HEAVEN & HELL - THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

I remember going into this album very skeptical. Since Dio left the Sabbath, there was barely anything that was worth of note to my hears, and the sheer metallic cheesiness of it all did not appeal to me at all.

But this one grabs you immediately with massive doom riffage from Iommi. This is Ronnie's last album (not just with the band, but in this world) and as soon as his voice is heard you know he means business. I am extremely partial to Ozzy's era, and to Ozzy's style in general, as I am more a blues guy than a heavy metal kind of guy, but Dio might be the one exception. His energy and personality come shining through, in everything I have heard of him so far. His cries sound sincere, not cheesy to me. And so is with this album. Iommi's soloing is as classic as the riffs before and after it. A very strong starter for the album.

I suppose if you are more of a fan of fast metal, then you will not find this album particularly enjoyable as it's more on the doomy side. For me though, that's what I prefer, so I move along very pleased with this direction. At points, it reminds of Candlemass, like in Bible Black, a highlight of the album.

Overall, a very solid album.