|
"The Devil You Know" is the (19) Black Sabbath
studio album (their first album since 1995), as well as
the fourth to feature a Dio-fronted lineup. It is the first
album this formation of the band has released under their
current moniker, Heaven and Hell. ***
Ronnie James Dio first joined Black Sabbath in 1979,
following the departure of Ozzy Osbourne. During his first
stint with the band, he recorded two studio albums – Heaven
and Hell and the Mob Rules, as well as a live album, Live
Evil. He departed the group for start his own band in 1982.
A brief Dio Sabbath reunion occurred in 1992, which resulted
in a third studio album – Dehumanizer. The lineup reformed
yet again in 2006 to record three new tracks for a “Black
Sabbath’s Dio Years” compilation, and promised a new studio
album to follow. The band now uses the name Heaven and Hell
(most likely to differentiate themselves from the more-familiar
Ozzy version of Sabbath) and delivered the promised album
in Spring of 2009. ***
If you’re reading this review, the question on your
mind is obviously, is this album any good? Well, let me
be the first to tell you that Dio and the boys don’t fail
to please. This is vintage Dio Sabbath, and it sounds like
it could have been recorded during the group’s first stint
together in the early 80s. If you’re expecting something
radically different or unique from their earlier stuff together,
you won’t find that here. This is just good old-fashioned
heavy metal, Dio-Sabbath style. ---
Atom and Evil: A great way to start the album. This
instant classic sounds like a cross between (the songs)
Black Sabbath and Heaven and Hell. A slow-paced, gloomy
metal anthem, it gives the album the strong start it needs.
***
Fear: Another gloomy, heavy tune. And another excellent20one.
Once again, the whole band gets chance to shine, and Iommi
gets an obligatory solo near the end. You don’t need to
“Fear” anything – this is an awesome song. ***
Bible Black: The “hit” on the album, and rightfully
so. It starts slow and peaceful, with acoustic guitars,
but that doesn’t last long – it quickly erupts into vintage
Dio Sabbath, rocking hard as only they can do. This song
would have been right at home on any one of the old Dio
Sabbath albums. ***
Double the Pain: Straight-up hard rock. It’s Dio doing
what he does best, and his vocals particularly20shine on
this one. Great work from the entire band. ***
Rock and Roll Angel: The band shows why they are, you
guessed it, rock and roll angels. It’s mostly a straightforward
rocker, but there’s some acoustic stuff thrown in the mix
as well. The outro to the song is reminiscent of that of
(the song) Heaven and Hell. ***
The Turn of the Screw: Probably my favorite song on
the album. It sounds very similar to Lady Evil from (the
album) Heaven and Hell, but there are elements of other
parts of Dio’s career in there as well. A great-sounding20track
that sticks with you long after it’s done. ***
Eating the Cannibals: Were you afraid there wasn’t going
to be a fast and furious rocker on the album? Fear no more.
This song accomplishes that and then some. Straight-up,
fast, hard and heavy – it’s everything you could want in
a Dio Sabbath song. All in all, it’s quite reminiscent of
the Dio Sabbath classic Neon Knights. ***
Follow the Tears: Slow, gloomy, and heavy. This one
features superb keyboard work from the oh-so-underrated
Scott Warren in its intro, and from then it beco mes a top-notch
rocker. Another great song. ***
Neverwhere: A nice mix of fast heavy stuff and gloomy
melodic stuff. This is an awesome rocker that has the best
of both worlds. ***
Breaking into Heaven: The album ends on a gloomy, heavy
note. A nice anthem that sounds like it could have been
an outtake from the Dehumanizer sessions. All in all, Dio
and the boys finish off the album in fine form. ---
Final Words:
The Devil You Know is an excellent album from these
talented musicians, and it doesn’t fail to please. Even
at 66, Dio is still going strong and rocking harder than
most men half his age. Iommi, Butler, and Appice are all
in fine form here. This is the first album from these musicians
in nearly two decades, and this reviewer is certainly hoping
it won’t be the last. The Devil You Know is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
to any fan of classic heavy metal.
|
