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Holy Shi...... Diver – of course. Little man once again real big again in the truest sense of the word. In 1984 I've seen Dio live for the very first time on the Holy Diver tour. And to be honest, not much has changed since, - neither the physical height nor the huge condition. Yep, okay, the band is a different one. But that's not the point really. The point rather is the fact, that our little one still got this great voice. Dun no how he's done it over all those years to keep it in this great shape. By asking him before the show, Ronnie just thinks of a bit talent he's inheritated. 
No supportact tonight because of some internal handycaps.  Never mind.... 

But by starting the set with 'Children Of The Sea' nobody is asking anymore for more, but is listening carefully to one of the greatest rocksingers, whoever was born in this genre. Although Mr. Dio always admits, that in first place he's a human beeing and in second place a musician. Alright, this might be true for every day's normal live. But when he's up there on stage forcing his lungs to the limit, then he puts out such a huge aura, it is simply incredible. And like I said before, as small as this  man is, as enormous is his aura. Whereby he never puts himself in the first place but gives his musicians the possibillity to show their abilities. Whether it's the extensive guitarsolo of Greg Goldie or the drum performance of Chris Wright, which are both to be honest a bit too long.
                                                     
But okay, this shall not put a negative aspect on the whole stint over all. Ronnie James Dio is too good, without trying too hard. Songs like  ‚Stand Up And Shout’, the classic  ‚Holy Diver’, or ‚Don’t Talk To Strangers’ and ‚Rainbow In The Dark’ sound like they've been written just two days ago. And we almost don't believe it, that some of them are as old as an average 2 decades timeslot. I'm not sure, whether this impression is up to the timeless contents or more or less up to the brilliant performance. Ronnie James Dio owns sort of a cult status and stands above about many things including the just mentioned time jump. 
                                                                                             
There's only one handycap, which pulls his status down. And that's the sad fact, that the kind of music he makes - classic hardrock has almost no space anymore in his homecountry America. Good for us though, 'cause he's now more concentrating on Europe.
And by the way, beeing in his sixties, this nitingale of Heavy Metal is fit like a sportsshoe - as we say so....

Honestly, I wished, I'll be like that, when I reached this age. And he's the living prove, that Rock'n'Roll is not question of age. Or look at the Rolling Stones and some more of this generation. Through artists like him, this music stays alive - for hopefully many more years. Black Sabbath gets honoured, but also Rainbow doesn't get forgotten. Milestones like  ‚The Man On The Silver Mountain’ and ‚Long Live Rock’n’Roll’ build up the encore. 
To get it straight, we got two hourse of nostalgic moments, but at the same time up to Date Rock'n'Roll - better, more classical as ever and always. And the small great man leaves us 400 souls with 'The Last In Line' and the promise: 'see you soon again ...' 

                       click   here  for Aftershow Schnappschüsse                                                     (shortly I'll put an exclusive interview online)