The Final Chapter of a Metal Legend: A Deep Dive into Heaven & Hell's 2007-2009 Era!
Get ready, metalheads! Rhino is dropping a massive new collection, "Breaking Out Of Heaven 2007-2009", that chronicles the incredible, albeit brief, final chapter of the legendary Ronnie James Dio's tenure with the titans of Black Sabbath. This isn't just a reissue; it's a full-blown immersion into the unexpected second act of Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice, who reunited under the moniker HEAVEN & HELL to recapture the magic decades after their initial groundbreaking work.
Mark your calendars for March 27th! This monumental release will be available in two impressive formats: a 7LP vinyl box set and a 4CD/Blu-ray box set. Both editions are packed with treasures, including a beautifully illustrated book featuring new liner notes by Hugh Gilmour, a replica tour book, and a poster to adorn your sanctuary of sound.
But here's where it gets really exciting for collectors and vinyl aficionados: This collection marks the very first time the complete "Live From Radio City Music Hall" performance will be available on vinyl! Plus, get ready for eight tracks making their vinyl debut, including sought-after studio recordings from "The Dio Years" and select electrifying live performances. The Blu-ray disc is a video feast, expanding the experience with footage from "Live From Radio City Music Hall" and "Neon Nights: 30 Years Of Heaven & Hell - Live At Wacken", alongside insightful band interviews. To give you a taste, an HD-upscaled video of the track "Bible Black" is available today!
This collection meticulously follows the band's reunion journey, kicking off with their triumphant 2007 New York performance, "Live From Radio City Music Hall". This was followed by the critically acclaimed, Top 10 studio album "The Devil You Know" in 2009, and later that year, the live album "Neon Nights: 30 Years Of Heaven & Hell - Live at Wacken", captured during their electrifying tour in Germany.
Let's talk track listings, shall we?
The 4CD Set:
- Disc One: The Devil You Know - Features the full studio album, including classics like "Atom And Evil", "Fear", and the haunting "Bible Black". It also includes three bonus tracks from "The Dio Years": "The Devil Cried", "Shadow Of The Wind", and "Ear In The Wall".
- Disc Two & Three: Live From Radio City Music Hall - Dive deep into the legendary live performance with iconic tracks such as "E5150 / After All (The Dead)", "The Mob Rules", "Children Of The Sea", and the anthemic "Heaven And Hell".
- Disc Four: Neon Nights: 30 Years Of Heaven & Hell - Experience the raw energy of their Wacken performance, with highlights including "Mob Rules", "Bible Black", and the powerful closer "Neon Knights".
The 7LP Set:
- LPs One & Two: The Devil You Know - The full studio album, plus the bonus tracks from "The Dio Years" spread across two LPs.
- LPs Three, Four & Five: Live from Radio City Music Hall - This epic live show is spread across three LPs, allowing every nuance of the performance to shine.
- LPs Six & Seven: Neon Nights: 30 Years Of Heaven & Hell - The Wacken performance is presented across two LPs, ensuring a comprehensive audio experience.
And the Blu-ray? It's a visual odyssey, featuring the full "Live from Radio City Music Hall" and "Neon Nights: 30 Years Of Heaven & Hell" performances. Plus, dive into bonus content like the "Heaven And Hell Road Movie", "Hail The Gods Of Metal", "Meet The Mob", "Radio City", "The Wisdom Of Dio", and 30th-Anniversary Interviews with Dio, Butler, Appice, and Iommi. There's even a Ronnie James Dio Tribute from 2010 featuring the band members.
For those new to this chapter, it's important to remember that Ronnie James Dio first joined Black Sabbath in 1980, replacing Ozzy Osbourne. He lent his powerful vocals to the seminal albums "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules", as well as the live album "Live Evil", before departing in 1982. He made a significant return a decade later for the album "Dehumanizer" and then, in 2006, reunited with Iommi, Butler, and Appice under the HEAVEN & HELL banner, leading to the release of "The Devil You Know" in 2009.
And this is the part most people miss... The reunion of HEAVEN & HELL was more than just a nostalgic trip; it was a testament to the enduring power of their musical chemistry. Tony Iommi himself has spoken about how close they were during this period, with plans for further albums and tours. In a poignant reflection, Iommi shared in September 2022, "We were really on a roll when we'd done [the debut HEAVEN & HELL album] 'The Devil You Know' and we were touring and we were really enjoying it." He recalled a conversation with Ronnie in Japan where Dio enthusiastically agreed to do another album and tour, a plan tragically cut short by Dio's passing.
Ronnie James Dio, a true titan of heavy metal, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009 and sadly passed away on May 16, 2010, at the age of 67. His influence as one of the greatest vocalists in the genre is immeasurable. Even in his final days, he was a caring presence, calling Iommi from the hospital. His autobiography, "Rainbow In The Dark: The Autobiography", was released posthumously in July 2021.
The Devil You Know itself was a commercial success, debuting at No. 8 on The Billboard 200 chart in May 2009, selling 30,000 copies in its first week. This collection, "Breaking Out Of Heaven 2007-2009", offers a comprehensive look at this vital period, celebrating the legacy of a voice that defined a generation of metal.
Now, a question for you: Given the immense talent and renewed creative spark evident in the HEAVEN & HELL era, do you believe they could have continued to produce groundbreaking music had Ronnie James Dio been with us longer? Or was this specific period a perfect, albeit bittersweet, culmination of their shared history? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
