 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heaven And Hell
The Devil You Know
(Rhino Records)
When legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio once again departed from Black Sabbath in 1992, many--myself most definitely included--found it unlikely (if not outright improbable) that the diminutive frontman would ever again join forces with Iommi and Butler. However, following the release of 1994’s woefully underrated Cross Purposes and the utterly abysmal disaster that was 1995’s Ernie C-produced Forbidden (both of which were helmed by the ever-capable Tony Martin) and an embarrassingly prolonged and unfruitful reunion with The Prince Of Darkness, rumors that the trio would again work together soon began to circulate. Now, seventeen (!) inexplicably long years after the public at large was last graced with a studio recording from the notoriously ‘doomful’ line-up, the frequently ferocious foursome has unleashed their newest offering The Devil You Know.
On the brilliant The Devil You Know (2009), an expertly assembled ten song collection of ingeniously executed Heavy Metal, each track, beginning with the wryly-titled lament “Atom And Evil”, and the thunderous first single “Bible Black”, instantly commands the rapt and undivided attention of even the most jaded and unimaginative of listeners. Wisely disproving the few misguided souls who doubted the aging veteran’s abilities to ‘…continue where they left off…’, the group effortlessly capitalizes on the tidal wave of cautiously optimistic momentum initiated with the release of 2007’s stunning Live At Radio City Music Hall. Engulfing even the most die-hard of completists amid a seamless, mostly mid-tempo barrage of mournful, wailing vocals, searing fretwork and impossibly punishing rhythms, the group again flexes their considerable creative muscles.
Continuing with the rumbling, oft-thought-provoking “Double The Pain”, and the maddeningly infectious “Rock And Roll Angel” (which despite being thoroughly impressive, is oddly reminiscent of Dio’s curiously varied solo career), the newly rejuvenated combination of vocalist Ronnie James Dio (ex-Rainbow), guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Terrence ‘Geezer’ Butler and drummer Vinny Appice (Axis, Dio, Rick Derringer and WWIII, to name only a few) steamroll ahead with what can only be described as a carefully calculated ease. Wasting little--if any--time reminding us all of their rightful place(s) amid the fabled hierarchy of the Heavy Metal genre, the group deftly pummels all parties involved with a now-trademark tonality and venomous lyrical vernacular that, while leaving precious little to our imaginations, is ultimately as exhaustive as it is entertaining.
Effectively reaffirming his undeniably well-deserved reputation as the only artistically relevant Black Sabbath frontman, Dio once again guides the improbably long-running group through a veritable wealth of quasi-blasphemous material. As a result, other standouts, including the menacingly epic “Eating The Cannibals”, and the equally impressive closer “Breaking Into Heaven”, drive home each key focal point with a delightfully resurging vengeance that somehow improves upon the Platinum-fueled formula of yore. Most definitely not for the faint of heart or weak of constitution, the end results--as you may have already guessed--of the group’s obviously painstaking efforts is nothing short of extraordinary, a much-welcomed factor that makes the bowel-churning behemoth that is the mighty The Devil You Know such a truly memorable musical endeavor.
So what, exactly, are you waiting for? Do yourself an indescribably enormous favor and wholeheartedly embrace the insanity while it lasts. Arguably the group’s most formidable effort to date (surpassing both 1992’s obviously well-intended Dehumanizer and 1981’s painfully lackluster Mob Rules), the majority--if not all--the decidedly over-the-top wares contained herein are, without a doubt, quite easily worthy of the highest of critical and commercial accolades. Love ‘em or loathe ‘em, this is the proverbial comeback we’ve all been impatiently waiting for. Thus, if you’ve once again found yourself in search of a refreshingly Old School alternative to the seemingly endless array of ‘mindless din and clatter’ that is so often forced fed en mass, then this, my friends, is quite possibly the brimstone-caked, bloodstained cure the doctor ordered. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Select Discography
The Devil You Know (2009) **
Live From Radio City Music Hall (CD/DVD) (2007) **
Black Sabbath: The Dio Years (2007) *
Dehumanizer (1992) *
Live Evil (1983) *
Mob Rules (1981) *
Heaven And Hell (1980) *
* released as Black Sabbath
** released as Heaven And Hell