Best Remaster CD of Holy Diver?


I see there seem to be two or three versions: 2005 with bonus interview, 2012 Deluxe 2 Disc, and what appears to be a 2103 Japanese import of the 2012 Deluxe version.  Great album, but the original 1983 mix by Dio himself suffered from his compressed and upper midrange-only sound.

Are there substantial improvements in the remasters?  Which is best?

Thanks,  OGOgre
ogogre

Showing 4 responses by ogogre

I meant 2013 version.  Presumably by 2103 music will be downloaded directed into cerebral cortex a la Johnny Mnemonic, LOL.

I saw RJD on twice on the Heaven and Hell tour in '80 or so and then again on the Holy Diver tour in '83 or '84 (when I watched the sound check and met Jimmy Bain, Vinnie Appice, and Vivian Cambell -- Ronnie stayed at the hotel and didn't usually soundcheck anymore).  Great singer, great songwriter, great showman, but tin-eared when he acted as producer during the EQ'ing. Lots of compression and lots and lots of, I'm guessing, 500-1500 hz.  Holy Diver in particular sounds like it was re-amped through a small transistor radio, which is too bad, because IMO it is among RJD's very best work, along with Heaven and Hell, Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, and Rainbow Rising.  Those last three were quite well recorded and mixed, I think.

OGOgre
Your '85 version would be the first or second CD pressing, but the original mix. 

OGOgre
Got it!

If anyone is still paying attn., the 2005 remaster, the one with the 16 page booklet and an audio interview with RJD is amazing.  All of that nasty compression is gone, and the EQ is excellent.  The credits say the digital remaster was done by Gary Moore and engineered by Craig Goldey.

The 2013 one might be the same remaster or a different one, and it might be even better, but this is excellent.

OGOgre
It's all over "The 'Bay", so to call it.  I paid $15.99 including shipping for it new.  It is the CD that, if new, has a large red sticker on the front detailing the booklet, remaster, audio interview, etc.  It is not at all rare.

The mix is MUCH better than the original 1983 one.