886 Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell (1980)

Studio Album - Heavy Metal

About the Act:

Black Sabbath were a Rock/Heavy Metal band from Birmingham, England. They were founded in 1968 and are mostly famous for having Ozzy Osbourne as their singer until 1979, and for being one of the most influential pioneers of Heavy Metal. As is evident from their name, they took influence from dark occultic imagery and ideas, and became known for Doom Metal. 

The classic line-up of the 70s was Ozzy, Tommy Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. Ozzy was fired at the end of the 70s for lack of engagement, possibly caused by his drug and alcohol abuse, and replaced at the suggestion of the daughter of their manager, Sharon (later to be Sharon Osbourne), by Ronnie James Dio, who at other times was involved with Rainbow, and his own band Dio. Although they had a hiatus between 2001 and 2006, they have been in more or less continuous existence until 2017.

About the Album:

This was the band's ninth studio album, and the first with Ronnie James Dio singing, having replaced Ozzy Osbourne. It was one of their best sellers.

My History with this Album:

None

Review:

So, I don't know Black Sabbath well, I have heard some of their earlier albums a couple of times, but I think this was the first listen I gave to this album. As I write I am on my third listen.

I think it's fair to say the band has evolved. My memory of their earlier stuff is that it was ponderous, almost sluggish, obviously deliberately. This is not, it's mostly quite high-energy rock, as such in the forefront of where British heavy rock/metal was heading. It feels big and meaty, despite actually being quite simple and minimal. Most of it is just guitar, drums and bass (and vocals of course), all of which play a strong role. As a result it is tight, and has an almost intimate feel at times. There are the hints of metalness in there, but I would almost think of this as heavy rock, kind of on a level with AC/DC. They vary the textures quite a bit and there are quieter, more folky influences at times, almost like Led Zeppelin from a few years earlier. It's strong and appealing musically.

Dio's vocals are excellent. He has a rich expressive rock voice that can carry the weight and sometimes emptiness with clarity and panache.

The lyrics. Well, this is after all Black Sabbath, and there are references to Evil and The Devil, but also quite a lot of fantasy-related imagery, as if they have just read Lord of the Rings for the first time and got inspired. This is another way in which they remind me of earlier Led Zep. Refreshingly, after listening to some Kiss, most of this is not misogynistic clap-trap, just fantasy waffling, a far better prospect.

So all in all, while not what I expected, it was a pleasant experience. Not at the level of really good albums by Led Zep or Rush, or even AC/DC, but strong in its own right, well-crafted and tight. If you like your rock on the heavy side, and haven't heard this, I would encourage you to give it a try.

7.7/10 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0Dj2B19o99FcJii6aPvMTr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBzBwYhHpqLJhUSMJ7YiCnwQweplLxJR0

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven_and_Hell_(Black_Sabbath_album)