Review: Heaven & Hell

The Devil You Know

Heaven & Hell has come to earth and it’s a very dark and scary place. The bands debut album titled “The Devil You Know“  is heavy, very heavy. Why shouldn’t it be, Tony Iommi the undisputed godfather of  heavy metal is at the helm and he is still the metal riff master.

Instant Heavy Metal Classic.

This album is heavy metal music at it’s best, it would have been huge in the late 60’s, early 70’s during the birth of metal, but is fresh new material for the 21st century and we should consider ourselves lucky this project even took place, it almost didn’t. Originally the collaboration between Dio and Iommi was to yield only two songs for a project called ”Black Sabbath: The Dio Years” in 2005. But after recording three songs and doing what was to be a one time only tour, the boys decided this was something special and agreed to record an entire album.

Tony Iommi

Ronnie James Dio, the ageless one has got to be one of the greatest metal vocalist ever. His singing on this album is vintage Dio,  strong and passionate with a great story telling ability, it’s as if he’s singing directly to you. These two (Iommi and Dio) are a match made in metal heaven, or hell or both. I believe this is their greatest album together, ever. Geezer Butler’s bass lines, as usual are spot on. Vinnie Appice, a veteran rock drummer and on again off again member of Black Sabbath throughout it’s history is perfect for the band. He and Butler make for a hard driving rhythm section that is as powerful as Iommi’s monster riffs.

The first single “Bible Black” will take you to a place where you don’t want to go, it’s a spell binding story of certain death from reading the “Bible Black“.  This album is a must for all hard rock and heavy metal fans.

Rating: 4-1/2 stars out of 5

Ronnie James Dio

Favorite Track: “Double The Pain”

All songs written by Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio and Tony Iommi.

1. “Atom and Evil” – 5:15
2. “Fear“– 4:48
3. “Bible Black“– 6:29
4. “Double the Pain“– 5:25
5. “Rock and Roll Angel“– 6:02
6. “The Turn of the Screw“– 5:02
7. “Eating the Cannibals“– 3:37
8. “Follow the Tears“– 6:12
9. “Neverwhere“– 4:35
10. “Breaking into Heaven“– 6:53
11. “I (live)” (iTunes exclusive Bonus track) – 6:30
12. “Die Young (live)” (iTunes exclusive Bonus track) – 6:46

2 Responses to “Review: Heaven & Hell”

1. Sabbatical says:

   May 24, 2011 at 6:12 am

   Thousands of metal bands around the world have been dreaming of creating a ‘mediocre album’ like The Devil You Know, but they have been unable to come even close …
   The Russian Black Sabbath Fan Club
2. Eric The Bad says:

   August 26, 2009 at 9:51 am

   Its almost impossible to believe that Ronald (Padavona) Dio is 67 years young… I mean, the guy is pushing 70, for real! Its apparent that this intelligent, educated man has taken good care of himself, not falling into the rock & roll temptations of hard drugs and alcohol abuse. I agree with “Double The Pain” being the best track, but the slow speed, spooky, drudging-dragging songs seem a bit tired and worn out to me. Its certainly not the “Feel Good album” of the Summer!