My Amazon Reviews: Black Sabbath "13"

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4 Out Of 5 Stars

After decades of waiting, 3/4's of the original Black Sabbath (including Ozzy) reunite for what has to be one of the most anticipated CD's of the year, the boomtastic "13." I can testify that it was worth the wait. Producer Rick Rubin told the band to go back to their early albums to get a feel for what he was expecting to produce, and the band took it to heart. This is metal so dense, it cuts like used crankshaft motor oil. It's that heavy.

If you're looking for speedy riff rocking, it's not here. This is the sound that created such anthemic dirges as "War Pigs" or "Sweet Leaf." There's even a touch of Ozzy the blasphemer as he raises the question "Is God Dead?" And they pound that riff into submission for over 8 minutes. Granted, Ozzy's voice is showing its weathering, but Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler still have the magic spooky touch. (Audioslave drummer Brad Wilk fills in for Bill Ward.) "End Of The Beginning" snakes a demented blues riff to kick the album off with a oozing pounce. Or there's "Dear Father," which tackles the subject of abuse.

The band has never been scared of heavier topics, which "Dear Father" and the anxiety provoking "Methademic" show. (Given Ozzy's recent trip to rehab, maybe even closer to home than known.) The band even throws a few touchstones from the old days in when "Zeitgeist" pays homage to "Planet Caravan." Even with that obvious reference, "13" pounds and stomps like the monsters Black Sabbath were at the peak of their powers. The sense of dread and thrill of doom still permeate the best of the songs here, and - despite their age - the band doesn't sound like they are pandering to their past or trying to stay current. "13" is every bit as tasty as "The Devil You Know" (by Heaven and Hell with Dio), just down tuned and packed with 50% more evil.

Worth the wait and better than anyone could have possibly expected at this point in their collective life, "13" is a triumphant comeback. "I ain't no hero to come and save you," Ozzy wails in "Peace of Mind." Well, actually guys, you are. Thanks for saving heavy metal for 2013.

     

My Amazon Reviews: Heaven and Hell "The Devil You Know"

You're Listening to The Bible Black

4 Out of 5 Stars

The unexpected swansong of Ronnie James Dio was 2009's best heavy metal album, a relatively inspired reunion of the late model Black Sabbath. Even if they took the name Heaven and Hell because of legal entanglements over the Sabbath moniker, this is kind of molten lava sludge burning that the quartet excelled on for Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules.

Iommi in particular seems recharged here, his riffing is better than anything since the underrated "Headless Cross." Dio is his usual leather-lunged self and, in a more unusual twist, is not dwelling on his usual dungeons and dragons lyrical philosophy. "Rock and Roll Angel" comes close to that realm, but the bulk of the songs are back to vintage Sabbath looks at the misery of the world, as oblique as the songs may be. This is at an absolute peak on "Bible Black," where an old man finds the ultimate book of evil, but can't escape its demonic lure. Naturally, the band rips into this song like raw steak.

In fact, only twice does "The Devil You Know" falter, and that's on the ridiculous "Eating The Cannibals" and the record company diatribe "The Turn of The Screw." There's plenty of morbid to make up for it, like the creepy organ that opens "Follow The Tears" or the migraine marches on of "Breaking Into Heaven." It's an honorable way to pulverize, and if Dio had to go out on any album, "The Devil You Know" is as good an exit as he could have been associated with.

   

My Amazon Reviews: Dio "The Last In Line"

Jumping ahead of the punters

4 Out Of 5 Stars

After the great "Holy Diver," Dio came back with another hard rocking album. However, it was a minor case of the sophomore slumps. After all, there's only so many times you can use the words stone, fire and rainbow before you're making albums that turn into drinking games.

But the heavy riffing, courtesy of Vivian Campbell, still pulverizes with the best of 80's metal, and the title track rocked a great video. There's the super-speed metal of "I Speed At Night" and the epic riff that carries "Egypt." The band had added a keyboardist and he added to the band's sound, beefing up the title track and turning a good hook in "Mystery," the obvious sounding single.

The single may be the most easy-to-catch evidence that Dio always had a way with melody that the metal often disguised. It's what distinguished "Holy Diver" and "The Last In Line" (but started to overwhelm by "Sacred Heart") from run of the mill 80's hard rockers.

  

My Amazon Reviews: Dio "Holy Diver"

And on the day after the Sabbath...

5 Out of 5 Stars

...Ronnie James Dio created "Holy Diver." Dio was already on a hot streak after pretty much rescuing Black Sabbath for two outstanding albums, but the usual "creative differences" led him to form his own band. He brought white hot Vivian Campbell on as guitarist and nicked Vinnie Appice from the touring Sabbs, along with bassist Jimmy Bain, formed the lineup that recorded this classic album along with almost as incredible "Last In Line."

As most followers had already figured, Dio had a penchant for 'mystical' lyrics about lost souls, dragons, demons and "Rainbow(s) In The Dark." "Holy Diver" is loaded with them, which may have fueled criticism that the album was an aural 80's airbrushed metal van, but time has allowed Dio the room to grow in appreciation. Dio's multi-ranged vocals go from whispers to growls to howls. It's easy to miss just how expressive the guy was as a singer, and there was never a knowing smirk or condescending aside to mark the music as something other than the band's true passion.

Because of this commitment, the songs "Rainbow In The Dark," "Straight Through The Heart," "Stand Up and Shout" and the title track are hard rock classics. Campbell's riffing is every bit as powerful as Dio's singing, matching blow by blow for sheer force. What is missing now is a respectful re-master of this and other Dio albums (perhaps given the same generous treatment Dio's Sabbath era albums have been given). Even with the less than spectacular sound, "Holy Diver" is still an album to be reckoned with.