In an October 2005 interview with the program "Masters of Rock", aired on BBC Radio 2, Ronnie James Dio revealed the fact that he would be writing with Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi once again. Dio mentioned that two songs would be penned, and were to be featured on a compilation box set entitled 'Black Sabbath - The Dio Years'. The box set idea was eventually scrapped, and only a 1 disc compilation saw the light of day. However, 3 newly recorded songs were featured. And moreover, a full fledged reunion tour was in the works! Drummer Bill Ward (who performed on the 1980 'Heaven & Hell' album and the first half of the consequent tour) declined to be band's drummer, citing musical differences between him and "a couple of the band members". Ward's departure made way for a reunion of the second Dio-era Black Sabbath line-up, which included Vinny Appice. This line-up recorded 'Mob Rules', 'Live Evil' and 'Dehumanizer'. Iommi, the owner of the Black Sabbath name, chose to call this collaboration Heaven & Hell so as to distance the group from the Osbourne-fronted Black Sabbath. Even before the beginning of the tour, the members had said that the Heaven & Hell 2007 tour was a one-off and had expressed their plans to go their separate ways. However, in a March 2007 interview, Dio and Iommi expressed that while they were both tied to separate contractual commitments in 2008, neither would discount the possibility of future collaborations. In October 2007, Blabbermouth reported that the band members had decided to continue their collaboration and record and release a new album in 2008. It would take another year before the album finally emerged.

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (2009) ROADRUNNER RECORDS

After a successful reunion tour, Heaven & Hell decided to record a brand new album, despite their own first notion as to only be a touring band. 'The Devil You Know' features all new material, and is considered by many as the first "real" Black Sabbath album since 1995's 'Forbidden'.

With the line-up of Iommi, Dio, Bulter and Appice recording together again, people are bound to set their expectations high. After all, these people were responsible for the 2 classic album, 'Heaven And Hell' and 'Mob Rules' back in the early 80's. However, Heaven & Hell are not trying to recreate an era, and 'The Devil You Know' is not recorded to recapture a certain sound. Still, it doesn't take long after putting on "Atom And Evil", the first song on this CD, to realize that Heaven & Hell is Black Sabbath anno 2009. This is simple the kind of magic that naturally flows when these Godfathers of metal come together and start writing music. The main ingredient is of course Iommi's distinct playing. He seems to be able to pick from a never ending string of metal-defining riffs. The second key ingredient is one Ronnie James Dio. His epic voice and lyrics have been the blueprint for heavy metal since it's interception. And combined with Butlers omnipresent bass, you have a obvious winner. Vinny was never a flashy drummer. He delivers steady, reliable work, nothing more, nothing less. Together they create the very foundations of heavy metal, with songs that just ooze of doom, death and devastation.

Now, I am not going to even try and convince everyone that 'The Devil You Know' is on par with this constellation's classic albums. Granted, there are several choice cuts at hand, there are no over the top ones that reaches the same summits as say "Heaven & Hell", "Children Of The Sea" or "The Sign Of The Southern Cross". Thusly the album comes across as a very even output, without any real high or lows. But since the overall quality is of such high caliber, one can only applaud the final result nonetheless. 28 years is a long time to wait for something good. So it's all the better when the wait is over, and satisfaction is once again guaranteed.

Trivia: The numbers 25 and 41 that feature either side of the devil logo refer to the Bible verse Matthew 25:41, that deals with the Last Judgement where those who sit at the left side of God were cast down into Hell.

Killer tracks: Fear, Bible Black, Rock And Roll Angel, Breaking Into Heaven

Related artists:

Black Sabbath, Dio, Rainbow, Hear 'n Aid, Ozzy Osbourne