Heaven And Hell Drummer: Door Open For New Songs

HEAVEN AND HELL, better known as BLACK SABBATH, capture all of the magic of their spectacular stage show in their first US concert in 15 years in the heart of New York City, with their latest DVD release, Live At Radio City Music Hall. Earlier this year, Heaven And Hell reunited to record three new songs for their The Dio Years compilation. The band kicked off a tour in March of 2007 and chose to film their first US. concert in 15 years at the historic Radio City Music Hall.

The post Ozzy version of Black Sabbath featuring Ronnie James Dio clearly defines why the legendary members of Heaven And Hell - which feature Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice - are extremely seasoned musicians committed to performing with the same standard of excellence that launched the band in 1979.

For any of the Heaven And Hell fans, who had the opportunity to witness the phenomenon of Heaven And Hell live this year, this DVD captures all of the magic of the Heaven And Hell extravagant stage show, but also most important the magic of all four musicians on stage performing classic hits as, 'Mob Rules', 'The Sign Of The Southern Cross' and 'Neon Knights'. The band also performs two new songs, including 'The Devil Cried' featuring an excellent drum solo from Vinny Appice and 'Shadow Of The Wind'.

Other musical highlights of the DVD include a special Tony Iommi guitar solo during 'Die Young'. The haunting performance of 'The Sign Of The Southern Cross', and the devilish effects of 'Heaven And Hell'.

Live At Radio City Music Hall is more than a concert film; it also included a very special Extra feature, which documents the legacy of the band in four special parts.

Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles recently had the chance to sit down and talk with Heaven and Hell drummer Vinny Appice. What follows are some excerpts.

Rao:This is the first concert of the band in fifteen years. How exciting was it to be part of this musical history?
Appice: "Yes, this is the first anything in fifteen years. First tour, first DVD, first CD."

Rao: Tell me a little bit about the production of the DVD. Was it hard to shoot all of the different angles on this tour because it was so theatrical? Also, I heard a lot about the issues regarding the New York City Union.
Appice: "At Radio City there was a lot of confusion because, there was a lot of stuff going on. Because first of all it is New York. You got a lot of friends coming down, and people in the business and you are recording a DVD, so it was really crazy .We had problems doing a sound check because everything ran late. Then, when we did a sound check, we had to stop. We didn't even play one song because the Union Break came up. In New York, the Union Break is like God. So, we had to stop. (Laughter) So it was a little never racking. But, we can only do half a song, and hopefully that was OK for everybody who was doing a little recording and camera work. We would have liked to do more. If we could. So, it was a lot of nerves rattling here and there. But, we thought it came out really, really good. When, we sort of finished product with all of the editing it looks fantastic."

Rao: How did the Union Break affect the process of the filming of the DVD? It must of been kind of nerve racking too?
Appice: "Yes, because it is not only us, it is the guys in the truck recording it. The more we can play, the better they are going to be on getting levels on things. So it wasn't just for us, as a normal show would be. But that is the way it goes."

Rao: Right, plus it was one of the first shows in fifteen years, so you wanted it to be perfect. I guess that is rock and roll.
Appice: "Exactly."

Rao: There is a double CD that comes with the DVD. Is that correct?
Appice: "There is also a CD that they put out too. I guess you can buy, each of these items individually and they are also packaging it together. You get the CD and the DVD. This is all from Rhino, so I am not exactly sure what the package is. You can probably find out all the DVD and CD info on Rhino's website."

Rao: Any plans to maybe record a new studio album?
Appice: "That has been the major question with everybody. Asking that question, and the answer is basically the door is open. We are just going to finish the tour, see what happens afterwards, and take a little time off and see at some point maybe next year, we will do a new record."

Rao: It is pretty interesting that Heaven and Hell is touring with ALICE COOPER. On the recent tour, Heaven And Hell's stage setting was very theatrical. Alice Cooper really started the whole theatrical production in touring that was so popular back in the day. What are your thoughts on the triple bill?
Appice: "I think it is a great bill. Like Ronnie says,” They are not opening acts”. These are three major bands. It is Queensryche and Alice Cooper. They are not opening acts." They are much legendary, yeah no? Alice is going to be doing his thing. I don't know, how much production, he has got. It is going to be a great show. Then, we have production, so it is just like bringing back some of the old stuff. A lot of people haven't seen that. I think it is going to be pretty cool that they haven't seen any shows like this. A lot of shows today, it is just the band playing. There is not a lot of stages stuff, going on. This will be cool, for anyone who has never seen it."

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Source: Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles