DEHUMANIZER

"Dehumanizer" is the 16th full-length studio album by UK heavy/doom metal act Black Sabbath. The album was released in June 1992 by I.R.S./Reprise. After a relatively stabile lineup period in the band´s history (Tony Martin had been the lead vocalist on the three previous albums and Cozy Powell had been the drummer on the last two), Tony Iommi returned in 1992 with a totally different lineup to the one who recorded the last album "Tyr (1990)". The lineup was not unknown to Black Sabbath fans though as it´s the same lineup who recorded "Mob Rules (1981)". That´s Tony Iommi on guitars, Ronnie James Dio on vocals, Geezer Butler on bass and Vinny Appice on drums. A welcome return to one of the most celebrated lineups in the band´s history.

The music is a bit darker and a lot heavier than the music on the three previous Tony Martin led Black Sabbath albums. The keyboards are toned down considerably which is an excellent disposition IMO. There are predominantly intense heavy metal tracks on the album but "Too Late" brings a bit of variation to the table as it´s a power ballad. Dio´s vocal delivery is as strong ever. The man really had some strong and powerful pipes. The rest of the band are also tight and deliver a good performance. Heavy riffs and heavy beats.

The sound production is powerful and professional.

"Dehumanizer" is often overlooked by anyone but the hardcore fans of Black Sabbath which is quite a shame IMO. I really think that "Dehumanizer" is a strong album and I find it highly recommendable. To my ears "Dehumanizer" is the strongest album Black Sabbath released after "Mob Rules (1981)". A 4 star (80% rating is well deserved.