Heaven And Hell - The Devil You know
Heaven And Hell - The Devil You know
\r\nHeaven & Hell, Black Sabbath in other words, are the definition of the word “Metal” for many of us. Their name totally and absolutely identifies that word. Our favorite music that evolves and changes, but some values are just unchanging. The unfailing credit that they are being given despite of the entrance of more and more elements in the scene from the younger ones, as well as the fact that the pass of time doesn’t affect them at all, are both the evidence that nothing can threaten their “throne”.
\r\nEvery time there’s an album release coming from a band which is a milestone in the history of Metal, it becomes a good reason for discussions upon discussions. And that’s the magic of our music. We listened to the album and without knowing each other’s aspect, each one of us, hand on heart, wrote down his own thoughts about “The Devil You know”. The texts are presented in alphabetical order along with each editor’s rating.
\r\nWe are fans too, and this is only our point of view. \r\n
\r\n
\r\nNicoleta Sarantou \r\n
\r\n
\r\nIt is said that a picture equals to a thousand words. Maybe this is the number of words needed to describe a picture. How many words are needed to describe a feeling? Well if not infinite, surely many more. How can you really transform in simple words the way you feel? It’s like trying to express your feelings to the girl you are in love with as a teenager. You’re looking for the appropriate words, but none of them are really there. They’re always gone when you need them.
\r\nBefore I even started typing this review I knew that it would be way too difficult for me to talk about the new album of a band that is considered to be the embodiment of what we call Heavy Metal. It all is about Heaven & Hell a.k.a Black Sabbath (only the name changes, we’re not fooling ourselves).
\r\nHere we have the original line up of Sabbath’s best era (yes I am one of these infidels who think Black Sabbath’s best line up was with Dio and Tony Martin on vocals). The extraordinary gentlemen Iommi, Butler, Dio and Appice join forces to offer us another decent album. I admit that I had great expectations from a band like this and while “The Devil You Know” is blasting through my speakers for the 13th time I am trying to realize what exactly is this I am listening to. I am struggling to keep my distences from the past and the masterpieces they left behind but I fail. I am fighting to concentrate to what I am listening to Now and not to fall victim to comparison…in vain. Dio’s voice is haunting me. It has always been this way.
\r\n“The Devil You Know” sounds gloomy to my ears. Heavy like a huge stone, mournful like a funeral procession, imposing and grim like the marble cross on “Headless cross” artwork. Sabs are sounding eternal. Untouched by the passing time. The heavy as hell riffs of Tony Iommi are here once more, Appice’s massive drumming and Butler’s inventive basslines set a solid ground for the enormous building called Black Sabbath. As for Dio’s never aging voice, I don’t have much to say. He carries you away to magical places that only he can take you. Everything is as they supposed to be. All is here.
\r\nBut still something bothers me. Something is not right. I feel like something’s missing from this album.
\r\nI can’t figure out what it is. Or more likely I can’t describe it. I was expecting something more from Black Sabbath. I don’t know, some more up tempo tracks maybe, some more rhythm changes, more melodic parts. On the contrary this album is filled with gloomy doom compositions and besides the excellent “Bible Black” there’s not one track that would stuck in your mind. A song you’ll be singing along over and over again. Of course I am not talking about radio friendly hits ( is Black Sabbath we’re reviewing here, not def Leppard for Dio’s sake!!) thy never had any anyway.
\r\nOf course I wasn’t expecting another “Heaven & Hell” or a “Mob Rules”, the glorious past is long gone, I was just waiting for something with a touch of the old “magic”.
\r\n“And why should I expect something like that from Sabbath?” I ask myself. The answer is simple. Because they are Black Sabbath. Because they are the very same band that released masterpieces that you can easily listen to now. 30 years later. Because they are the same band whose a single riff was enough to keep you awake for days. Whose melodies could haunt you for months while many times you could catch yourself singing their lyrics on your way to school. It’s the very same band that even now sends shivers down my spine just by listening to “Heaven & Hell’s” intro riffing. Maybe I am just dreaming about the glorius past. “The Devil You Know” is in no case what we would call an “average album”. With this lineup that would be impossible. It’s just not the album that I wasn’t expecting, ‘cause when it comes to Black Sabbath I am demanding!
\r\nThey say that the past and the future are like the phases of the sun and the moon. Staring at the beautiful sunset in front of you, you are missing the sight of the far more beautiful moon rising behind you. Sometime you may see it in all its glory.
\r\nI just hope they are right. \r\n
\r\nDimitris Karantounias
\r\nRating: 65/100 \r\n
\r\n
\r\nWell a new Black Sabbath release,always makes some noise when it lands. If the result is good, the noise lasts through the years (e.g. Heaven and Hell,Mob Rules), but if the result is mediocre (it’s forbidden to call a Sabbath release "bad"),the noise will last for a shorter period (e.g. Dehumanizer). "The Devil You Know" is for sure NOT a mediocre album. It’s a dark, doomy one, with mid tempo songs and melodies that will sing after a few listenings. All Sabbath (I don’t like the name "Heaven An Hell", for it is a pure Black Sabbath cd) elements,such as groovy rhythm patterns by Vinny Appice, solid bass lines by mister Geezer, heavy riffing and guitar sound by "the riff-master" Tony and of course the voice of "Evil" himself, which for once more, sounds majestic, are present and alive! The sound is modern and old fashioned at the same time, while the compositions seem to arise from their glorious past.
\r\nThe release begins with a slow tempo song by the name "Atom And Evil" and as soon as Dio’s voice enters, you know that everything feels right!Moving on to one of my favourites tunes ("Fear"), we face another heavy track with an opening riff that reminds of Solitude Aeturnus. I know it’s a blasphemy to say that Sabbath reminds of groups that have influenced,so, Dio have mercy on my soul,for I have sinned. "Bible Black", which happens to be my favourite song both for its lyrics and music, starts with acoustic guitars and keys, preparing us for the holocaust which comes next! Classic Iommy’s riffing, solid rhythm section result in a monumental composition. As soon as the holocaust ends and you begin to think what has just happened, another song by the name "Double The Pain" strikes with it’s catchy chorus. At this point I started wondering, for another time, how a man can compose such simple riffs and make them sound so astonishing. Sabbath’s compositions can be named as "The art of simplicity", in my opinion and the next two track ("Rock n’ Roll Angel","The Turn Of The Screw") come to prove me right. Next to come, an up tempo song by the name "Eating The Cannibals" which could be easily part of a Dio’s album, which leads to "Follow The Tears", another slow paced composition. In the next tune "Neverwhere", the band speeds a little bit, resulting in the most "rockin’" moment of "The Devil You Know". The final catharsis comes with "Breaking Into Heaven", another doomy track which closes this release, with the same mood as started.
\r\nTo sum things up, we deal with a release, which gains your attention by its first spin, but it takes some more to really dig
\r\nin it. I think that the more you listen to it, the more you’re going to like it. Time will show if the noise will last, or
\r\nit will soon goes down. \r\n
\r\n
\r\nJohny "L.O.V.E. Machine" Litinakis
\r\nRating: 80/100 \r\n
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\r\n
\r\nFirst thoughts: I have to distance myself. To forget that this band along with a few more defined my music identity. That this band actually made what we call Metal music. That we owe them a lot.
\r\nA curse and a blessing. This album was a dream since I was a teen. Having to carry this weight, to argue, to focus on spots, to criticize, to present your point of view in public, is a curse. Living your dream is a blessing.
\r\nI’m trying not to think that this is a work from Black Sabbath- yes, I didn’t misspell or anything, no matter the name, it’s still Black Sabbath- but just another album release. The “ritual” has begun. I will either compare to the previous albums or I will concentrate on the album that plays non stop in my room for many days and nights so far. I chose the second path. We are interested in the present. The present of a band that has broken the rules of the so “flat” reality and time.
\r\nThe basic spots; most of the songs are mid-tempo, Dio seems to be forgotten by time and keeps justifying his place amongst the most expressive and lyric performers that ever “landed” on our planet, while the “Archon” Iommi with his imposing riffing withers us with the “beefy” rhythm section from Butler and Appice as a background.
\r\nThe spots that led me to second thoughts; The first time that I listened to the album I couldn’t find the songs that I would say at once that they make some kind of difference, except for “Bible Black” which I consider as a monumental composition and a soon-to become Black Sabbath classical. The songs are not that easy to remember. Nor they are catchy. They don’t have effects or atmosphere that will make you speechless with surprise. The rhythm in the biggest part of the album is slow. The compositions are not innovative. There’s no prominence or exaltation. Due to that they don’t lead to emotional variation, but to a stable mood instead, which lasts during all the album. So, there I gave the answer to this little devil that was playing in my head by making me doubt; “And why should they?”
\r\nSomething was pulling me back to listen to it over and over again and that was not the band’s name. It was the magical sense that derives from the album. The aura that penetrates you. The fact that these guys keep creating in an exemplary way for the younger musicians. That they are an inextricable, diachronic and always contemporary part of the Metal history via their work. The fact that I had this stable mood mentioned above while repeatedly listening to the album: Euphoria. And the sense of accomplishment.
\r\nIt’s doom, dark, heavy and smells Sabbath from miles away. And that’s my personal catharsis.
\r\nHoly moments. I feel lucky that I live this experience and it’s an honor that I get that chance. Ancient Greeks were saying “I live and learn” (paraphrased). With all the respect I will rephrase only and exceptionally for this case: They live teaching. \r\n
\r\nFirst thoughts: I have to distance myself. To forget that this band along with a few more defined my music identity. That this band actually made what we call Metal music. That we owe them a lot.
\r\nA curse and a blessing. This album was a dream since I was a teen. Having to carry this weight, to argue, to focus on spots, to criticize, to present your point of view in public, is a curse. Living your dream is a blessing.
\r\nI’m trying not to think that this is a work from Black Sabbath- yes, I didn’t misspell or anything, no matter the name, it’s still Black Sabbath- but just another album release. The “ritual” has begun. I will either compare to the previous albums or I will concentrate on the album that plays non stop in my room for many days and nights so far. I chose the second path. We are interested in the present. The present of a band that has broken the rules of the so “flat” reality and time.
\r\nThe basic spots; most of the songs are mid-tempo, Dio seems to be forgotten by time and keeps justifying his place amongst the most expressive and lyric performers that ever “landed” on our planet, while the “Archon” Iommi with his imposing riffing withers us with the “beefy” rhythm section from Butler and Appice as a background.
\r\nThe spots that led me to second thoughts; The first time that I listened to the album I couldn’t find the songs that I would say at once that they make some kind of difference, except for “Bible Black” which I consider as a monumental composition and a soon-to become Black Sabbath classical. The songs are not that easy to remember. Nor they are catchy. They don’t have effects or atmosphere that will make you speechless with surprise. The rhythm in the biggest part of the album is slow. The compositions are not innovative. There’s no prominence or exaltation. Due to that they don’t lead to emotional variation, but to a stable mood instead, which lasts during all the album. So, there I gave the answer to this little devil that was playing in my head by making me doubt; “And why should they?”
\r\nSomething was pulling me back to listen to it over and over again and that was not the band’s name. It was the magical sense that derives from the album. The aura that penetrates you. The fact that these guys keep creating in an exemplary way for the younger musicians. That they are an inextricable, diachronic and always contemporary part of the Metal history via their work. The fact that I had this stable mood mentioned above while repeatedly listening to the album: Euphoria. And the sense of accomplishment.
\r\nIt’s doom, dark, heavy and smells Sabbath from miles away. And that’s my personal catharsis.
\r\nHoly moments. I feel lucky that I live this experience and it’s an honor that I get that chance. Ancient Greeks were saying “I live and learn” (paraphrased). With all the respect I will rephrase only and exceptionally for this case: They live teaching. \r\n
\r\n
\r\nNicoleta Sarantou
\r\nRating: 90/100 \r\n
\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\nSo… now you want me to write down my impression for the new Black Sabbath Album? (or Heaven And Hell or whatever call themselves, this is Black Sabbath)
\r\nBefore I started to write down this review, I couldn’t resist my urge to visit some forums and read some opinions about the “The Devil You Know” album just to have a multidimensional point of view. So I ‘ve been reading about a “Uninspired album”, “predicted album”, “boring album”, “An album that only has some three good tracks”, “repeat themselves” etc, so after the first surprise, I decided to write down my review that goes like this
\r\nThe Fathers of metal at last have return with the same doomy sound of Iommi as on “Dehumanizer” and his riff machine in total inspiration. Dio gets once again the role of the “dark persona” that in particular moments really scares me and assures me that he must be the best metal vocalist / performer / frontman alive. The whole rhythm section of Butler’s bass and Appice’s drumming still grooves on those essential beloved mid tempo Sabbath tunes.
\r\nWell judging it like an album now, the album doesn’t sound boring at all to me neither uninspired it’s just the logical continuing of these 4 gentlemen chemistry, something that did many times before in the past, mid tempo HEAVY METAL, with great performances, many melodic passages and great solo and leads. If someone consider this album as predicted I only have to state that this is Black Sabbath guys and black Sabbath can’t add progressive elements to their sound, neither play acid jazz tunes nor add some screamo vocals This is Black Sabbath for God’s sake and if someone believes that this is an uninspired replay of the past days, I d like to say that if you believe that a band cant have it’s trademark sound, “Mob Rules” would have been a total failure, but thankfully it is considered as one of the best metal albums.
\r\nIn Conclusion “The Devil You Know” it’s another Black Sabbath album with probably the best line up this band ever had. It deserves many plays and I am sure that it will find them from all the friend of the metal scene and after a couple of years this one will be another Classic Heavy Metal monument. I admit that Black Sabbath didn’t invent the wheel in 2009, but did it many many years ago… \r\n
\r\nSo… now you want me to write down my impression for the new Black Sabbath Album? (or Heaven And Hell or whatever call themselves, this is Black Sabbath)
\r\nBefore I started to write down this review, I couldn’t resist my urge to visit some forums and read some opinions about the “The Devil You Know” album just to have a multidimensional point of view. So I ‘ve been reading about a “Uninspired album”, “predicted album”, “boring album”, “An album that only has some three good tracks”, “repeat themselves” etc, so after the first surprise, I decided to write down my review that goes like this
\r\nThe Fathers of metal at last have return with the same doomy sound of Iommi as on “Dehumanizer” and his riff machine in total inspiration. Dio gets once again the role of the “dark persona” that in particular moments really scares me and assures me that he must be the best metal vocalist / performer / frontman alive. The whole rhythm section of Butler’s bass and Appice’s drumming still grooves on those essential beloved mid tempo Sabbath tunes.
\r\nWell judging it like an album now, the album doesn’t sound boring at all to me neither uninspired it’s just the logical continuing of these 4 gentlemen chemistry, something that did many times before in the past, mid tempo HEAVY METAL, with great performances, many melodic passages and great solo and leads. If someone consider this album as predicted I only have to state that this is Black Sabbath guys and black Sabbath can’t add progressive elements to their sound, neither play acid jazz tunes nor add some screamo vocals This is Black Sabbath for God’s sake and if someone believes that this is an uninspired replay of the past days, I d like to say that if you believe that a band cant have it’s trademark sound, “Mob Rules” would have been a total failure, but thankfully it is considered as one of the best metal albums.
\r\nIn Conclusion “The Devil You Know” it’s another Black Sabbath album with probably the best line up this band ever had. It deserves many plays and I am sure that it will find them from all the friend of the metal scene and after a couple of years this one will be another Classic Heavy Metal monument. I admit that Black Sabbath didn’t invent the wheel in 2009, but did it many many years ago… \r\n
\r\n
\r\nLampros “Witchfynder” Tennes
\r\nRating: 90/100 \r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\nAnd now we have 2 Sabbath bands! Heaven and Hell represents of course the Dio Era. Personally i love the 80’s ‘’heaven and hell’’ masterpiece! I also love Dio’s voice but i ‘ll start my review with two rules. First, Dio’s voice is fine and it is not the album’s problem. Second, there is no argument about Sabbath’s influence in the metal gender during the first Ozzy period.
\r\nDio’s Sabbath (now Heaven and Hell) was a fine metal band. They had their moments but at the same time you could find many average ones (Heaven and Hell album is an exception). On the other hand, Sabbath with Ozzy, with albums like ‘’Black Sabbath’’, ‘’Paranoid’’, ‘’Master of reality’’, ‘’Vol. 4’’ and ‘’Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’’ were a ‘’Larger than life Band’’.
\r\nBut all that was just an intro to a not so pleasant review for Iommi’s new (or should I say renew) Sabbath.
\r\nYou see everything here is average. Even Dio’s wonderful voice is at the same tone from the start to the beginning. Most of the songs are mid tempo (except ‘’Neverwhere’’ and ‘’Eating The Cannibals’’) with Iommi’s doomy riffing but I doubt if anybody could hear the whole album without the question ‘’Am I still on track 1’’?
\r\nI have no problem with mid tempo songs. But they should be more epic and with more clever melodies and colorful solos. With no inspiration around the whole album is a constant Deja vu. Mediocre songs, no surprises and not even one song that you can say ‘’Yes this is a new metal classic’’. Not even the ‘’Bible Black ‘’single.
\r\nTo sum up there is no argument that this is a Sabbath album. It smells 80’s “Sabbath- ness”. Bad for them this is a super safe and easy album. That’s an album to let them book all summer festivals as headliners. It’s under the ‘’we need an album to tour’’ label. I don’t like this safety. Especially from masterminds like Iommi.
\r\nThis is my first ever Sabbath review in my life. I went to church, confessed my sins and approached this album with the proper respect and humbleness. Now it’s time for my rate. I’m anxious, I will be judged.But what should my rate be, when ‘’Death Magic Doom’’ is at the same Metal section at letter C under Candlemass name. Student beats the master? …It happens sometimes…
\r\nPlease Father forgive me. I have sinned. \r\n
\r\nAnd now we have 2 Sabbath bands! Heaven and Hell represents of course the Dio Era. Personally i love the 80’s ‘’heaven and hell’’ masterpiece! I also love Dio’s voice but i ‘ll start my review with two rules. First, Dio’s voice is fine and it is not the album’s problem. Second, there is no argument about Sabbath’s influence in the metal gender during the first Ozzy period.
\r\nDio’s Sabbath (now Heaven and Hell) was a fine metal band. They had their moments but at the same time you could find many average ones (Heaven and Hell album is an exception). On the other hand, Sabbath with Ozzy, with albums like ‘’Black Sabbath’’, ‘’Paranoid’’, ‘’Master of reality’’, ‘’Vol. 4’’ and ‘’Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’’ were a ‘’Larger than life Band’’.
\r\nBut all that was just an intro to a not so pleasant review for Iommi’s new (or should I say renew) Sabbath.
\r\nYou see everything here is average. Even Dio’s wonderful voice is at the same tone from the start to the beginning. Most of the songs are mid tempo (except ‘’Neverwhere’’ and ‘’Eating The Cannibals’’) with Iommi’s doomy riffing but I doubt if anybody could hear the whole album without the question ‘’Am I still on track 1’’?
\r\nI have no problem with mid tempo songs. But they should be more epic and with more clever melodies and colorful solos. With no inspiration around the whole album is a constant Deja vu. Mediocre songs, no surprises and not even one song that you can say ‘’Yes this is a new metal classic’’. Not even the ‘’Bible Black ‘’single.
\r\nTo sum up there is no argument that this is a Sabbath album. It smells 80’s “Sabbath- ness”. Bad for them this is a super safe and easy album. That’s an album to let them book all summer festivals as headliners. It’s under the ‘’we need an album to tour’’ label. I don’t like this safety. Especially from masterminds like Iommi.
\r\nThis is my first ever Sabbath review in my life. I went to church, confessed my sins and approached this album with the proper respect and humbleness. Now it’s time for my rate. I’m anxious, I will be judged.But what should my rate be, when ‘’Death Magic Doom’’ is at the same Metal section at letter C under Candlemass name. Student beats the master? …It happens sometimes…
\r\nPlease Father forgive me. I have sinned. \r\n
\r\n
\r\nVassilis ’’fixxxer’’ Tserpes
\r\nRating: 65/100 \r\n
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\r\nLine up:
\r\nTony Iommi: guitars
\r\nRonnie James Dio: vocals
\r\nGeezer Butler: bass
\r\nVinny Appice: drums \r\n
\r\nLine up:
\r\nTony Iommi: guitars
\r\nRonnie James Dio: vocals
\r\nGeezer Butler: bass
\r\nVinny Appice: drums \r\n
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\r\nhttp://www.heavenandhelllive.com
\r\nhttp://www.myspace.com/heavenandhellmusic \r\n
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