"HOLY DIVER" by DIO

Written by Ronnie James Dio (1983)

Album: Holy Diver

Dio: “Are you ready to rock boys and girls?”
Butters: “Ahhh, yeah sure, I guess.”

This mid-tempo piece, and its songwriter Mr Ronnie James Dio, was first made aware to me on the episode of South Park “Hooked on Monkey Fonics”, in which 80s heavy metal band Dio perform at South Park Elementary Day of Pigs memorial dance. It was only after Oliver and myself purchased the best of Dio on special at JB HiFi that we gained a full appreciation for this absolute classic. Starting out with 80 seconds of atmospheric sounds before one of the most head-bangingest riffs ever kicks in, the guitars performances on this track are outstanding, especially the solo with its solid balance of fingertapping and bendy bits. The lyrics are drenched with interesting metaphors, which has apparently led to much debate of the meaning of the song. I prefer to think of it has a trippy story of a holy diver who has been down too long in the midnight sea, whilst some hardcore fans argue it describes a lost soul’s descent…into the midnight sea. Either way this is one of the most played rockers on my music device, hovering around the top 20, and with good cause.

One day at one of my band’s jams, Oliver was chugging away at the riff for this song, as I was screaming the melody over it. After we finished, we turned to guitarist Bucky, who proclaimed it was the most awesome thing he had ever heard. We then said “Bucky, shut the fuck up” and proceeded to teabag him. Good times. If Chris ever sings in my band (I have him booked for 2007) then a cover of this is a must.