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Black Sabbath, one of the most prominent and influential faces of the 70’s rock topography were, by the decade’s end, a band in disarray. Once the masters of their own reality, the Birmingham four-piece of Tony Iommi (Guitar), Geezer Butler (Bass), Bill Ward (Drums) and Ozzy Osbourne (Vocals), were now battle weary veterans, wearing the deep scars of a near ten year album-tour-album cycle that had left them bereft of any real sense of direction and motivation. The pace of the heavy metal and hard rock scene was now being set by the younger new wave of British heavy metal bands and young upstarts, such as Van Halen invading from the U.S.
Black Sabbath’s previous album, the ironically titled, Never Say Die!, released in September 1978, did little to reclaim lost ground and would transpire to be their final studio recording with their much-loved front-man, who in less than a year, would be unceremoniously sacked for narcotic and alcoholic induced lethargy. To many, the odds on the band continuing in the absence of Osbourne seemed like a wager that no-one in their right mind would take. However, elsewhere in the world another hard rock behemoth was undergoing dramatic changes of equal tumult, the results of which would have a ripple effect upon the world of Black Sabbath with quite dramatic consequences. Ex-Deep Purple guitar maestro Ritchie Blackmore--now impulsive leader of Rainbow--was preparing to re-brand his Anglo-American myth makers into a sleek, chart-troubling troupe of AOR heroes. Ronnie James Dio, Rainbow’s founding lead vocalist whose lion’s roar had taken the band to gold and platinum status soon realised there was to be no place for his Arthurian-lyrical style in this new operation and, like Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne, eventually found himself one band short of a gig. Several phone calls later and a chance meeting in, of all places, the Rainbow Bar & Grill on Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, Iommi invited Dio to join the remaining members of Black Sabbath for an impromptu rehearsal. Within fifteen minutes and one brand new song later (that’s "Children Of The Sea", trivia fans), Black Sabbath had their new lead vocalist in situ, Dio had a new gig and all were once more, ready to roll. The resultant album releases over the next few years elevated Black Sabbath once more to a place of highest regard within elite rock circles.
Such was the chemistry between these players, that two reformations of this Black Sabbath line-up have since been made, the second of which, occurring in 2007, went under the title of that first ground-breaking album, Heaven And Hell, presented here in a remastered deluxe edition package.
Black Sabbath’s previous album, the ironically titled, Never Say Die!, released in September 1978, did little to reclaim lost ground and would transpire to be their final studio recording with their much-loved front-man, who in less than a year, would be unceremoniously sacked for narcotic and alcoholic induced lethargy. To many, the odds on the band continuing in the absence of Osbourne seemed like a wager that no-one in their right mind would take. However, elsewhere in the world another hard rock behemoth was undergoing dramatic changes of equal tumult, the results of which would have a ripple effect upon the world of Black Sabbath with quite dramatic consequences. Ex-Deep Purple guitar maestro Ritchie Blackmore--now impulsive leader of Rainbow--was preparing to re-brand his Anglo-American myth makers into a sleek, chart-troubling troupe of AOR heroes. Ronnie James Dio, Rainbow’s founding lead vocalist whose lion’s roar had taken the band to gold and platinum status soon realised there was to be no place for his Arthurian-lyrical style in this new operation and, like Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne, eventually found himself one band short of a gig. Several phone calls later and a chance meeting in, of all places, the Rainbow Bar & Grill on Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, Iommi invited Dio to join the remaining members of Black Sabbath for an impromptu rehearsal. Within fifteen minutes and one brand new song later (that’s "Children Of The Sea", trivia fans), Black Sabbath had their new lead vocalist in situ, Dio had a new gig and all were once more, ready to roll. The resultant album releases over the next few years elevated Black Sabbath once more to a place of highest regard within elite rock circles.
Such was the chemistry between these players, that two reformations of this Black Sabbath line-up have since been made, the second of which, occurring in 2007, went under the title of that first ground-breaking album, Heaven And Hell, presented here in a remastered deluxe edition package.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A huge return to form - rejuvenated by pint sized wonderthroat Ronnie James Dio exactly as Purple had been by David Coverdale a couple of years earlier. Neon Knights and the title track are classic straightforward Sabbath, Children of the Sea, Die Young and Lonely is the Word married this riff-fest to the drama of Dio era Rainbow beautifully. Iommi's guitar playing takes another step forward here, and his solos throughout are the best of his career. His work on all of the above is almost operatic in scope, drama and fluency.
All together, this was Sabbath's most coherent, consistent and vital album, it showed the so called 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' up for the spotty bed-wetters they really were.
The 2010 remaster adds 1980 live cuts and a dreadful, unremastered mono version of Lady Evil. The live tracks - Neon Knights, Die Young, two different versions of Children of the Sea and - bizarrely - two copies of the same Heaven and Hell (one faded out five minutes before the end) - all stick far closer to the album arrangement than Live Evil takes. Sadly, as fans commented at the time, Bill's disillusion with the band at this point (the live tracks were mostly recorded 9 days before he quit) is evident in his playing, which is unadventurous, often replacing studio flourishes with straight beat-keeping.
The production on the live songs is very compressed and raw, like an untreated soundboard recording - which the new tracks may in fact be. One version of each of the doubled tracks, however, is taken from a released single. I presume they just couldn't track down the original recordings - which makes me wonder why they didn't replace one of duplicated Heaven and Hells with, say, a live version of Lonely is the Word, criminally dropped from the setlist once Vinnie Appice joined the band.
The sound quality is quieter - and somewhat less punchy - than the 2004 Sanctuary release. You notice it straight away on Neon Knights, which sounds less brutal, full-on and remorseless. Like The Doors remasters, maybe 80s Sabbath doesn't benefit from too much retrospective polishing. In any event, turning up the volume solves most of the problem.
Overall it has to be 5 stars - the music is fantastic, the extras are worth having, the packaging is great and the price excellent.
All together, this was Sabbath's most coherent, consistent and vital album, it showed the so called 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' up for the spotty bed-wetters they really were.
The 2010 remaster adds 1980 live cuts and a dreadful, unremastered mono version of Lady Evil. The live tracks - Neon Knights, Die Young, two different versions of Children of the Sea and - bizarrely - two copies of the same Heaven and Hell (one faded out five minutes before the end) - all stick far closer to the album arrangement than Live Evil takes. Sadly, as fans commented at the time, Bill's disillusion with the band at this point (the live tracks were mostly recorded 9 days before he quit) is evident in his playing, which is unadventurous, often replacing studio flourishes with straight beat-keeping.
The production on the live songs is very compressed and raw, like an untreated soundboard recording - which the new tracks may in fact be. One version of each of the doubled tracks, however, is taken from a released single. I presume they just couldn't track down the original recordings - which makes me wonder why they didn't replace one of duplicated Heaven and Hells with, say, a live version of Lonely is the Word, criminally dropped from the setlist once Vinnie Appice joined the band.
The sound quality is quieter - and somewhat less punchy - than the 2004 Sanctuary release. You notice it straight away on Neon Knights, which sounds less brutal, full-on and remorseless. Like The Doors remasters, maybe 80s Sabbath doesn't benefit from too much retrospective polishing. In any event, turning up the volume solves most of the problem.
Overall it has to be 5 stars - the music is fantastic, the extras are worth having, the packaging is great and the price excellent.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
If, like me, you thought this was a great album and were tempted to replace your old vinyl/cassette (or even earlier CD) copy with this then do yourself a favour and check out the sample of the second disc first. One reviewer remarked that the live material sounded like an untreated soundboard recording but it's simply nowhere near that good. There have been many of these re-releases that feature some superb bonus material, however this is not one of them. Otherwise the remastered disc one might be enough to ensure you part your cash.
As for me? Well, as it's going onto the iPod, I may just buy disc one as a download (8*69p) and save some pennies.
As for me? Well, as it's going onto the iPod, I may just buy disc one as a download (8*69p) and save some pennies.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Some other reviewers already have mentioned that this CD sounds less loud than some of the previous edition. This is true and it is a good sign, because it means that the dynamic range of this recording has not been compromized in order to make the CD sound louder (each decent stereo has a volume control knob to make the playback sound louder). This is a wonderful mastering job by Andy Pearce and it's one of the rare examples of modern remasterings where the vicious circle of the loudness war has been broken. Kudos to Andy Pearce and Sanctuary/Universal for allowing a modern remastering to have full dynamic range retained.
Besides the nice dynamics of this new mastering, the EQ choices are also pleasant and this CD does not sound as harsh as some other CD versions of this album. This new mastering is also better than the first or second Japanese CD pressings which are usually sought after by collectors also for sound quality. Prices on the used market for these old and rare CD versions should drop somewhat because this new mastering should satisfy all audiophiles who care about sound quality.
The bonus material on disc 2 is interesting but it doesn't sound that great, especially the first two live tracks have a rather poor sound quality. It is still listenable but certainly not great. These rare live versions are still very welcomed and are certainly interesting for the collector. The live tracks on the second half of the bonus disc sound slightly better but still not great.
For the best available Dio era live material, you need to get the new Deluxe Edition of Mob Rules. I will write a separate review for that one also.
Besides the nice dynamics of this new mastering, the EQ choices are also pleasant and this CD does not sound as harsh as some other CD versions of this album. This new mastering is also better than the first or second Japanese CD pressings which are usually sought after by collectors also for sound quality. Prices on the used market for these old and rare CD versions should drop somewhat because this new mastering should satisfy all audiophiles who care about sound quality.
The bonus material on disc 2 is interesting but it doesn't sound that great, especially the first two live tracks have a rather poor sound quality. It is still listenable but certainly not great. These rare live versions are still very welcomed and are certainly interesting for the collector. The live tracks on the second half of the bonus disc sound slightly better but still not great.
For the best available Dio era live material, you need to get the new Deluxe Edition of Mob Rules. I will write a separate review for that one also.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
This Album Is Heaven
Despite a decline in record sales, many people were still hopeful that Black Sabbath could get their act together. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dylan The Metalhead
was the second disc worth it?
I first saw RJD at Hammersmith Odeon in May 74 supporting DP. The penny didn't drop then, but it sure did on hearing Rainbow Rising. Read more
Published 22 months ago by clive robey
Mistake
I've spent a lot of time deliberating which version is more worth buying: ordinary or deluxe edition. Read more
Published 22 months ago by wojor
Excellent
The album and the followup Mob Rules is Black Sabbath at their very best, and these deluxe editions are a nice touch to complement the old LP version.
Published 23 months ago by M Svendsen
Heaven And Hell
It's edition is one of the best Deluxe edition , you must have for Classic rock fans !!
Published on 20 May 2010 by Budiharto
Muffled
Is it me, or does this CD sound muffled? The 2008 Rhino reissue is much louder and punchier. This one sounds like someone threw a blanket over the music. Returning this one.
Published on 15 April 2010 by Vincent G. Marino
fantastic album:pointless reissue!!
This is a fantastic album,most of you will know that all ready,its not only the greatest Sabbath disc ever IMHO,but also one of the best heavy rock albums period. Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by Mr Blackwell
An Essential Album
I HAVE ONLY JUST BOUGHT THIS ALBUM AS THE NEW DELUXE REMASTER AND I AM PLEASED TO SAY THIS ONE OF THE BEST OF THE REMASTERS TO APPEAR SO FAR. Read more
Published on 8 April 2010 by Mr. Andrew Mant
One of the greatest albums of all time.
Yeah my lofty title seems like hyperbole. But unlike that Oasis album this actually IS possibly the greatest Brit album of the past 30 years. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2010 by Mark Haynes
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