[Shawn]

I just picked it up and it kicks total ass. Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy/Quiet Riot) on bass, Simon Wright (AC/DC) on drums and this phenomenal guitarist named Doug Aldrich on guitar. Fucking awesome performance. I highly recommend it!

Holy Diver Live at Amazon.comFor a DVD which is so surprisingly inexpensive (ten bucks at Amazon), the disc is surprisingly replete. DTS is offered in addition to 5.1-channel Dolby and a stereo mix, the entire contents are in anamorphic widescreen (and thus enhanced for widescreen displays), and a sort of casual interview short is offered as an extra. The performance itself is well-filmed on digital video (though not HD cameras, I’m pretty sure), and edited in a very straightforward, lucid way. I prefer live performances to be edited to offer as clear and detailed a look at the performances, rather than the arty-farty lightning-cut approach of amateurs trying to be MTV music video directors. Fortunately the editors of this disc chose the more subtle approach. There’s even a little photo booklet insert, with brief essay by rock journalist (and metal fan) Dave Ling, something I really didn’t expect given the low price tag.

And the performance itself? Dio, now well into his sixties, has lost none of his energy, enthusiasm, or vocal range. Truly, the man is astounding, bopping around on stage, matching the audience’s devil horns signs, and belting out the tunes with the abandon unmatched by people a quarter of his age. So many rock singers have lost their voices due to the ravages of time and dissipated living: Dio remains at the peak of his form, perhaps slightly more gravelly than on the 80s recordings, but just as impressive and full.

Quick aside: I just love that Ronnie rocks out with out any interest in retiring, flying in the face of any ageist comments, or the cries of “where is your decency?” from those who think that being older means putting on a tie and slowing down. Ronnie is still the diminutive little hippie with the long hair and the fun of rocking out with the headbangers, and for Ronnie, the number of years he’s chalked under his belt simply has no meaning. It’s all about attitude, it’s all about preference. It’s the way it should be, and I really honor him for it.

Current lineup: Simon Wright on drums (really doing a good job matching Vinnie Appice’s awesome, involved drumming style from the albums), bass legend Rudy Sarzo on, ehm, bass (thank god he finger-picks), enigmatic Scott Warren at keyboards, looking like a supreme gothic vampyre type (and the keyboards are doubly important here because there’s none of the guitar-overdubbing to fill out the sound as on the records), and, finally, Doug Aldrich, who looks like he just stepped out of a Z-Boys competition down in Dogtown.

Let’s talk about Doug for a second. Dio fans tend to be divided about whether Doug Aldrich or Craig Goldy is the “better” guitar player to be in the band. It seems that for most, either Doug is a god or he’s “totally wrong” for the band. Without any offense at Goldy, I’m one of the people who likes Doug in the band. His presence on Killing the Dragon for me was a major reason why it was such a return to the vintage Dio sound when it was released in 2002. He has this fabulous capacity to mix insane technical speed with bluesy, swaggery soul. The man is just on fire, and he both manages to recreate the spirit of original Dio guitarist Viv Campbell’s performances, while contributing his own personality. On this DVD, he’s in much better form than on Dio’s last DVD, “Evil or Divine”, and the sense of cameraderie he shares on stage with Ronnie is a treat to witness.

I could go on, but there’s not really any point, except to say that if you’ve never experienced Dio before, or if you’re intimidated or hesitant about trying out classic heavy metal with lots of hard rock vibes, this is a fabulous place to start, and to witness one of the genre’s elder statesmen at the supreme height of his creative and artistic powers. If you don’t want to buy it, stick it in your Netflix queue — it’s worth the look, I warrant you.
We rock!

[Metal Ken]

Holy Diver live has Doug? Hmm.. I heard the CD versions (I was really excited by the songs on disc 2)... I kinda remember being a bit let down, it sounded like they slowed them all down. is the DVD from the same set as the CD?

[ohio_eric]

Let’s talk about Doug for a second. Dio fans tend to be divided about whether Doug Aldrich or Craig Goldy is the “better” guitar player to be in the band

No love for Vivian Campbell?

[Shawn]

This guy nails all the solos and then some. The only thing I dislike about Doug Aldrich is that he has this Zakk Wylde thing goin' on, other than that, he shreds. Vivian Campbell must've been really busy with Def Leppard. It would've been awesome to see him on the tour

[Ancestor]

It's a good DVD. Ronnie was obviously having a little trouble with his voice, but he pulled it off. The instrumental performance is outstanding. Yeah, I like Doug. Don't have a preference between him and Craig. I prefer Vivian over both, but that ain't gonna happen.

It's definitely worth the dough!

[Shawn]

I think I like Craig Goldie the best but i've always liked Vivian Campbell just as much.

Did you noticed that Shame On The Night was tuned lower?