Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Atom And Evil
2. Fear
3. Bible Black
4. Double The Pain
5. Rock And Roll Angel
6. The Turn Of The Screw
7. Eating The Cannibals
8. Follow The Tears
9. Neverhwere
10. Breaking Into Heaven

Disc 2:

1. Bonus DVD inclusing band interviews and rehersal footage

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22070 in Music
• Released on: 2009-04-27
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: CD+DVD, Limited Edition, Special Edition

Amazon.co.uk Review
For many dyed-in-the-denim metal fans, The Devil You Know will not be considered the debut album by a band called Heaven And Hell: it will be greeted as nothing less than the return of Black Sabbath--specifically, the incarnation of Sabbath fronted by former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio following Ozzy Osbourne’s sacking in 1979, who debuted with an album named Heaven And Hell the following year. Dio remains a divisive figure in the Sabbath annals, his full-lunged thespian delivery and schlocky, swords-and-sorcery lyrics likely to separate the metalheads from the day-trippers. The band themselves, though--Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and drummer Vinny Appice--make a good showing, with Iommi on particularly strong form, whether dispensing sludgy, lead-heavy riffs on "Fear" or unleashing terrific wah-wah solos on "Eating The Cannibals". A largely heavy set, "Bible Black" is notable in its use of light and shade, beginning from a mournful, acoustic introduction strafed with high notes that dissolve like shooting stars, and finding its groove as a burly, slow-paced rocker that sounds like it could bound canyons. -- Louis Pattison

CD Description
'The Devil You Know' is the debut album from former Black Sabbath members Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice and was conceived when all four members recorded three new tracks for the album 'Black Sabbath - The DioYears'. Produced by the band with the help of engineer MikeExeter, the album sees Heaven & Hell deliver an album of classic metal similar in vein to Dio-era Sabbath, while still managing to keep it sounding fresh.

Customer Reviews

Breaking Into Rock 'N' Roll Heaven
After Ozzy Osbourne's dismissal from Black Sabbath, the iron-lunged, swords and sorcery-obsessed Ronnie James Dio joined the band and helped to create an entirely different vibe altogether, on the well-recieved Heaven and Hell album. A solid follow-up, The Mob Rules (on which drummer Bill Ward was replaced by Vinnie Appice) was then followed by a break-up of this Sabbath v2 lineup, until 1992 when they reunited to create the dark, heavy Dehumanizer. Since the lack of creativity the original line-up experienced when they reunited and attempted to create an album was frustrating, the classic Dio-era group is back together (albeit prevented from being called Black Sabbath legally by the Osbourne camp).

The album they have created here is a mouth-watering proposition for any die-hard Black Sabbath fan, especially if they enjoyed the new tracks on 2007's compilation, The Dio Years. The first six tracks on this ten track album are heavy and mid-tempo, showing traits of the classic Black Sabbath of old. Single Bible Black is one highlight, beginning with a calm, acoustic intro (quiet moments are few on this record, unusual in comparison to older Sabs albums) with Dio's masterful vocals before blasting into full heavy riff mode. Things change up a bit when Eating The Cannibals begins, Appice's thundering drums going at a faster pace along with the rest of the band on a song that is this record's Neon Knights or Turn Up The Night. The 7 minute tour-de-force that is Breaking Into Heaven is a great way to close the record.

Tony Iommi sounds as if he is releasing a creativity that he has desperately been trying to unleash for some years (which seems to be true). On The Devil You Know he creates some of his heaviest and most doom-laden riffs ever. Atom and Evil kicks things off powerfully and sets the trend for much of the album to follow. His guitar riffs also benefit from an impressive modern production which really adds to the thick heaviness. This is especially clear on Follow The Tears, possibly the heaviest Sabbath track ever. His solos, while never impressing as much as the riffs, are still blinding as ever, as are his occasional acoustic flourishes.

Lyrically, Dio finds the middle-ground between his quasi-religious and fantastical imagery from his first two Sabbath albums and the technophobic social commentary which featured on Dehumanizer. He uses dark, mythical symbols to describe the world around him, and it comes across a lot darker and pessimistic than anything he has done before. However, he has much improved from his earlier work in terms of lyrics, while his singing is excellent as always, and shows no sign of strain.

Then there is the rhythm section underpinning the vocals and guitar riffs, Vinnie Appice is a solid and commanding presence behind the drums, keeping a pounding beat throughout. His drums, like Iommi's guitar, also benefit from a modern production job, leaving a thick, pounding beat holding down the songs. Geezer Butler perhaps does not have as much of a notable contribution when compared to older Sabbath albums, other than providing foundation for Iommi. However, when he does get a moment to shine, like on the pulsating bass intro to Double The Pain, he more than holds his own.

To sum up, Black Sabbath have created an album that should satisfy any fan of heabvy metal, let alone this particular band. The blend of classic rock grandiosity and doom-metal riffs is a potent one, and there is not a single weak spot to be heard. This reviewer might even go as far as to say that a certain Mr. Osbourne will have to step up his game to match this effort. They may be named Heaven & Hell on this record, but without a doubt they are still the devils we know.

Astonishing
This album is clearly a band effort; it's not Ronnie James Dio fronting Black Sabbath and for that reason you can hear the influences of all four members of this group. This LP picks up where "Dehumanizer" left off; "Dehumanizer" is by far my favourite album of the post-Ozzy era (I've always found "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules" too light, to be honest and that will give you some idea of where I'm coming from - even with Tony Martin et al on vocals, Sabbath never hit the heights for me) as the lyrics are dark and the music heavy, thumping and black. This album takes some getting into; the first few spins sound discordant and jarring but further listens reveal layers of menace and threat. How Dio does it, I just don't know. He's well over 60, yet sings like a 30-y-o; do I detect a slight tremor in his voice ? No matter. Iommi's riffs are just astonishing; he's a riff machine; Geezer's bass perfectly complements the whole mix and Appice's drum underpin the whole structure. Warning: this album is not for those wanting an instant hit. Whilst most albums aim to please from the outset (and therefore age like milk) this album is a real grower and I'm sure will age like fine wine.

the dio you know and love.
Yes it,s all here heaven and hell good and evil, god and satan , man,s greed hatred to his fellow man and the use of the bible for all out world war.. Heaven and hell have come up with a great album. Tight and heavy riffs and ronnie,s word give you somthing to think about.LONG MAY THEY ROCK.