Ronnie James Dio joined Black Sabbath in 1979, and two classic albums followed. ‘Heaven And Hell’ and ‘Mob Rules’ both get a rebirth this month via BMG in deluxe boxset formats cD & Vinyl. Both albums have been newly remastered, and the set includes rare and unreleased music in certain regions. RJD replaced Ozzy in 1979 and quickly released ‘Heaven & Hell’. Sabbath returned to the studio in 1981 to record ‘Mob Rules’, with Ward replaced by Vinny Appice. Mob Rules was released in October of that year. The deluxe edition features additional tracks from Live At Hammersmith Odeon and an entire concert recorded in 1982 in Portland, OR. on the CD version with highlights making onto the Vinyl press.

Filling Ozzys shoes was a job that required a larger than life vocalist with his own personality and presence and in Dio they had certainly found their man who ticked all the boxes. It wasn’t the job for a shrinking violet or someone who didn’t have the credentials it wasn’t for the faint-hearted and RJD quickly grabbed the bull by the horns.

‘Heaven & Hell’ got under way in sprectacular fashion with a new sound unlike the old and as soon as the epic ‘Neon Knights’ opened up with its titanic riff and soaring vocals it was always going to be a success.

Due to what can be pressed onto vinyl the CDs have the full audio release whereas the vinyl has selected cuts. The package is a heafty tome with magnificent reproduced artwork that just looks sharper and wonderful sleeve notes included. the bonus disc is made up of ‘Children Of The Sea’ – Live B-Side Of ‘Neon Knights’ and ‘Lady Evil’ – 7 Mono Edit (unreleased on CD) so I guess to get the full experience the CD and Vinyl purchase is necessary. I only ever owned a second-hand copy of the original record until it was released on CD and have to admit it’s possibly my favourite Sabbath album of the lot including Ozzy releases. (Flame me I can take it) Having a crisp brand new vinyl copy in my hands is an emotional thing and memories come flooding back. Saying that ‘Mob Rules’ has its exceptional moments from the quiet parts of ‘Sign Of The Southern Cross’ and the rocking opener of ‘Turn Up The Night’. Dio brought new energy to the band and the quality of the songs and the running sequence was/is majestic.

The power of Dio’s vocals is none more evident than the bonus disc of ‘Mob Rules’ – ‘Live At Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR, April 22, 1982‘ captured in sequence on the CD but only highlights on the vinyl. The artwork and sleeve notes are magnificent on the vinyl but it is a shame it’s not the complete show like the CD because the Dio originals alongside the older Sabbath tunes are excellent and Dio takes it in his stride and the new Sabbath was born.

As far as reissues go these two are easily as good as the previously released box sets and all goes to prove what a great band Sabbath was/is Ozzy or Dio it matters not they both released some incredible heavy rock records and to hear then sounding this good is a treat. With Christmas coming why not treat yourself, if you’ve been naughty or not so nice pick em up at the link.

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Author: Dom Daley