The pair of classic records introduced the band’s era with singer Ronnie James Dio, who was added to the lineup just two months after the spring 1979 firing of Ozzy Osbourne.
“Heaven And Hell” delivered a number of classics, including the lead single “Neon Knights”, “Lady Evil”, “Children Of The Sea” and the title track, earning the revitalized outfit a Top 10 album in the UK while peaking at No. 28 on the US Billboard 200 on its way to sales of a million copies.
The 2021 reissue presents a new remastered version of the record alongside several bonus tracks that have never been released in North America, including live material from a 1980 show in Hartford, CT and audio that originally appeared in 2007 on the Rhino Handmade’s limited edition collection, “Black Sabbath: Live At Hammersmith Odeon.”
The band returned to the studio in 1981 to record “Mob Rules” with drummer Vinny Appice, who replaced Bill Ward during the “Heaven And Hell” tour. The project – which included “Voodoo”, “Turn Up The Night”, “The Sign Of The Southern Cross” and the title track – hit No. 12 in the UK and No. 29 on the Billboard 200.
The expanded reissue featured the remastered album, a new mix of “The Mob Rules”, and an expansive selection of rare and unreleased recordings.
The Dio-fronted lineup disbanded in 1982 but reunited a decade later to record 1992’s “Dehumanizer” and tour before going on hiatus again; the group came together again in 2006 to record three new songs for Rhino’s collection, “Black Sabbath: The Dio Years”, which led to a world tour in 2007 under the name Heaven And Hell. Their final album of new material, “The Devil You Know”, was issued in 2009.
Expanded versions of both classic albums will be available in digital formats, and 2CD and 2LP Deluxe Editions; due to space constraints, both vinyl editions include a selection of bonus material from the CDs.
The projects are being previewed with live versions of “Heaven And Hell” and “The Mob Rules.”
Dio passed away in 2010 at the age of 67 after a battle with stomach cancer.
See also:
Ozzy Osbourne new album update
Black Sabbath announce Vol. 4 expanded reissue
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Search Black Sabbath at hennemusic
