Heaven & Hell – The Devil You Know

1. Atom And Evil
2. Fear
3. Bible Black
4. Double The Pain
5. Rock And Roll Angel
6. The Turn Of The Screw
7. Eating The Cannibals
8. Follow The Tears
9. Neverwhere
10. Breaking Into Heaven
The fourth studio album of Dio, Iommi and Butler and the third one with Vinny Appice, is released under the name of , named after the first Black Sabbath album with Dio. To be freed from confusion with the also active line up of that metal institute (Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne) they chose this name. At first it wasn’t planned to record a new studio album but after the big success of the compilation album “The Dio Years”, “Live In Radio City Music Hall” on CD and DVD and “The Rules Of Hell” (box set) it simply would have been a shame not to carry on. The metal world still needs these bands so it seems, both as a beacon and a flagship. And as long as the musicians are still physically able to continue they certainly will.
There’s no lack in creativity, that’s for sure while listening to “”. Blessed with a heavy and colossal sound ten tracks pass us by. Even though not all tracks are equally strong, one still can’t deny that the comeback is successful. Listen to songs like “Atom And Evil”, the tension build up in “Bible Black” and the up tempo thunder crackers “Eating The Cannibals” and “Neverwhere”. Ronnie James Dio in top shape, Geezer Butler with his bass foundation, Vinny Appice’s pounding drums and of course the master himself; Tony Iommi’his riffs never sounded so god damn heavy in an album production. That wall of sound that raises itself, those riffs that are sent through the strings it’s almost touching to hear. “” may need some time to come to full fruition because of the unfortunate running order of songs (the up tempo songs are put too far back) but the true excellence shines through eventually. Leave that to the masters! I’m very curious to see and hear what will happen at the festival appearances where will perform this season.
2LP album
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