This review is not intended for fans of BLACK SABBATH and DIO. The reason is simple: fans of those bands already bought this disc in the first week of its release. It could not be otherwise. This is a sensation, a truly unique event. The year 2007 marks the 11th year since the reunion of the classic BLACK SABBATH lineup (Osbourne – Iommi – Butler – Appice), and the world tour of that group under the name HEAVEN AND HELL (after all, that was the title of their first album with Dio) is underway, with Ronnie James Dio at the microphone stand. Twenty-five years after the release of the only official live album featuring Dio as vocalist with the Sabbath, we can once again hear this legendary singer performing a full set with BLACK SABBATH. Strictly speaking, he never forgot the songs from albums of those years — "HEAVEN AND HELL," "Children Of The Sea," and "The Sign Of The Southern Cross" were staples at his concerts, just as "Tarot Woman" and "Long Live Rock'n'Roll" from the RAINBOW repertoire were.
So then: the time is late 2007, the place is somewhere on Earth in a certain country called Great Britain, the participants are Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice. The format is a double CD and DVD.
Sixteen songs were performed, two of which were heard for the first time — that is more than a surprise. Although it is now known that the band intends to record a studio album, so those listening to this disc have a unique opportunity to hear a fragment of the future release. Is it even worth discussing Iommi, Butler, and Appice — it almost feels awkward. The bass parts hold down the rhythm for most of the compositions, since Sabbath is a one-guitar band, and that is no challenge when the thick strings are handled by Geezer Butler. The drums work with stunning precision — they do not overpower the other instruments, yet they do not remain in the shadows either. As for the guitar parts... this is the man who first downtuned the guitar. Without him, heavy metal would not have emerged in the late '70s, and roughly a decade later, doom would not have come into being. His innovations in music are indisputable. There is an absolutely astounding confidence in his playing, and even here he manages to improvise. Certain compositions take on an entirely different shape compared to their album versions. The one completely baffling fact is that in "HEAVEN AND HELL," before the finale, Iommi does not play one of his most famous and beautiful solo parts, opting for riffs instead. On the other hand, at these concerts he had every right to allow himself anything he wanted — this is his music. In one place he removed a solo, in another he added one — that is the artist's prerogative.
Now about Dio! It would be unforgivable to say that he sings perfectly — that would above all diminish his own achievements over three and a half decades. Yes, he was the best, the greatest voice of heavy rock, but he is 67, and there is no escaping that. The performance is stunning, the vocal control is brilliant, the artistry superb in the highest sense of the word, yet at the same time, from an academic standpoint, this great man has declined considerably over the past two years. Even on the last DIO live album he sings many times better, more powerfully — and I mean "powerfully" in the most literal sense: his lungs and vocal cords functioned better and with greater force. Dio shortens phrases, does not sustain notes, uses vibrato, and yet he does not lower a single part, for which he deserves great credit. But singing is hard for him, and anyone who has ever heard this extraordinary voice live will notice it. However, the essential remains — the timbral richness and stunning sincerity that this Musician with a capital M pours into every melody. Incidentally, the songs from "Dehumanizer" sound most interesting — one of Sabbath's most underrated albums (a similar situation exists with DIO's own albums from the '90s). That said, the performance of "Lonely Is The Word" is absolutely astonishing — the song is sung perfectly, almost like on the album. As usual, Ronnie interacts extensively with the audience; it is an unbreakable tradition. If Ozzy is always very formulaic, focusing on nasal shouts and profanity, Ronnie showers the crowd with gratitude and thoroughly introduces each composition that is performed. For Dio, it must surely feel unusual to end a concert without his signature "This song is about us, it's about what we're doing every day... weeeeee rock." But only Sabbath songs are played, so the concert is crowned by "Neon Knights."
This is BLACK SABBATH in perhaps their greatest lineup — four great musicians, three of whom are approaching 60, while Dio is already nearing the next milestone. They are still working, giving themselves no concessions, and remain true symbols of rock music.