New Sabbath (+ Ozzy - Ward) live video released...

A bit boring <sarcasm> and those vocals are not overdubbed in the least </sarcasm> , but I am still happy to see the Ozzman cometh back with Iommer and Butler.  Would love to have seen this with Bill Ward, but 'll take what I can get.

Ozzy goes back in time to chat Vol. 4

First off, this is a great Ozzy Christmas photo:

Now, seeing as Black Sabbath's Vol. 4 is the best album to grace this fine earth, (in my humble opinion) what better gift to myself and every metalhead out there than a little behind the scenes action on the making of the album.  The Ozzman cameth to In The The Studio.net to chat with host Redbeard about the album that is widely considered Sabbath's last great album with the original lineup.  At the time, Sabbath had their own personal problems, not to mention the added complication of substantial substance abuse, but by his own admission, Ozzy admits what the real culprit of the band's eventual demise was- ego .

"What happened with me and Black Sabbath was that, in the beginning we all had a purpose, but as we went along that inevitable thing stepped in called ego. The fact is that success does change you.  It affected me. I was full of cocaine.  That stuff makes you talk the biggest load of horse crap.  There shouldn't be a problem (left) in the world, 'cause we solved them all in the bathroom of a hotel with a bag of that white powder."

Ozzy goes on to talk about his reasons for going solo- which don't include trouble with the band, but rather a desire to be able to voice his personal musical ideas, and his struggles with drugs and alcohol.  You can hear the full streaming interview with Ozzy here.

Time for a Tony Iommi Update!

My personal favorite guitarist and human, Tony Iommi, hopped on his computer last night and posted an update to his website.   And it's a very positive update at that, which makes me a very happy girl.  Check out what 'ole chopped fingers had to say:

“What a year! Certainly not the one I was expecting.  Thanks to you all for your massive help and support; it was very encouraging.  I’m still working on the [new Black Sabbath] album and managed to play three shows. Not bad given the news a year ago.

"I’m looking forward to next year, seeing what you think of the record and touring as much as we’re able.  My best wishes to you all. I hope you have a great Christmas and New Year, most of all, stay positive.”

It's great to hear an update from Tony and even better to see that it's such an upbeat one.  It was around this time last year (the end of 2011) that Iommi was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  Since then he's had to go through chemotherapy, which is brutal on the body and makes even a Yngwie Malmsteen solo seem easy.  Best of luck to him!!

Ozzy talks about his shitty new album, Sabbath and Dio

Ozzy talked to Rolling Stone about his new album, Scream, playing Sabbath songs live, and the passing of Dio.  I actually think he is sounding pretty good.

Daily Dio - day 5

Since yesterdays interview with Dio was a SAD one, I am posting a more cheerful one today.  This wasnt hard to find, since Dio was cheerful in pretty much any interview...ever.

And of course some live footage from the days when Dio first joined Black Sabbath.  'Children of the Sea' was the first song Dio and Tony Iommi wrote together.

Black Sabbath 101

As I was chit chatting about on here about a week ago, Sabbath has had a shit ton of singers.  So, so sooooo, I made a playlist containing a variety of them all in one place for you all to check out.  Of course Ozzy is the best, then Dio, then Martin, then Hughes..... 

In chronological order:

A little summary- first 6 songs are with Ozzy & off the first 6 albums respectively.  Then 'Neon Nights' and 'Mob Rules' are Dio. Next is Ian Gillan on the song 'Zero the Hero'.  THEN, 'Danger Zone' is sung live by Ray Gillen, who toured with the band after the Seventh Star album.  Seventh  Star was recorded with Glen Hughes on vocals, but he got the boot before the tour began, so Ray filled in.  That album was just weird in general because it was intended to be an Iommi solo album, and he was the only actual Sabbath member.  Very bluesy sounding, and a lot less heavy than Born Again which was right before it.  The next song is 'No Stranger To Love' off that freaky album sung by Glen Hughes.  It's clearly not Sabbath sounding at all.  I saw a Glen Hughes solo show and he actually sung it live with his solo band.

From here we enter Tony Martin era Sabbath and the album The Eternal Idol.  The Sabbath boys actually wanted Ray Gillen to record this album, but for some reason Gillen quit.  Why you would quit SABBATH is beyond me, but either way, this opened opened up the spot for Tony Martin.  Again, it wasn't a true Sabbath album, it was just Iommi.  I included a live version of 'The Shining' sung by Dave Donato, who was in the band for a hot minute.  I didn't put the Martin version in because it's simply not that great, and his next album, Headless Cross, was much better.  I included the title track sung by Martin.  The album after that was Tyr, but we don't talk about that one.

Back to more actually Sabbath-y style Sabbath with the album Dehumanizer, which brought back Dio and Geezer.  I put the song 'I' off that album on the mix.

Up next, I actually found a version of 'Computer God' sung by Halford.  Halford only sung with Sabbath for a few live shows in 92, when Ozzy opened.  I heard it was because Ozzy refused to open for Sabbath if Dio was on vocals, but who knows for sure.

Now up until last week Dehumanizer was the last studio album, but now we are blessed with The Devil You Know with Dio.  To finish up the mix and bring us up to date, I included the single off that album, 'Bible Black'.

Heaven & Hell - "The Devil You Know"

Warning: This review is for the Black Sabbath snob.

It's been 17 years since Black Sabbath have released a full studio album and even though they may be calling it Heaven & Hell it's not only Black Sabbath to me, but the best version currently available.

The Devil You Know is another display of Iommi as the master of the riff. After 40 years of putting out music, nothing seems to have gone sour.  Sure, this album isn't as good as those first 4 or even 8 Sabbath albums, but it is definitely as good Dehumanizer, which was the last studio album released way back in '92.  Dio's voice is unstoppable!  He may be 120 years old but vocally he doesn't seem to age.  My only complaint here is that he can be a bit too theatrical and sometimes covers up those drilling basslines and riffs that are more crucial to the Sabbath sound than vocal proficiency.  Highlight songs on the album are the first single 'Bible Black' for being heavy as fuck and 'Eating The Cannibals' for having a killer guitar solo.

Vinny Appice on drums is the only band member to not contribute to writing or producing.  He still manages to add his own flair and feels less sluggish than a modern day Bill Ward would.  It's interesting because as much as this is an amazing album (could possibly be the album of the year for me), it still is off from being a classic Sabbath album.  I consider Mob Rules and Heaven & Hell both classic Sabbath sounding albums, so Dio & Appice aren't the problem here.  The problem is the Iommi-riffs that I love so much.  They are great, but not 100% Sabbath.  It's very reminiscent of Tony Martin-era material, specifically Headless Cross, which I also thought lost a bit of the traditional Sabbath sound. (Note: Tony Martin on Cross Purposes was fuckin' cool).  Perhaps the change in band name is represented in the change in sound.

Black Sabbath, Sabbath with Dio, Heaven & Hell, whatever you want to call it, this is a must buy album.  If you dont trust me, you can listen to the full album for free here. After you listen and realize how insanely good this is, buy it. The cover art is bad ass, too.