Black Sabbath - Heaven & Hell
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Black SabbathEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2008-10-07
Music Label: Rhino Records
Soundtracks:
- Neon Knights
- Children of the Sea
- Lady Evil
- Heaven and Hell
- Wishing Well
- Die Young
- Walk Away
- Lonely Is the Word
Free Music Notes for Heaven & Hell
Free Music Review: Another "Heaven"ly B.S. offering
Hit: 5 Stars
Considering the fact that 1976's "Technical Ecstasy," and `78's drug-crazed "Never Say Die!," met with mixed reviews and commercial response, and did not come even close to living up with such classics "Paranoid" and "Masters of Reality" (among others), many fans began to doubt Black Sabbath. Yes, they are definitely one of the best heavy metal bands in history, and are also probably the most influential thing ever to happen to the genre, but these two albums exposed them as flawed and human. This rough patch was furthered when the band went on an emotionally draining "Never Say Die" tour, experimented heavily with drugs (and other substances), and even endured their first ever line-up change when frontman Ozzy Osbourne was shockingly fired in 1979. At the time, All of this inner-turmoil begged the question: "Has B.S. run its course?"
Oh, no! Quite the opposite, in fact, because they simply refused to die. Instead, Sabbath retained credibility by putting the regrettable last couple of years behind them, recruiting a new singer/lyricist by the name of Ronnie James Dio (who possesses enormous talent despite being such a little guy - he stands at a mere five feet tall), and kicking out another new record soon thereafter. Naturally, Dio's debut, 1980's "Heaven and Hell" sounds somewhat experimental/different (when compared to most recordings with Ozzy Osbourne behind the mic.) For example, here, Black Sabbath dabble in and draw some influence from the hard rock, progressive, and power metal genres. Plus, an officially full-time keyboardist (Geoff Nicholls) is now on board for the first time. As a result, there are a few more melodic and psychedelic leanings than usual. Even so, "H&H" also marks a return to form because it is still plenty heavy, doomy, and crunchy guitar-oriented, and is arguably the most memorable, aggressive, cohesive, well-written, and consistently good effort we have heard from the Sabbs since the early Seventies. Suffice to say, these five, Birmingham, England-based metal musicians all sounded really hungry, tight, committed, revitalized, and ready to rock.
"Neon Knights," gets the ball rolling quickly. It is a strong opener with tasty riffs, deft leads, brief harmonic sections, and epic and infectious guitar soloing. (Make sure you pay special attention to the last solo, which is the sweetest one of all, clocking in at well over half a minute in length.) The impressive fret work is anchored by a good, grumbling bass bottom, and it is all topped off by Dio's soulful, Bruce Dickinson-like, power metal-derived vocals. "Children of the Sea" offers good contrast to its up-tempo predecessor because it is an ambient and laid-back power ballad complete with a pretty acoustic intro, only a few crunchy power chords, and tons of pensive, top-notch clean singing. Back on the heavier side, "Lady Evil" is a very catchy, sludgy, and bass-driven rocker featuring a monstrous bass intro and a memorable solo from axeman Tony Iommi that will have your fingers itching to play air guitar. The ensuing title song takes the cake for the album's highpoint. This is an epically epic, seven-minute-long piece highlighted by another potent performance from Dio (including irresistible vocal hooks and fist-pumping choruses), occasional solos (some of which are melodic, and some fiery and ripping), thumping drums, and inventive, galloping bass lines interwoven between an adherent, rhythmic, stop-start groove. And, of course, one must not forget to mention this: Some of Iommi's absolute best, and most punishing, sizeable, and unforgettable riffage of all-time. Sure, things get a little more gentle later on (there's even a gorgeous melodic string arrangement at the end). But, for the most part, this tune displays Black Sabbath's meanest and hardest-hitting side. And it is chock-full of one really killer, meaty, visceral, droning, lumbering, downtuned, and distinctly sludgy/doomy guitar lick after another.
"Die Young" is another one of the best songs in the whole bunch. It has an epic scope - it has cool keyboards and harmonizing guitars in its fade-in intro before suddenly gaining ample momentum and becoming almost blisteringly fast. And despite opening up for a proggy mid-section that is strangely reminiscent of Queen, most of the rest of the tune retains surprisingly vicious tempos. In fact, "Die Young" actually verges on near-speed metal territory (thus making Judas Priest frequently come to mind). And make sure you check out its keyboard-abetted breakdown, a wailing guitar outro, and deep and meaningful lyrics, too. (Its subject revolves around consumerism and living a pointless/useless life.) And elsewhere, "Lonely Is The World," with its its ominous overtones, plodding tempos, doomy rhythms, and dense, grinding, lurching riffs, is a somber set closer, and a possible precursor to stoner metal. It is also noteworthy because it finds Iommi lending undeniably bluesy flourishes to the mix when he uncorks another bunch of great, winding, and sometimes screaming solos.
At the time (circa 1980), Black Sabbath knew that they had to not only bounce back, but bounce back sounding as strong as ever. In other words, they essentially had to take the world by storm. Well...they did! Of course, this would not have been possible without the release of "Heaven And Hell," which is proof that, for the first time several years, the spark is finally back. You can hear it; and it is back almost tenfold. As a result, the members recapture all of their other musical magic of old. Granted, this album may not be the cream of Black Sabbath's crop (it doesn't top 1970's "Paranoid"). But it certainly does come close. And it definitely ranks in the top-five the all-around strongest and most memorable things ever to bear Sabbath's name. Plus, if nothing else, the fact remains that "Heaven And Hell" is at least a truly great and timeless heavy metal album; and one that marked a fantastic comeback from the band, thus making it a landmark effort, and a big standout in their discography.
Heaven & Hell Poster
Originally released in 1980, Heaven And Hell is regarded as one of Sabbath's all-time best. It features classics including the anthem 'Neon Knights.' This remastered album features in-depth liner notes including new band interviews.After kicking vocalist Ozzy Osbourne out of the band in 1978, Black Sabbath knew they would have to strike back with a powerful record if they were to retain their credibility. They recruited Elf vocalist Ronnie James Dio, whose melodramatic vibrato shuddered with menace, and in 1980, they released Heaven and Hell, their most potent offering since Master of Reality. Faster and more theatrical than Sabbath's earlier oeuvre, Heaven and Hell features the dynamic seven-minute title track, which builds from a lazy throb to a high-octane roar, and the dynamic "Die Young," which segues from an uptempo saunter to a flamboyant midsection strangely reminiscent of Queen. Although the album helped build Sabbath a younger, more enthusiastic fan base, Dio only remained with the band for one more studio album, after which Sabbath's star slowly began to fade. --Jon Wiederhorn
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