Black Sabbath to Reissue Two Ronnie James Dio-Era Albums
Black Sabbath, “Heaven and Hell,” album cover – Story by Charles Ken, courtesy photo
Ronnie James Dio’s first two albums with Black Sabbath are getting re-released in expanded editions with bonus tracks, live recordings and more
Black Sabbath’s two Ronnie James Dio-fronted albums from the ’80s will be released in expanded editions on March 5. The new versions, titled “Heaven and Hell: Deluxe Edition” and “Mob Rules: Deluxe Edition,” will both feature the original albums remastered, as well as a range of bonus material, such as never-before-released bonus tracks, live recordings, B-sides, unique mixes and more.
In advance of the editions, the Black Sabbath camp has released a rare live version of “Heaven And Hell” and a previously unreleased live version of “The Mob Rules,” both of which are available via digital outlets.
Black Sabbath unleashed the original “Heaven and Hell” and “Mob Rules” albums in 1980 and 1981, respectively. They marked the group’s first two albums with Dio, who joined Black Sabbath in 1979 alongside guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. Black Sabbath’s original frontman, Ozzy Osbourne, was fired from the band in 1979.
“Heaven and Hell” features Sabbath mainstays such as “Lady Evil,” “Neon Knights,” “Children of the Sea” and “Die Young.” The new, deluxe edition of the album includes a handful of bonus tracks that have never been released in North America, including versions of “Children Of The Sea” and “Die Young” recorded live in 1980 in Hartford, Connecticut.
“Mob Rules” includes Sabbath classics such as “The Sign of the Southern Cross,” “Turn Up the Night” and the title track. The deluxe version of the record offers a full concert recorded in 1982 in Portland, Oregon, including performances of “Neon Knights,” “Heaven and Hell” and “Voodoo.”
Following his time with Black Sabbath, Dio left the group and formed the band Dio in 1982. He rejoined Sabbath to record the group’s 1992 album “Dehumanizer” and also sang leads in the band Heaven & Hell alongside his Sabbath band mates Iommi and Butler. Dio remained active in both Dio and Heaven & Hell up to his death in 2010.
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