Label: Rhino Records
Release date: 03.04.2007
Production: Black Sabbath
Length: 79.27 min
Genre: Heavy Metal
Compilation
Black Sabbath or Heaven & Hell?
I don’t think Black Sabbath need introducing to anyone. They’re one of those late-sixties bands that laid the foundations of heavy metal and embodied the NWOBHM before the term even existed. The classic lineup of Ward, Butler, Iommi and Osbourne still clung to bluesy hard rock patterns on the first records (hell, they were originally called Polka Tulk), but then they drifted further and further away from a genre that was more or less played out by then and turned into heavy metal masters. Success brought drugs, drugs brought louder and louder fights, and in the second half of the seventies Ozzy Osbourne left the band for just a few shows, then quit for good at the end of 1978 (or so it seemed at the time).
His spot went to a little man with a huge voice, Ronnie James Dio, who had already proven his pipes in the supergroup Rainbow and who brought some much-needed freshness to Black Sabbath. First came the commercially smash-hit Heaven and Hell, after which drummer Ward left and Vinnie Appice (Vanilla Fudge) took his place. That lineup then recorded Mob Rules, a similarly successful release commercially, which was supposed to be followed by a live album. Well, by the time Live Evil finally came out, neither Dio nor Appice was in the band anymore, so Bill Ward was back behind the kit, and a surprise – Ian Gillan! Yep, the paths of the giants Deep Purple, Rainbow and Black Sabbath crossed quite a few times.
And why this long intro? Black Sabbath fans know it by heart, and the rest of you at least have a rough idea of all these lineup shuffles. The classic Black Sabbath lineup got back together at the end of the nineties, and this second golden lineup first did so in the early nineties. And now the time has come again… but since the original Black Sabbath were still touring successfully not long ago (and reportedly even recording), Iommi, Butler, Appice and Dio decided to name the new reincarnation Heaven and Hell – after one of the best albums and best songs. And so it wouldn’t stop at just a tour (I’m already looking forward to them warming us up for Metallica on July 5th!!!), they added three brand-new songs to the compilation of hits under review.
The first thirteen tracks remind you why this lineup is so highly rated, respected and loved. Iommi is simply one of the best guitarists ever, and his riffs have no trouble taking their place on the throne next to Blackmore and Page. The rhythm section is rock-solid and devoted first to the guitar and second to that incredible voice! They don’t call Dio the Voice for nothing! The selection could have been better, of course, but it’s good enough to convince listeners to reach for the regular releases of the albums mentioned above.
The Devil Cried is a very noisy track, punchy at first and full of great drum and guitar transitions throughout. The only letdown is the Voice itself. The years have taken their toll, and although it’s still an exceptional voice, compared to the earlier gems it’s just not the same – like the song itself, the voice is a bit rawer. I’d say much the same about Shadow of the Wind, whose intro sounds a little like Iron Man, though it’s graced with a fantastic guitar solo. The closing Ear in the Wall starts off properly charging and keeps going with all that noise, Dio’s voice is generously backed up especially in the chorus, and the complex structure recalls Iron Maiden more than anything. But all of these are traits that defined Dio’s era in Black Sabbath anyway – more complex song structures, speed, punch and unpredictability. Okay, Dio has gotten older, his voice has matured, but he’s still in great shape.
Questions naturally come up – when will the classic Black Sabbath be back on stage? When will a full new studio album from one lineup or the other come out? They clearly don’t lack energy or creative drive! Could the impossible actually happen, and we’ll soon hear Ozzy and Dio together in Black Sabbath??? That would probably be asking too much, but hey, even bigger battle axes have been buried…
author: Rok Klemše
Track list:
1. Neon Knights
2. Lady Evil
3. Heaven And Hell
4. Die Young
5. Lonely Is The Word
6. The Mob Rules
7. Turn Up The Night
8. Voodoo
9. Falling Off The Edge Of The World
10. After All (The Dead)
11. TV Crimes
12. I
13. Children Of The Sea (Live)
14. The Devil Cried
15. Shadow Of The Wind
16. Ear In The Wall
Musicians:
Ronnie James Dio – vocals
Tony Iommi – guitar
Geoff Nicholls – keyboards
Geezer Butler – bass guitar
Vinny Appice – drums
Bill Ward – drums
