this song was included in compilation titled either "Heavy Metal Mayhem" or "Maximum Metal Power" Man I loved those compilation, not because of songs, but because of the absurdity of the song selection. There was usually a metal song along with classic rock song, maybe sandwiched between a progressive rock song and a power ballad.
There's so much good about this song. It's got the classic metal chugging rhythm, a wailing vocal and shredding guitar solo. I remember reading a Guitar World article about the guitarists of Dio and the dude has played with about all of the most influential players of the 70s and 80s.
The video is equally impressive. Dio single handily lays siege to a castle, broadsword in hand, and interrupts the twisted rituals of some evil cat wizard type beings. It doesn't get more epic than that.
He was nicknamed "little Hitler" by Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. He must have exercised some serious fortitude to command blind allegiance from the father of heavy metal guitar. Rest in peace dark prince.
Dio - Holy Diver
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