The last time Black Sabbath played Winnipeg was 1971. Their 1983 show was canceled due to a conflict with the Shrine Circus. Now, almost three decades from their peak with Ozzy Osbourne, I wondered how many people would show up to see the Dio-era Sabbath, now renamed Heaven & Hell. When Dio recorded two albums with Sabbath, Heaven & Hell (1980) and The Mob Rules (1981), he easily breathed desperately needed life into the floundering metal band, the founding band in metal. Dio left on bitter terms with the band and was often quoted as citing the credits on the 1982 live album, Live Evil, which named him as Ronnie Dio, rather than as Ronnie James Dio.
Opening act Down were terrible and quite forgettable, and had no memorable songs. Still, quite a few people in the audience wore Down t-shirts. Down are essentially a "super group" comprised of former members of Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, Crowbar, and Superjoint Ritual. Their three albums are NOLA (1995), Down II (2001) and Down III (2007.) Singer Phil Anselmo had vocal problems and referred to them throughout the set, but the fans on the floor didn't seem to mind at all. I have read other fan reviews of the show and the Down fans thought Heaven & Hell and Megadeth were dreadfully boring while Down ruled!
Megadeth were surprisingly good. Compared to Down, Dave Mustaine and company sounded like a classic rock group. They had a clearer sound and their songs have the right balance of melody and aggression and for the most part, are memorable. Highlights for me included "Wake Up Dead," "Symphony of Destruction." and "Peace Sells. " They are about to release their 11th studio album, United Abominations, and have sold over 20 million albums over their 25 year career. Joining Dave in the band were Canadians Glen (guitar) and Shawn Drover (drums) and bassist James Lomenzo (White Lion.) If Dave had a dollar for every line-up change in the band's history, he'd be richer than he is already. I was quite impressed with this version of Megadeth and I would go see them again.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
I was on the fence, but you've convinced me to give this concert a pass. I saw Ozzy w/Sabbath a few years back at Ozzfest, so I'll wait for them next year.
2 - Triniman
I don't any regrets that I attended but overall, it was a disappointment.
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Considering how old they are, the bootleg I heard sounded pretty damn good. I can agree that the set list was rather dull but I think they may have been limited by the Ozzy camp and Megadeth's set looked rather boring as well.To say that any material from Dehumanizer is second rate comes across as ignorant,again, when they are considerably old for the metal game. Actually, name a band that is at that same age that can rock like them?? I know you can't...
I personally would like to see the Gods of Metal line-up over here anyday than that useless band "Down".
Click Here
4 - JC Mosquito
The Cream reunion DVD has some pretty great moments from some old-ish geezers who might've had something to do with the development of metal.
5 - Triniman
Speaking of Cream, I saw Eric Clapton a few days ago,last week Wednesday. Needless to say, Clapton was stunning on guitar, the best guitarist who I have had the pleasure of seeing. And that's not meant to demean anyone else.
6 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Though I can agree that Cream's DVD was rather good for a Bunch O'Old Dudes, I highly doubt that they influenced Black Sabbath in any way. AND, I'm pretty sure that the current line-up for Heaven & Hell would probably blow the doors off of that train. Toni Iommi hardly gets the credit he deserves as a ripping axeman.
Once and for all, Dehumanizer was the best reunion style CD that Black Sabbath has offered up in over a decade! Probably as close as you could get to Mob Rules without sounding pretentious and still better than any reincarnation that that sloppy f*ck Ozzy ever put together.
Personally, I don't believe that album got the recognition it deserves because they didn't shove it down people's throats like f*ckhead Ozzy does with all of his boring shite!!
*Off My Soapbox*
7 - El Bicho
"I highly doubt that they influenced Black Sabbath in any way."
Really? From a 2001 interview, Geezer Butler "The one bass player that influenced me was Jack Bruce from Cream."
8 - Mark Saleski
i wouldn't let this review stop you from seeing the Dio Sabbath. i don't mean that triniman is wrong, it's just that it's worth seeing Dio belt this stuff out live.
9 - El Bicho
I don't know. I saw him a few years back between Maiden and Motorhead, and was very underwhelmed by RJD.
10 - Mark Saleski
hmmm, maybe he just hasn't aged well. i mean, i saw him on the Heaven & Hell tour...which certainly was a long time ago.
11 - Triniman
I had no problem with Dio's vocal performance. It's the choice of material that made the show less exciting that it could have been.
I have no regrets that I attended the show. If you a fan of Black Sabbath, how could you not go? And at $60, it was easily half the price of most shows that play at the MTS Centre and was one quarter the price of seeing The Who and Crosby Stills Nash and Young.
12 - aaron
3 years later and seeing down once since then, i say you still have to have your face crushed in for what oyu wrote about them. down is the furthest from generic and for a band who released 1 album in 90s and played 12 shows, selling 1 million is amazing. the band is unique southern blues metal from new orleans. phil had flu and still sounded better then the other two bands.