Trying a new layout again in part because I discovered that the way I had previously put together newsletters introduced some problems when I replaced all 12,000 images on the site earlier this week (long story). This new layout has more clicking, but should be easier on the ol' inbox. Let's see how we like it!

Also, when I started the newsletter, I said I would keep posting if I got to 500 subscribers by September. The list just clicked past 700! Thanks, everybody, for signing up!

Podcast

The other day, someone mentioned Dio in the Discord, and I wondered out loud why I didn't own Holy Diver on vinyl. I love Ronnie James Dio whenever I hear him belting it out, but for some reason I am never hunting for more when I am in a shop. Even the two albums I have that feature him, Rainbow's Rising and Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell, I constantly forget just how good he is on them. Never owned a Dio album, can't even tell you what one looks like beyond Holy Diver.

And that's absolutely crazy because he's probably the greatest heavy metal vocalist who ever lived? There is a notation on the back that, "All lyrics and melodies written by Ronnie James Dio," and that should maybe come off as pompous, but I think it is totally earned. You can hear how much thought goes into his vocals, how he is making choices. I can't think of any other heavy vocalist who displays this much care for craft.

Anyway, I own Holy Diver on vinyl now.

Post Script

After I set up the newsletter last night, a follower on Instagram sent me a message linking to a post from the official RJD account (for no other reason than it involved heavy metal and New Jersey). Turns out, yesterday, the very day I received my very first physical Dio album, was the 15th anniversary of Ronnie's final public performance. The show was in NJ! Spooky!