| Heaven and Hell | |||||
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| Studio album by Black Sabbath | |||||
| Released | April 25, 1980 | ||||
| Recorded | Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, Florida & Studio Ferber, Paris, France, October 1, 1979 - January 1, 1980 |
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| Genre | Heavy metal | ||||
| Length | 39:30 | ||||
| Label | Vertigo | ||||
| Producer | Martin Birch | ||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
| Black Sabbath chronology | |||||
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Heaven and Hell is an album by Black Sabbath, released in May 1980 (see 1980 in music). This is their first album featuring Ronnie James Dio, and first with famous heavy metal producer Martin Birch. Notable tracks include the title song, "Neon Knights", "Children of the Sea" and "Die Young". Heaven and Hell became one of Black Sabbath's best-selling albums, revitalising Sabbath's fortunes after what many saw as the death of the group following Ozzy's departure. In 2007 Sabbath went on tour with Dio as their singer (in place of Ozzy Osbourne) to promote the release of the compilation album Black Sabbath: The Dio Years. As Osbourne is once again a full time member of Black Sabbath, the Dio/Iommi/Butler/Appice lineup decided on the band name "Heaven and Hell", and to focus on post-Ozzy material, much of which hadn't been played in years.
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Lineup changes
This was the first album after singer Ozzy Osbourne left the band. Ronnie James Dio, formerly of Rainbow, brought his own unique style of song writing and vocalisation to the band, which altered their trademark drudge rock to a faster, slicker and more melodic sound. The addition of Dio to the Sabbath lineup was not the only change made at this point however. Geoff Nicholls of Quartz was scheduled to join the band, because Geezer Butler had been threatening to quit the band and had not been around through most of the writing sessions. Initially, Geoff Nicholls was brought in to play bass and co-write, but when Geezer decided to stay with the group, Nicholls switched to keyboards. Nicholls would only briefly attain full member status (in 1986/87) but nevertheless remained as Black Sabbath's keyboard player for over twenty years, usually playing live shows from off-stage. Drummer Bill Ward completed this album, but drinking and other personal factors would eventually lead him to drop out of the subsequent tour. His mid-tour replacement Vinny Appice would become an official member.
Writing and composition
The exact origins of much of this album's material is still a topic of debate. Ozzy apparently attempted to record some of what would become "Heaven and Hell" before being fired; all of this material was scrapped. Sabbath had in fact begun demoing material with singer Dio before Ozzy was formally fired. The song "Children of the Sea" was written by Dio and Iommi during their very first session. When Butler returned to the recording studio, all but one track ("Neon Knights") had already been written for the album. Former Elf and Rainbow bassist Craig Gruber was said to have been brought in temporarily for these sessions, and rumours were circulated (although recently dispelled by Iommi) that it was Gruber who actually played on the album. Bill Ward says he has "no memory" of making the album, due in part to his alcoholism. It is unclear how much of the album, if any, was actually written by bassist Geezer Butler or drummer Bill Ward.
Artwork
The album's cover art was taken from a painting by artist Lynn Curlee, entitled "Smoking Angels." Curlee was also commissioned to do an album cover for Blue Öyster Cult by Sandy Pearlman who was at the time manager of both Black Sabbath and Blue Öyster Cult.
Reception
Although some Black Sabbath purists dismiss the album (along with all those that would follow for the next 15 years) for the absence of singer Ozzy Osbourne, thus marking the end of the band's original line-up, the album was quite successful, becoming their highest charting album (#9 UK, #28 USA) since 1975's Sabotage. It is also cited as a personal favorite by many other Black Sabbath fans. Ronnie James Dio himself cites the title track as his over-all personal favorite song of his career, the one that he feels most proud of.
Track listing
All songs are credited (writing and arrangement) to Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler. Lyrics by Ronnie James Dio.
- "Neon Knights" – 3:49
- "Children of the Sea" – 5:30
- "Lady Evil" – 4:22
- "Heaven and Hell" – 6:56
- "Wishing Well" – 4:02
- "Die Young" – 4:41
- "Walk Away" – 4:21
- "Lonely Is the Word" – 5:49
Track information
"Children of the Sea"
This was the first song written by the new line-up of Sabbath and resulted from an impromptu jam session with Ronnie James Dio shortly before he joined the band. The song deals with the end of the world, mainly due to the wrecking of the environment.
"Heaven and Hell"
The title track was written mainly by Tony Iommi, but credit is given to the entire band. The lyrics, written entirely by Dio, are by some interpretations[attribution needed] about contradictions and hypocrisy in the way good versus evil is typically portrayed. In VH1's documentary series Heavy: The Story of Metal, Dio explains the song is about how every individual has "heaven and hell" inside themself, as well the ability and the choice whether to choose good or evil. Keyboardist Geoff Nicholls is said to have been responsible for this song's famous bassline. A guitarist himself by trade (though his role with Sabbath has always been as keyboard player), Nicholls likely got the idea from the Quartz song "Mainline Riders." In live performaces by Black Sabbath or Dio, the song is usually stretched out with extended guitar solos, audience participation, and new or ad libbed lyrics regarding angelic and demonic apparitions and personal judgement. A bootleg version sung by Ian Gillan exists. Tony Martin also sang it many times live with Black Sabbath as well as with his solo band.
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | |||
| US Singles Chart | US Mainstream Rock | US Modern Rock | UK Singles Chart | ||
| 1980 | "Neon Knights" | - | #17 | - | #22 |
| "Heaven and Hell" | - | - | - | - | |
| "Children of the Sea" | - | - | - | - | |
| "Die Young" | - | - | - | #41 | |
Personnel
- Ronnie James Dio – vocals
- Tony Iommi – guitar
- Geezer Butler – bass guitar
- Bill Ward – drums
- Geoff Nicholls – keyboards
Covers
- Iron Savior cover "Neon Knights" on their 1998 album, Unification
- "Heaven and Hell" is covered by the American doom metal band Solitude Aeturnus on their album Adagio, and by San Diego-based band Benedictum on their debut album, Uncreation (which also featured a cover of Black Sabbath's "The Mob Rules").
- "Heaven and Hell" is also briefly covered by Tenacious D for Dio's music video "Push". At the beginning of the video, Jack Black and Kyle Gass are shown standing on a sidewalk busking and singing "Heaven And Hell" with a few alternate lyrics. They stop when Dio walks up to them and tells them that he'll pay them if they would just play some Tenacious D songs.
Release history
| Region | Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1980 | Vertigo Records |
| United States | 1980 | Warner Bros. Records |
| United Kingdom | 1996 | Castle Communications |
| United Kingdom | 2004 | Sanctuary Records |
