Released: Apr 28, 2009
Genre: Heavy Metal, Doom Metal
Label: Rhino / Roadrunner (Europe)
Number Of Tracks: 10
The album will be the band's first studio release under the name "Heaven & Hell" with the group members having played with each other previously in an earlier line-up of the band Black Sabbath.
The Devil You Know
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on may 01, 2009 8 of 9 people found this review helpful
Sound: I'm personally loving the sound off this album. The first song is Atom & Evil (a play on adam & eve) and it begins with a slow, yet hugely powerful riff from Iommi on guitar. Then Dio comes in on vocals over a chugging heavy riff. The rest of the songs don't fail to impress on this front either, with my personal favourites being Atom & Evil, Rock and Roll Angel, Bible Black and Breaking into Heaven. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: As any true Dio fans know, his lyrics are always straight from the heart right through from the outset, Holy Diver right through Strange Highways and Master of the Moon right up until now. He's back again, singing in his paradoxes as always, "I'm here for you, said the spider to the fly, and when you're through you can open your eyes to see." Only one example from Atom & Evil.
The verses in all of the songs are massively complimented by Iommi and Geezer's heavy chugging riffs and the choruses just as much so, and Geezer's complex bass patterns don't go unheard throughout. // 10
Impression: Overall, it's easily comparable to such early Black Sabbath with Dio albums as Dehumanizer and The Mob Rules due to it retaining the same overall makeup, Geezer Butler on bass, Dio on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar and Vinnie Appice on drums. As I say, my personal favourites are Atom & Evil, Rock and Roll Angel, Bible Black and Breaking into Heaven.
Hopefully this review isn't too biased due to me loving Dio forever, but I've tried to be fair to all partys. Particularly the Dio partys. // 10
The Devil You Know
Reviewed by:
Smitty370, on may 01, 2009 4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Sound: 17 years, since the last album by this line up and 14 years since the last album by Black Sabbath. Now, 'The Devil You Know' hit's selves and what a wait! But it was completely worth it. As you know, Tony, Ronnie, Geezer and Vinny were touring in the Metal Masters tour under the name 'Heaven and Hell' because they were doing Dio-year albums only. No Ozzy, no Martin, just Dio. When they finished, they started working on a new album, 'The Devil You Know', but you already knew that, didn't you? Right? Anyway, this album will go past your expectations, wait for you to catch up, but starts running again because you're too far behind. (I know, kinda corny)
The sound of this album is amazing from the first drum beat to the last chord by Tony and Geezer. When I first put the disc in my stereo, I jumped alittle bit, but that was because the volume was too loud, so I though. I wasn't expecting a good solid intro by Vinny. I was right to the point, hard and heavy. I knew that I was in for a ride. There is no weak song on the album that sounds 'just good', everyone is excellent. Every little void is filled by either Tony or Geezer. The only fault with the sound is Vinny. I'm sorry to say that he is to stiff with the patterns he chooses. Most of the reviews I've read about him rubbed off me that way as well. But at first you will not notice it at all until you pay attention to him. Vinny, though, is still rock solid, just needs to work on some more dynamic patterns. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Maybe some of you know that I don't pay much attention to the lyrics, but I'll give it a shot. 'Fear' is about how we, as a civilization, have evolved, but we are afraid of the creations we make. Now 'Bible Black', I think it means, how region can be very confusing. Referring to the meaning of 'Heaven and Hell' (song), that if you do bad you go to hell, but if you do good, you go to heaven, simple. Now with that being said, we don't know what is good or bad. The bible is a 'blind' guideline to was is good and bad. It's so confusing that this black bible must be the only answer and obsession over it is the only way to do good. Overall, the lyrics for this album fit very well to the tone of the music, religion, human society, the basic lyrical roots that made these guys legends. // 10
Impression: This album is a heavy conclusion to the trio songs of 'Dio-Years'. It's heavy like 'Dehumanizer' and the lyrics are combined of all the albums. Every song is an excellent piece of work. So far I don't have a top, I've just been listen to the whole album but in a different order. Any song you pick will be a good pick. As I mentioned before, the only fault with this album is the stiffness fell in the drums by Vinny, but they are still very rock-solid. I hope H&H decides to come to my part of the world in BC, Canada. I really want to hear this live. // 10
The Devil You Know
Reviewed by:
Viking-Shredder, on may 05, 2009 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Amazing. I don't know what else to say. From the slow impending doom at the start of "Atom and Evil" to the blasting bass groove of "Double the Pain" to the wonderful lyrics of "Breaking Into Heaven" the sound of this band is an impenetrable fortress. I am a huge fan of Tony's playing and he surely doesn't fail here. The beautiful and yet dark solo in "Bible Black" is great. The fast, in your face, solo on "Eating the Cannibals" is well, in your face! The slow solo in "Rock And Roll Angel" followed by the acoustic solo in the same song absolutely blew me away. I have listened to "Rock And Roll Angel" so many times, just because of the solo. Geezer's bass and Vinny's drums are always there pushing the song along. While there are no weak tracks on the album, some just push a little stronger than others. But once you listen to the CD a second, third, fourth, sixtieth, time all the songs spit in your face and say "You will never amount to how amazing we are." // 10
Lyrics and Singing: I could sit here and just type in "Dio" and that should be enough to buy this album solely based on lyrical content. Once again Ronnie's story telling is top notch. As he ages, I swear he is getting better. Not to mention his receding hairline is AWESOME! But let's not get into that. The lyrics are dark, mysterious, magical, and haunting. A caravan of darkness swirls around you as you listen to this man tell stories from dimensions not known. Take a gander at this,
"Far beneath the world we
missed the sun
Why did we believe it shines
on everyone so
Now we're here to take away your light
So you can go forever where
the next day's still tonight."
Ronnie never fails to blow my mind, and I honestly believe this CD has the best lyrical content he has ever produced. // 10
Impression: I work at the local movie theater on an Air Base in Turkey. So the store here doesn't get many good products. So while I was working, a few buddies of mine busted through the door and said, "Hey man, the BX has Heaven and Hell!" My mouth fell open and I threw money at them as they rushed off to buy it for me. When they got back and gave me the CD, I started reading the lyrics on my break... I don't know why I even try in this life, all the glory has been taken by these guys. The lyrics absolutely melted my face on the spot. Once I got home that night, I put in the CD, and from the first drum beat to the last guitar solo, I was astounded at the sheer power the band throws in your face. And when I say powerful, I am saying sick, twisted, demented, beautiful, deadly songs straight from Hell.
"Heaven and Hell truly is 'The Devil You Know'" // 10
I'm not a very big fan of Dio but I love this album. I could listen to it all day just for the music. It has a very powerful sound, which I like very much. I'd rather see a new Black Sabbath album with the original line up. But this will do for now.
Great album, Dehumanizer is one of my favourite CD's and this is just awesome, as the other guy said, very powerful. Can't wait till they come to Manchester!
I guess I'm the only realistic one here. The album is "meh" at best. I was actually disappointed. It seemed rushed for as long as they took.
i agree, it hasnt got that kick what heaven and hell/mob rules did
The album has got a very dark and doomy atmosphere, it's slow and haunting. Yes, it's different from Heaven and Hell, but it's great in it's own way!
I thought this album was great. But, maybe rate it a 9 and not a 10. On the first listen, the only tracks that stand out are the Double the Pain bass lick and Rock and Roll Angel solo (and headbanging rhythm under solo).
After the tracks defined themselves, it was so hard to pick a favorite. And the reason I would rate it 9/10 is because Nevermore isn't that great of a track.
Favorite song: Atom & Evil
Solo(s): Bible Black
Rhythm: Rock And Roll Angel (heavy riff under solo)
I'd say 8.5/10. It doesn't have the same polish as Heaven and Hell or Mob Rules, but is definitely better than Dehumaniser, which was still a very solid album.
Its a gr8 album, I really love Fear, Bible Black, Double The Pain & Eating the Cannibals, there isnt any weak song on it, just some average moments at the worst. Iommi truly is a never ending well of divine riffs, and I dont need to say anything about RJDs voice and Geezers masterful basslines. Thou iґts hell of a gr8 album, not worth a 10/10 (only few albums are in my books), I would say about 9/10. Sabbath (yes,yes) is back - and in a glorius, triumphant form.
1st of, this hole "Heaven and Hell" sh*t is eexactly that, pure bullsh*t. EVERYONE knows that this is Black Sabbath.
ok now for the new record.
Sound = best ive heard from ANY Sabbath record (10)
Lyrics / Singing = its Dio, nough said (10)
Impression = this album is gonna be a pure Sabbath classic
few others...
Guitar and Bass = was better riffs and kickass harmonies from Iommi and Butler
I severely underestimated this album. I bought it, and when I played it, I was blown away. It's so much heavier than I expected. A must have for any metal fan.
I remember reading the Rolling Stone review of this album and for some reason believeing it. I just recently decided to check out this album and I can't stop listening to it. Great lyrics, great singing, great metal - RIP Dio!
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