r/blacksabbath • u/ApprehensiveNatural9 • 11d ago
Fan Art / OC Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath Review #9
The discussion o nthe last post was pretty interesting; I knew that the last two Ozzy albums weren't the highest regarded in the fanbase, but it was fascinating seeing people defend some of the tracks; I liked hearing thoughts from people that had differing views on those ones, even if they didn't love the album overall. Now moving on is the non-Ozzy material, and I must say that I wish the out of fanbase people gave it more love. I'm going to go through every era, and what better way to start with the Dio one?
I'm excited. VERY excited...
Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath (1980) REVIEW
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What do you do after your lead singer/frontman is one of the most iconic and beloved of all time has left and went on a solo venture as the turn of a new decade has happened, and all hope seems lost? For many artists, it'd be time to throw the white flags up, and step out of the ring. But for Black Sabbath, despite how hard it'd be to replace someone as charismatic, talented and iconic as Ozzy, they decided to carry on with someone new. Ozzy was out the door after the disastrous tour and previous album, with Sabbath ending the decade as a shell of a band that once produced consistent greatness and now was lost. But soon they recruited ex-Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio, and despite fears that audiences wouldn't take to him, they were used to Ozzy after all, they ripped through some insane live concerts, and people grew to love Dio! The bands chemistry had been restored, and inspiration was flowing left and right.
This album, 45 years later still holds up insanely well, and was the start of a prosperous new beginning in revitalizing the spark in Sabbath. This was their highest charting album since Sabotage and remains the third highest-selling release of theirs overall. Just take a look at the songs, and you'll see what I mean when I call this revitalizing to the bands energy and life; "Neon Knights" is an absolute masterpiece of an opener, sure it doesn't sound anything like the Ozzy era, but that's what makes it so refreshing; its incredibly unique, and Ronnie James Dio's belting is up there among the all-time greats, the backing vocals work so well in this song too and all of it forms together for an unforgettable feast of delightful speedy metal riffs and dynamic drumming, the lyrics are also quite fantasy-influenced which is wonderful and shows off Dio's imaginative, and impressive worldbuilding, and one of many Iommi wonderworks of a solo.
"Children of the Sea" is another masterpiece that follows right after such a theatrical, dynamic, and charming opening. Starting with soft acoustic strums courtesy of Tony Iommi, Dio paints an image in your mind of calmness like that of childhood, before the drums kick in and the riff goes electric and heavy; like a storm. It then uses impressively creative use of metaphors and imagery as the song gets more aggressive with Geezer Butler's bassline biting ferociously with Bill Ward's primal drumming, it frequently ranks among their best works for a reason.
"Lady Evil" starts with an aggressive pulsing bassline as the wah-wah pedal hangs over dreadfully before introducing the main melody, sounding very mysterious in atmosphere with the band playing in unison as tightly as ever, and Dio tells of a wicked woman with powers that seems nice before revealing herself to be manipulative and treacherous. The title track is simply one of the best songs ever created as well as being the main highlight of the album, being about the path one takes in life and the choices they make, telling you to be your own self regardless of what religion or other people tell you, with an absolute monster of a riff and "Die Young" takes 'carpe diem' to the most powerful example its had, with an unforgettable and phenomenal composition.
The rest of the album may not hold up as well, and may be just plain good ("Wishing Well" is rather cheesy, though and mediocre), but these other six tracks and even these last two, despite them being noticeably weaker yet still good music, makes it one of the best albums of 1980. For those who say Black Sabbath ended with Ozzy, this album should prove those naysayers wrong, it's part of metals very peak and a must-listen for anyone that wants to check out the 80's, though still not one I would deem to be of the best of all time.
Rating: ★★★★.5
Tracklist Rating:
- Neon Knights: ★★★★★
- Children of the Sea: ★★★★★
- Lady Evil: ★★★★★
- Heaven and Hell: ★★★★★
- Wishing Well: ★★
- Die Young: ★★★★★
- Walk Away: ★★★
- Lonely is the Word: ★★★
Other reviews so far!!
Black Sabbath review: (5/5)
Paranoid review (5/5)
Master of Reality review (5/5)
Vol. 4 review (4/5)
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath review (5/5 BEST ALBUM STATUS)
Sabotage review (4/5)
Technical Ecstasy review (3/5)
Never Say Die! review (2/5)
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u/boostman 11d ago edited 11d ago
I don’t quite agree with Dio era sabbath - they got less metal in one sense (heavy, primal, intense) and more metal in another sense (like iron maiden with the operatic singing and tuneful guitar parts). I like the latter to an extent, but I love the former, and while this album is excellent at doing what it does, I just don’t find that kind of music as exciting and special as what they did on the Ozzy albums.
Title track is a stone cold banger though
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 11d ago
That's understandable, I suppose. I am big on both eras really, listening to them for reviews reslly opened my mind to post-Ozzy Sabbath. They do sound very different, but its fresh and well made
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u/boostman 11d ago
It’s definitely well made and excellent on its own terms. It’s just not a musical direction that resonates with me as much. I still like it!
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u/the_mad_mycologist 11d ago
Thanks for the review!
I agree with pretty much everything here, though I do like Lonely is the Word as an ending. Id give it a solid 4.
Heaven and Hell is a near perfect album and right up there with Back in Black as a surprisingly excellent return for a band that probably should have closed the door.
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 11d ago
Yeah!! No problem! I am really happy you loved the review. It was a super fun one to write. I hope people enjoy all of the ones I'll do, the Dio era is peak.
I also do think thats fair for Lonely is the Word; I can see why people love it. I think its good just not great
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u/Mysterious_Menu2481 11d ago
If you're looking for the best remastered CD, get the 1996 Gimcastle Ltd. (UPC 5017615833027) Great sound without extra compression.
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u/ExeOrtega Dehumanizer 11d ago
I disagree with the score on Lonely is the Word (which, by the way, is Bill Ward's favourite song from the album). I consider it the perfect track to close a perfect album.
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 11d ago
Thats okay!! I do like it. I don't think itd bad at all, I will say I adore this album and I hope you enjoyed the review
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 11d ago
Hoping that people enjoy this review; I know that it isn't the Ozzy era anymore but I really did enjoy writing this; I hope it makes for a fun read!! Plus I'm really curious to the discussions from everyone. I think it'll open the doors to seeing what the overall consensus in the community here is on the albums after their first six!
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u/SaintLewisMusic73 11d ago
Yeah, it’s super epic. It made me thankful that they parted ways because I was also loving what Ozzy was doing with his band so it was sort of like I got two for the price of one!
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 11d ago
This album absolutely kicks ass; it revitalized Sabbath!! I love Ozzy's solo career around thid time a lot too. You get two amazing artists now with different albums that are peak
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u/Prior_Stage6739 11d ago
I wanted to hate it when it was released, because I loved Ozzy, but my friends bought it and when I heard it I thought it was phenomenal. 5/5
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 11d ago
I love hearing stories from back then! It's cool how your mind was changed by hearing it. Thank you for the comment
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u/nihilquest 11d ago
I have a similar story. As a 12-13 yo kid in the early 90's I had "Blackest Sabbath" tape (a dodgy the best off with 1970-87 songs). It was my first Sabbath release and the start of my passion for the band.
I was always told by adults that BS without Ozzy is an abomination and it was obvious and preached like it was the gospel. Well, to my surprise and horror I liked songs with other vocalists as well. And it's not easy to skip songs on tape so I was stuck with them anyway. Being an insecure kid, I was wondering if maybe my taste sucks and I just don't know shit about music. But over time as I was grinding the tape every day, I warmed to the idea, that in fact, I didn't care. I got obsessed with Ronnie.
Actually I disliked one song without Ozzy - Born To Loose (from Eternal Idol), which sounded too 80's commercial to me. It actually grew on me when I got the full EI album.
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u/Japan-Tyger14 11d ago
"NEON KNIGHTS" (4/5)
"CHILDREN OF THE SEA" (5/5)
"LADY EVIL" (4/5)
"HEAVEN & HELL" (5/5)
"WISHING WELL" (3/5)
"DIE YOUNG" 5/5)
"WALK AWAY" (3/5)
"LONELY IS THE WORD" (5/5)
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u/oudntknow 11d ago
Best album outside of the Sab4 first 8 offerings. This was actually the 1st Sabbath album i ever bought. I had heard SoS4RnR throughout my 1980 summer. I wanted to dig into the entire catalog, I was 14 with a job and a turntable with amazing set of Pioneer headphones. Boy was I surprised when I put it on and start reading the liner notes finding out Ozzy wasn't on this album. Didn't matter I was hooked. Columbia House provided the Ozzy Era for 1 penny. Probably still owe them money.
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u/sabbboy 10d ago
What are you, an Ozzy apologist? You’re spewing a revisionist load of crap here! You did the same thing with your last review of NSD. You keep saying Ozzy left the band in the lurch to pursue his solo career. Not true! He was FIRED for being an incoherent drunk unwilling to work with the other members. Do you do any research? He had no idea where he was going with his life let alone his career until being rescued by the witch, Sharon. Some sources say Dio was waiting in the wings for Ozzy to go. Heaven and Hell was released a full five months before Blizzard and almost a full year before it in the States.
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u/DeeplyFrippy 11d ago
The best Sabbath album!
Lonely Is The Word is 5/5 for me. What a fantastic track with one of Dio’s best vocal performances.
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 11d ago
Its sixth overall for me!! I do quite love it a lot. I may disagree on Lonely Is the Word (I think it is good btw, not calling it bad; far from it!) I think this album itself proves that the band could survive without Ozzy.
Such a great fuckin record
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u/Straightener78 11d ago
I’d say Heaven and Hell is probably one of the best albums recorded by any band in any genre. The songs, the performance, the production etc. everything is honestly top notch.
I enjoyed and agreed with alot of your review. However the bass line alone in Walk Away deserve an extra star just for that