Description
Dio – Intermission – Vinyl Record
Intermission by Dio, released in June 1986, is a unique and somewhat underappreciated live EP that captures the legendary heavy metal band during a transitional moment in their career. While not a full-length live album, it delivers a powerful snapshot of the band’s stage presence, while also introducing a new guitarist and hinting at shifts in their sound.
By 1986, Ronnie James Dio had already established himself as a metal titan — first with Rainbow, then with Black Sabbath, and by the early ‘80s, fronting his own band, Dio. The band’s first three studio albums (Holy Diver, The Last in Line, and Sacred Heart) were critical and commercial successes, solidifying Dio’s reputation for combining mythic lyrical themes with melodic but heavy riffs and top-tier musicianship.
Intermission was released between Sacred Heart (1985) and Dream Evil (1987), and serves partly as a stopgap release — hence the name — and partly as a showcase for new guitarist Craig Goldy, who had just replaced Vivian Campbell after creative tensions with Ronnie James Dio.
The live performances were recorded during the Sacred Heart tour in 1985, but Craig Goldy overdubbed new guitar parts in the studio to replace Vivian Campbell’s original live playing — a controversial move at the time among die-hard fans.
Despite that, the sound is tight, heavy, and vibrant, capturing the band’s power in a live setting. Ronnie’s vocals are in top form, and the rhythm section (Jimmy Bain on bass, Vinny Appice on drums) is rock solid.
“Time to Burn”
The only studio track, and Goldy’s proper introduction to fans.A strong mid-’80s Dio song in the spirit of The Last in Line, featuring dark riffs, soaring vocals, and an anthemic chorus. It’s an underrated gem in the Dio catalog.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Children” Medley
A standout moment: this live medley seamlessly blends Dio’s solo material with Rainbow-era classics, giving fans a dose of nostalgia and showing off Ronnie’s deep legacy across multiple iconic bands.
Intermission received mixed reviews upon release — mainly due to its short length (just over 30 minutes) and the re-recorded guitars. Fans wanted a full Dio live album, not a half-measure. However, over time, it has become a cult favorite, especially for those curious about the Goldy era of Dio, and for collectors who appreciate the rare live medley. The EP never charted significantly but remained an important bridge between Dio’s early golden age and the more experimental work that followed.
While it’s not as monumental as Holy Diver or The Last in Line, Intermission is a compelling document of a band navigating change without losing their power. It bridges the classic Vivian Campbell era with the coming Craig Goldy years, while still delivering some of Ronnie James Dio’s most impassioned vocal work.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
King Of Rock And Roll
Rainbow In The Dark
Sacred Heart
Time To Burn
Rock ‘N’ Roll Children (Includes Medley Of Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll And Man OnThe Silver Mountain)
We Rock
