The Dio Years
BLACK SABBATH created the sound that IS heavy metal. They are one of the most innovative bands of all time and they are back with a new release, The Dio Years, through Rhino Records. As the title would imply, the album is a spotlight on the years that Ronnie James Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne in the legendary group. The Dio Years also features three brand new tracks, including the single that has taken Metal radio by storm – “The Devil Cried.”
No explanation of the tracks is needed because you know and love each and every one of them. The album features tracks from all three albums (Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules, and Live Evil) that Dio was a part of between 1980 and 1983. Hits like “Heaven and Hell,” “The Mob Rules,” “Neon Knights,” and “Die Young” are featured among 12 other tracks. One live track made it’s way onto the disc as well, “Children of the Sea” which was recorded and released on 1983’s Live Evil.
As I have said, the band also hit the studio and recorded three new tracks that appear at the end of
The Dio Years. “The Devil Cried,” “Shadow of the Wind,” and “Ear In The Wall” were recorded in late 2006 but come off sounding just as good, if not better, when compared to all of the work that the band did over 25 years ago. Most have heard “The Devil Cried,” as it was released to radio as a single several weeks ago and can judge the talent on it for themselves, however I feel that “Shadow of the Wind” could be the best song that Sabbath has ever recorded. It is very sludge/doom influenced and Dio’s vocals are nearly perfect. “Ear In The Wall” is another song that I’ve been playing a lot lately. It’s faster paced than “Shadow of the Wind” and seems to hit closer to the type of music that Dio is used to performing. Regardless, all three of the new tracks are incredible and will probably be as memorable as some of the other hits – like “Heaven and Hell” – that can be heard on this compilation.
Say what you want about the Dio vs. Ozzy argument that has long divided the band’s fans, both artists are phenomenal and that point gets proven by giving
The Dio Years a listen. You can put this record on and relive the great moments that Black Sabbath has been a part of and you also get to hear that the band hasn’t lost one bit of their talent over the years.
I would recommend this album to any fan of classic heavy metal. As we all know, Sabbath is the original metal band. I also think that this is a good starting point if you are just beginning to listen to metal because you get to go back in time and hear some of the most highly regarded music in the genre. Simply put, Black Sabbath is amazing and
The Dio Years is a must have –
BUY IT NOW!
