Look up heavy metal vocalist and you'll probably find a picture of Ronnie James Dio. Few vocalists in the history of rock have been as closely linked to the aforementioned style as Dio (OK, besides Rob Halford), as his operatic vocals obviously paved the way for a legion of metal singers to follow in the '80s. And with a sudden nostalgia rush for all things '80s in the early 21st century, what better time to issue yet another compilation of solo-era Dio -- 2003's The Collection. If you're looking for a single-disc overview of Dio, then this 18-track set certainly fits the bill, as such selections as "Holy Diver," "Rainbow in the Dark," "The Last in Line," and "Sacred Heart" would serve as the perfect soundtrack while playing Dungeons & Dragons. While latter-day era tracks ("Dream Evil," "Wild One," etc.) are included, it's the earlier rockers that prove to be Dio's finest. The only thing preventing The Collection from being a definitive Dio collection is that no tracks from the singer's Rainbow or Black Sabbath eras are included (both bands that he briefly fronted). If you're a newcomer to Dio's metallic tales of swords and sorcery, then The Collection is an adequate starting point. ~ Greg Prato