DIO: 'Holy Diver' To Be Re-Issued In September

August 18, 2005

According to MelodicRock.com, DIO's 1983 landmark album "Holy Diver" will be re-released in upgraded form on September 30, 2005. A joint project between Universal Music and Rock Candy Records, this new version of a recognized rock classic has been comprehensively remastered for maximum impact, and will also come complete with extensive sleeve notes, expanded original artwork (including hand-written lyrics) plus a brand new audio interview with singer Ronnie James Dio himself. Distribution is via Universal Music.

In the course of the interview, Ronnie talks in detail about the formation of DIO the band, and the background to the "Holy Diver" debut — the first time he'd released a record under his own name, and the first time (having parted company with both RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH) he was truly in charge of his own destiny.

DIO start an 11-date U.K. tour on October 9, 2005, the intention being to play the "Holy Diver" album in full in the course of what promises to be a memorable night of truly timeless music.

"It wasn't my idea, but suggested by someone else," Ronnie James Dio told U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine. "And this seemed to be a good concept at the time, although the closer we get to doing this, the more concerned I'm getting!

"I have to admit that I've not actually listened to the album for ages, and I keep putting it off. I'm actually scared of doing so. I know what I'm like. I'll hear what we did back then, and start thinking, 'You know what? This could have been done better, and that can be improved.' But I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and do it soon.

"A lot of bands have been playing one of their classic albums from beginning to end onstage recently. DEEP PURPLE did it with 'Machine Head' and SLAYER with 'Reign in Blood'. It's something people really seem to be into, and I'm sure DIO fans are going to love it. And it's not as if it'll be a massive departure for us — we do a lot of the songs live anyway. The 'Holy Diver' album will just be a part of the whole live experience on the tour."

There are plans for DIO to both film and record this landmark event, but it won't happen on the British tour. Rather, they're going to do this in Russia.

"We're gonna be spending a month out there, and decided that's where the filming and recording would happen. That's not meant to be any slight to our British fans at all. But to go on tour in Russia is a special event in itself."

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