Tuesday Two-Fer IX: Dio Sabbath

Today's post is from our friend HiM.  

Dio is hard for me to critique, especially since Vivian Campbell and I stopped dating (not true). Yes, I know. He was a bit too far into dragons and rainbows (some chased, some not) and looking out for different things. But, damn, that little man packed some serious vocal power. And Sabbath needed him after bouncy bangs left for greener pastures with Sharon. You would like to think that Iommi simply went: “I smite that drunk down with an elf who has the vocals of a God.”

First Pick: "The Mob Rules"

I know. “E5150” is not part of the song. But for me, on first listen, I was baffled. What the hell happened to my tape deck? Was anyone playing anything and what were those odd vocals telling me to do? Just when I thought I was having a bad trip . . . THIS IS AMAZING!!! This song hits so hard that it knocked Geezer’s mustache off, made Ozzy second guess his decision, and left Don Arden questioning why he was such a crook and cheat.

Second Pick: “Heaven and Hell,” Heaven and Hell (1980):

When Ward starts galloping, you shut your yap and start listening. This is epic, cathedral-sized, Sab. It is a place where Iommi just lets loose and goes to places he never did with Ozzy. All the while, Dio leads them like he had been there from the start. He had big shoes to fill. And this little man proved he could.

 Honorable Mention(s): “Die Young,” Heaven and Hell (1980):

A bit of a cheat, as I am providing a bit of old and bit of new. But I find the combo informative, enjoyable and sad. Both show that this was a band that truly had so much more to give before Dio’s passing. Dehumanizer (1992) was a sorta’ stab at Dio-Sab. But it felt half-baked and less than earnest. The Devil You Know (2009) was another step in the right direction.

Here, hearing the classic line-up, under both old and new nameplates, makes you smile. They aren’t the same band. But they are. And we will never see either version of this version again. "Die Young?" Hell no. This is the stuff that makes metal fans like us want one more pull at the lever. Long live rock ‘n’ roll. Apologies to Rainbow.

Comments

[Gary]

The Mob rules is probably my all time favorite Sab song, either old or new. When Iommi’s opening riff hits, it literally punches you in the berries. Then Dio joins in and it’s like getting hit by a bus. Just freaking awesome. So much power in that song.

As for my second, it’d be a toss up between Heaven and Hell or Disturbing The Priest. Once again, a whole lot of good material to pick from...🤟

[Bob]

So many thoughts racing through my mind. "The Mob rules" is probably my favorite dio Sabbath tune, but not the version that's on the album. The version on the "Heavy Metal" soundtrack blows the album version away IMHO. It's interesting how subjective music is because "Dehumanizer" is by far my favorite dio Sabbath album. The production is huge and, in spots, it has more of the doomy feel of old Sabbath; think of tunes like "the dead" and "Letters From earth." In that same mold of subjectivity, I am not a big fan of the "Heaven and Hell" album. bill Ward's drums sound like cardboard boxes, and the whole thing sounds like it's coming out of a tabletop radio. Very very weak production. Finally, yes, Dio had an amazing voice, but at times he was also too in love with it. Listening to live recordings from that era, Dio would sing/yell something nonsensical over almost every non vocal section of a song. Finally, Gary, my good sir, this is a very small thing, but "disturbing the Priest" was sung by ian Gillan.

[Gogmagog]

In a (partial) defense of Dehumanizer, I think After All (The Dead) and Master Of Insanity are standout tracks. Check out the original demo of the latter from Geezer's solo sessions to see how the truly gifted can improve an already fantastic song.

[Gary]

@Bob. Yeah I’m aware of that! I think that whole Born Again album with Gillian is fantastic. (Zero The Hero is another of my favorites)

PS: Hope everything’s good out there in sunny SoCal bud 👍😎

[Bob]

Yep Gary, things are lovely here in San Diego. come on down and smoke some Granddaddy Purple with me.

[Shawn]

I almost feel - dare I say that Black Sabbath is like 3 different bands based on who the lead singer was at the time? Ozzy/post Ozzy/Dio version etc.. I liked Mob Rules but Heaven and Hell is my favorite .... Yes it is deep in the Dio writing realm but I really enjoyed it. On a side note Vivian Campbell's riff in Holy Diver is almost the same as Heaven and Hell.

[Bkallday]

Sorry but I've gotta be that guy. Ozzy era Sab >>> Dio era Sab and it's not close!

[Gary]

Bob. It's been a while. I'd bet that purple would have me in the fetal position drooling in the corner of your living room. I'd have to ease back in with some Mexi dirt weed and work my way back up. Kinda like training wheels LMFAO

[Gary]

@Shawn. I hear ya. The mob rules riff that I love so much is reminiscent in parts of Queens Tie Your Mother Down also, only on steroids. Lol

[Bkallday]

I'll gladly take some of that granddaddy purple off your hands. Puff puff pass my friend!