Murray is the monstrous mascot associated with Ronnie James Dio’s solo career, known for his iconic appearances on album covers and as a central figure in Dio’s visual storytelling. When Dio embarked on his solo career with the release of Holy Diver, Murray was introduced as an evil creature with blood-red eyes, depicted choking a drowning priest with iron chains. This potent imagery fit the dark aesthetic of 80s metal perfectly, capturing the attention of fans while simultaneously provoking controversy among parents. Despite Murray’s menacing appearance, Dio suggested that the Holy Diver artwork could be interpreted in multiple ways, including the possibility that it showed a priest killing a devil, adding a layer of complexity to Murray’s character.
In subsequent albums, Murray continued to embody Dio’s dark and theatrical themes. On The Last in Line, Murray is shown standing above a sea of hellfire, further solidifying his infernal connections. However, Murray’s presence was notably absent on the Sacred Heart album cover, where he was replaced by a dragon named Denzil. This change was part of a larger plan, as Denzil was theatrically slain by Dio on stage during the Sacred Heart tour.
Murray made a return on the Dream Evil album cover, depicted watching over a sleeping girl while night creatures lurk nearby. This image suggested a more ambiguous role for Murray, possibly as a protector rather than a threat. Further deepening his lore, Murray’s real name was revealed to be Murralsee, with a backstory tracing his origins back to the beginnings of Earth. Murralsee fled from a plot by his father to kill him and eventually took a potion that made him sleep for a trillion years. Upon awakening, he befriended Ronnie James Dio. Mishearing his name, Dio called him Murray and drew inspiration from Murray’s stories for many songs.
Despite the introduction of new visual elements in Dio’s later work, Murray has remained an enduring symbol of Dio’s music. He continues to appear on merchandise and compilation albums, maintaining his status as a beloved figure among metal fans. Over 30 years since the release of Holy Diver, Murray’s legacy endures, representing the spirit and artistic vision of Ronnie James Dio.
01 - Cover of “Holy Diver Live”, 2006
02 - Cover of “Holy Diver”, 1883.
03 - Cover of “The Last In Line”, 1884.
04 - Cover of “Killing The Dragon”, 2002.
05 - Cover of “Dream Evil”, 1887.
