Ronnie James Dio will be doing some live shows with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward under the name Heaven and Hell early in 2007. While Dio-era Sabbath may not be as popular as the Ozzy material, Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules, and Dehumanizer are still excellent albums and I'm thrilled the band has decided to play these songs again. I like the Ozzy years of Black Sabbath as much as the next guy, but it would be nice to hear the band play something besides "War Pigs", "Paranoid", and "Iron Man".
Ozzy Osbourne's camp issued a statement declaring tthis reunion has "nothing to do with Black Sabbath," although I suspect the statement actually comes from Sharon Osbourne, who seems to have a problem with Ronnie James Dio. The statement also mentions a new studio Black Sabbath album with Ozzy coming in 2007, although considering there have been rumors of Ozzy recording a new album with Sabbath since the early '90s, I doubt this alleged album is going to be recorded any time soon.
Heavn and Hell may not bring in the crowds that Ozzfest does, but considering how Ozzy's stage performance has deteriorated in recent years, this may be many fans' only chance to see Black Sabbath with a front man who actually remembers the lyrics to the songs. No tour dates have been released yet, but having seen Dio in concert a couple of years ago, I can tell you this is sure to be a real treat.
Article comments
1 - Donnie Marler
Chris, Heaven and Hell is one of my all-time favorites!
I still have my vinyl firmly tucked away with the rest of the evidence of a somewhat misspent youth. Great stuff.
2 - Vern Halen
The 2nd & 3rd Rainbow albums, RJD on lead vox, were pretty good. Somewhere along the way, however, Dio became a caricature of metal, as did many other metal bands of the same era. H & H was a pretty decent album too.
3 - JR
Vern Halen: Somewhere along the way, however, Dio became a caricature of metal...
Probably when he fought that mechanical dragon on the Sacred Heart tour.
Still, for me nothing can negate what that man contributed to music. Arguably the greatest metal vocalist ever.
4 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Sharon Osbourne, who seems to have a problem with Ronnie James Dio.
Sharon has a problem with anyone who releases better Metal albums than her brain dead hubby.
And, just because Mr. Ronnie James Dio can still whale with his pipes doesn't mean that the Ozzy camp has to show their true colors(Green)!!
F*ck the Black Sabbath moniker... Heaven & Hell sounds kick ass to me and this show is gonna be better than anything that lame ass Ozzfest could ever bring.
*BTW* Dehumanizer was one of the best Metal albums period, especially in a time when everyone was sucking on Cobain's teat!
5 - Connie Phillips
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6 - Mark Saleski
i saw Sabbath on the Heaven & Hell tour and it was glorious. love that record.
7 - Bernie
I too saw the Heaven and Hell tours as well as Mob Rules and Dehumanizer. Ronnie did a fair job on the classic Sabbath stuff, but I hope that they stick to a Dio era set. Some new material would be nice too. It'll be interesting to hear how Bill handles the Vinnie Appice stuff. Maybe we can get Ian Gillian to do a few dates too.
8 - Vern Halen
Gillan - one of the best lead screamers in history.... except his short tenure with the Sabs was terrible. Born Again was incredibly disappointing to me - two great musical forces that were simply not suited for each other. And the album cover looked amateurish at best.
9 - sabbra666
This is sure to be fantastic, no doubt about it. But I have to say that I wish Ozzy would show a bit more respect. Yes, I love the Ozzy material. But Black Sabbath didn't stop writing fantastic songs when Ozzy crashed out. I for one would love to hear him singing H&H - but just ain't gonna happen is it?
Anyway, good luck to the rest of the guys.
10 - Mrglisteny
Dio was the greatest heavy metal singer. Period. Unfortunately thant period has passed, and Dios range is now that of a common mortal.
11 - mick
what a great idea this colaberation is ! open with stargazer and finish with heaven and hell ! get tony martin in to support , he deserves a helping hand !
12 - VanOmen
I dont think people should stoop to sharon's level and bash ozzfest. Seriously, shes lame. Its a fact. But I also know for fact that ozzfest is a great time. Its probably my most anticipated day of each and every year. Rock and Roll!
13 - Mobile
is ozzy actualy in Black sabbath or is he out? im confused