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Dio-Era Black Sabbath Reunion, aka Heaven And Hell, Is Official

posted Oct 26, 2006 at 1:45 PM by savagebutcher.  (49 Comments)

Photo of Black Sabbath

Band Photo: Black Sabbath (?)

According to the official Black Sabbath website which directs readers to Ronnie James Dio and Tony Iommi's websites, the Black Sabbath reunion of the Dio era Sabbath is official. The reunion is going under the name of Heaven and Hell rather than Black Sabbath, but does include Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Heaven and Hell is the title of the classic 1980 album they recorded as Black Sabbath. Heaven and Hell are planning to record a new album and start touring early in 2007.

Tony Iommi previously commented on the possibility of further collaborations with Ronnie James Dio:

"We've already written one [new] song together. The reason for that is that there's a release coming out, it's called 'Black Sabbath: The Dio Years' — they've already done one, of course, 'Black Sabbath: The Ozzy Years'; that was the beginning and, really, the best part of it all — but they've decided to do one, again, 'Black Sabbath: The Dio Years', and we wanted to make it a little but more special, not just give you things you've not heard from a live perspective. These are two things you'll never hear again — two new songs. We are going to do that. It's been fun already. The one we've done — the one that I've done with Tony has been really wonderful — just great to realize how magnificent a player he was. You forget that after 10 years at a time that you don't work with someone. So we are gonna be doing that. And I hope you'll like it. I think it'll be great."

Source: Black Sabbath

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49 Comments on "Dio-Era Black Sabbath Reunion Is Official"

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metalthekid's avatar

Member

1. metalthekid writes:

niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

# Oct 26, 2006 @ 5:06 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
2. Dustyn writes:

I Hated the Dio years of black sabbath.

# Oct 26, 2006 @ 6:12 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
3. BodomBastard writes:

this sux...

# Oct 26, 2006 @ 6:42 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
4. rulin kmadd writes:

Hey you biitches im back! Best news i heard all week. I finally get to see this lineup after
all now if they can get ian to sing some Born Again tunes my life would damn near be
complete.

# Oct 26, 2006 @ 7:54 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
5. larz613 writes:

Did u read Ozzy's comments on this? Ha! he said that its only a project and there is only one Black Sabbath! Ha! His f***ing wife(Sharon) owns the name Black Sabbath and that's the reason they can't do it under that name! Im sure she swindled the name away from Tony in his former drug days too.!.....Too bad...as far as I'm concerned, Tony Iommi IS Black Sabbath and he always will be!! Ozzy was just one of the singer's along for the ride......Ha!!!

# Oct 26, 2006 @ 8:17 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
RememberMetal?'s avatar

Writer/Reviewer

6. RememberMetal? writes:

I dunno if I have an unpopular opinion or not but Sabbath for me is the Ozzy years...classic, good and bad albums.....

I love the band itself more than Ozzy or his solo jaunt but the Dio years were kind of a farce to me. The music is still great and Dio is an outstanding vocalist but it just wasn't Black Sabbath to me.

I'm sure they will be able to churn out some great material but the Dio era was just abit more timely feeling than Ozzys stint. I was too young (as in 0-4 years old) when this stage of Sabbath was happening but my dads Sabbath record collection saw me only playing the first 5 records.

# Oct 26, 2006 @ 11:32 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
7. Hardcore in Hell Paso,Tx writes:

Hey there fellow metalheads both versions of Black Sabbath are excellant in their own way! Both versions have influenced many bands today! It's good that Dio reunited with Sabbath and more power to them!

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 12:04 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
8. in shock writes:

as long as there are swords and dragons.....

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 1:12 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
9. godlike writes:

Sabbath has always been Sabbath...from Ozzy,Dio,Ian Gillan...hell even Ray Gillen...It was all the Iommi and Butler combo that made their sound... The different singers put their marks on it but the music was all kick a$$ good ol Sabbbath...
I was a Sabbath fan back in the day..(70s) and thru all the singers I have still remained a Sabbath fan... I personally think Iommi is a fantastic guitarist and Butler is a great bassist.. those two alone are Sabbath no matter who the singer or drummer who is...
As I said before..I think the Dio years produced the two best studio recordings Sabbath ever did.....and Live Evil is undoubtably one of the best live recordings by any metal band ever....!!!!!!

On a personal note.., I have to say that I have thought this "rulin" character was a complete moron but after reading post #4,my opinion is a little different...!!!! and I mean very little !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* the aforementioned comments are only the opinions of the writer

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 7:33 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
10. Carl from Delaware writes:

Ronnie James Dio is metal and what ever band he is in the music will be awsome, Tony and Ronnie put out some great music together. I'm looking forward to this re-union and taking my son to a Dio-Iommi experience. (After all this is a re-union and then I'll look forward too more Dio tunes)

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 8:30 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
11. reynan writes:

sorry not my kind of music

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 10:40 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
deathbringer's avatar

Founder, owner & programmer

12. deathbringer writes:

I definitely favor the Ozzy years of Sabbath (altho I wasn't listening to it when he was in Sabbath either). I enjoyed the boxed set way more than I expected and now I'm curious enough to pick up the Dio-era set as well I think. I really only recall a few songs from post-Ozzy Black Sabbath.

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 3:14 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
13. MerGh writes:

Dio Rocks :) ... Ozzy Can KISS My a$$ ! Black sabbath is all Tony Iommi'a ... Ozzy was just a F***in butcher !

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 6:15 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
14. old skool rocker writes:

Mob f***in' Rules.

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 7:31 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
15. godlike writes:

and it goes on and on,on and on its Heaven and Hell...!!!!!!!!!

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 8:54 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
slayerdisciple's avatar

Member

16. slayerdisciple writes:

i prefiere the ozzy years to the dio years buy i liked them, i liked the dio and ozzy years better then either one of there solo careers tho

# Oct 27, 2006 @ 10:56 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
17. Esco writes:

My favorite Sabbath was the Dio years! I can't wait!

# Oct 28, 2006 @ 3:24 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BLACKDOG's avatar

Supporter

18. BLACKDOG writes:

HELL YEAH !!!

# Oct 28, 2006 @ 4:56 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
19. godlike writes:

OK , ..my question is, what band is worthy of the opening slot..?

# Oct 28, 2006 @ 5:32 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
20. rulin kmadd writes:

ugh why do you say that? Cause i have a little fun with the
emos and the dumbfukks like HOE and Annie who have the
nerve to bash a real metal band and use ebonics to boot?
Shiit dude lighten the fukk up. This is not a university site.
Elitist Jerkoff.

# Oct 28, 2006 @ 8:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
21. A Taste Of Death writes:

Black Sabbath has always been Tony Iommi's band. The are an important part of Metal history and deserve their due respect (even if they were not your prefered genre of music). Anytime, I see former members of any great band reunite - I am interested in what they have to offer. Whether this album is worth the effort, we shall see in the near future. I am looking forward to hearing the music.

# Oct 28, 2006 @ 9:32 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
22. ! writes:

Damn Straight!! RULIN-THE KING OF FUNNY, how the hell are ya?! how's things in aka "sh**sville"?

# Oct 29, 2006 @ 12:21 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
23. eviljesus writes:

The vocal talent of Dio far exceeds Ozzy. Ozzy's a cracker that uses studio simulation to correct pitch. Dio, to this day is strait up. Both were great with Sabbath even though Dio's a better singer. You faithful Ozzy fans should give Ronnie a break. Rainbow left a mark on metal as well. Basically, quit ya b****in!

# Oct 29, 2006 @ 10:21 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
24. godlike writes:

Hey, I agree that Ozzy isnt the best singer out there..and Dio is argueably one of the best...!!! and I agree that Rainbow was an excellent band....however..that band was created by Ritchie Blackmore/Roger Glover.(from Deep Purple)......which coincidently both had a few great singers through the years...and there again like the Sabbath thing...each singer put there own style to the music..but that music was Blackmore/Glover...In my opinion Dio wasnt the best fit in Rainbow..Yes they made some great music. Man on a Silver Mountain is a classic, among others ...although I thought the Joe Lynn Turner years of Rainbow were the best..!!! Rainbow was ALOT more successful during the early to mid 80s with him...actually at the same time Dio was with Sabbath...what a small world...!!! In the "Family Tree" of metal begining in the in the late 60s thru early 70s...Deep Purple and Black Sabbath had a HUGE impact on the next 20 years of metal...between the different singers for each band..and then those singers had solo careers,which involved some of the greatest shredders of all time...it just goes on and, on and on....Its like Heaven and Hell .....

* the aforementioned comments are only the opinions of the writer...

# Oct 29, 2006 @ 11:07 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
25. Christoph3h writes:

Let's just say Sabbath is way better off with Dio. The so called "Heavy Metal" music wasn't made until Dio joined the band. Those 4 together was an awesome band. Dio sounds like a metal God...not a crying drunk. So god bless Dio and Sabbath and I wish them the best on Heaven Hell...at least their doing something new.

# Oct 29, 2006 @ 5:11 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
26. Terminator writes:

wrong-- prior to dio sabbath was the first DOOM METAL band (excluding their time spent as a blues band). True, they did have some stuff thats more hard rock/almost pop, but the majority of what they wrote was metal. more so than say led zepplin (who i classify as pure hard rock, not metal. but certainly an enormous inspiration in the future development of the genre). Sabbath crossed the boundary into metal where zepplin stayed at the edge. Dio has always been a favorite singer of mine. And with dio, who had a collectively different style of singing compared to ozzy, they played a different type of metal. i like all sabbath--even with the three or four singers that have seemingly been erased from sabbath memmory. this Heaven and Hell project is going to kick a$$ regardless. cant f***ing wait. |,,| |,,|

# Oct 29, 2006 @ 5:54 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
27. Terminator writes:

Christoph3h-- sorry, i kind of sounded like an a$$hole. i dont disagree with you entire post, just with the "so called "Heavy Metal" music wasn't made until Dio joined the band" part. i agree with the rest of it.

# Oct 29, 2006 @ 5:56 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
28. godlike writes:

OK....so its official.....The Mob Rules.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

# Oct 29, 2006 @ 6:22 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
29. rey vee writes:

it is true there is only one black sabbath and that ozzy is the true singer but Dio is one hell of a singer too,i've heard Iron man and NIB with DIO and it doesn't sound right, but HeVEN AND HELL was a very good album and Dio does a good job with sabbath on that album, same thing with Ian and the born again album.

# Oct 30, 2006 @ 4:21 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
jnsguts's avatar

Member

30. jnsguts writes:

listen to those same songs recorded live on the live evil cd, dio does them much better on that version than on h&h...HIMMM!!!!

# Oct 30, 2006 @ 9:04 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
31. Christoph3h writes:

Terminator: What I was saying came out the wrong way. I know Dio did not invent all "metal". I was just refering to the fact that Black Sabbath themselves didn't get heavy until Dio himself joined the band. I honestly feel Ozzy was a better solo artist in general. But Dio has always made newer music, unlike Ozzy who puts nothing new out, and if he does it's a cover song or such as his last new original song "Get's Me Though" which is all just references to the past. Even after Dio left Sabbath in 1982 originally left, the sound just kept getting heavier and that's the effect that Dio has. I have seen Dio 3 times and Sabbath twice. And I know the Dio shows are way better, he doesn't ask the crowd to cheer for him, they just do. So for the record. I'm glad the 4 members of Heaven and Hell have put aside their differnces and I can't wait for the show.

PS - Tony Martin, Ian Gillan, and Glen Hughes were all better singers too.

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 12:56 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
32. godlike writes:

actually Ray Gillen was an incredible singer also...He didnt spend a lot of time with Sabbath but at least its worth mentioning.... and he to was waaaaaayyyyy better than OZZY

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 8:13 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
33. Alex.... writes:

Black Sabbath sucks they were just a gimmick anyway

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 12:10 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
jnsguts's avatar

Member

34. jnsguts writes:

to say black sabbath was/is a gimmick shows that you know nothing about black sabbath.......HIMMM!!!!

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 1:38 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
35. XXXmetalheadXXX writes:

Black Sabbath sucks? I can obviously tell which one of us is in love with disco.

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 9:03 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
36. Terminator writes:

black sabbath was a gimmick. pffffffffttttt! i cant even say that and keep a straight face. not only were they the real deal, but they are also one of the most influential bands EVER!!! jesus Alex..., this is as basic as metal history gets.

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 9:07 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
37. godlike writes:

I think.....Alex needs to go stand in the corner...what an idiot... boy, you just failed the first lesson in the history of metal...
It all started with Sabbath,Deep Purple,Blue Cheer...there was no gimmicks....just Gibsons and Fenders plugged into Marshall stacks and that heavy f^ckin sound that no one had heard before...It was LOUD and aggresive,and it wasnt about peace and love...It was the birth of Metal.... \m/

*the aforementioned comments are only the opinions of the writer

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 9:20 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
38. Terminator writes:

godlike--no disclaimer need on that last comment^, thats all FACT! and hell, steppenwolf and zepplin to further expand upon that list.

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 10:09 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
39. godlike writes:

I wasnt sure if I needed it or not.. thanks for the heads up....

carry on

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 10:20 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BLACKDOG's avatar

Supporter

40. BLACKDOG writes:

ALEX get's the dunce cap on this one guy's.That's all I got to say about that.

"Joe Lynn Turner" Another great front man.Truly a great talent.He's no Dio but then on the other hand like Ozzy and Dio.You really can't compare them at all.Their individual styles and or approches are almost completely different.They don't compare.

# Oct 31, 2006 @ 11:10 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
41. x writes:

that sucks dio were gr8

# Nov 1, 2006 @ 1:36 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
42. godlike writes:

all bull$hit aside..I am just hoping that this tour gets anywhere within a days drive.. I am still wondering who is gonna be signed as the opening band or bands..?

# Nov 1, 2006 @ 8:10 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
43. phrygiandoom writes:

Bottom line: this will be the best reunion of the decade!

# Nov 2, 2006 @ 9:30 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
44. Armored Elf writes:

Dio is cool. He lives and breathes heavy metal. IT is good they are changing the name. So that ozzy era fans don't fall apart and cry about it.

# Nov 3, 2006 @ 2:11 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
45. Gangster B writes:

if you don't like DIO, you should just f***ing die.

# Nov 11, 2006 @ 2:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
46. KevinNov11 writes:

Dio, Gillan, Glenn Hughes and Tony Martin were all great singers. But they were not Black Sabbath. They were Dio w/ Black Sabbath, or Tony Martin w/Black Sabbath, but they were not Black Sabbath. Sabbath is more then who was the greatest. It was more a feeling. There are alot of great bands out there but no band rocks me like Sabbath. Sorry. The other Stuff is good but
Sabbath without the original four is NOT Black Sabbath( Since Day 1, 2/13/1970)

# Nov 14, 2006 @ 12:49 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
47. Scorched_Earth writes:

I just put only Mob Rules...f*** I LOVE THAT RECORD. Sorry, first 5 Sabbath records were amazing. Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules and Live eviL were amazing. They are different but to say one is better than the other...naw. Hell, I even liked 'Born Again' when it came out. Geezer is the sh**!

# Nov 14, 2006 @ 2:02 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
48. MetallicPunk writes:

I will always love OZZY years Black Sabbath but I also enjoy DIO's stuff with Black Sabbath too if they come around here I might just go see em.

# Nov 14, 2006 @ 2:13 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
49. godlike writes:

Its me again...Just wanted to agree with post #47...All Black Sabbath music has been very good...and its not been about who was singing either... We all have our own tastes..I myself grew up with the original Sabbath (w/Ozzy) while coincidently Ritchie Blackmore was leaving Deep Purple and forming Rainbow with Dio as the singer.......
Through all the history of Sabbath the music has been those phenominal guitar riffs of Iommi's ...That is Sabbath to me its not who is singing the lyrics..!!! Hell, all of the other memebers have been replaced several times...but its always been Iommi..His guitar riffs have been what is the core of Black Sabbath.....
I just happen to like the 3 albums during the Dio era the best...!!!!! IOMMI Rules \m/

# Nov 14, 2006 @ 3:00 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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