Black Sabbath - ‘Heaven and Hell’ and ‘Mob Rules’ Deluxe versions. Review and overview
Decibel’s verdict:
Heaven and Hell - 10 out of 10
Mob Rules - 9.5 out of 10
These releases are an absolute must-have for any serious fan of Sabbath. The dedicated fans will likely want both CD and vinyl versions and there is more than enough good bonus material to keep fans more than happy.
Whilst much of the extra material has been in circulation for fans in an underground fashion for many years it has never sounded as good as it does on this set of remasters.
Likewise the packaging has never looked so good either and this time around clearly a lot of thought and research has been put into how these would look at the end of the day.
These deluxe packages as such are perfect for anyone who loves the band and their genre. All in all the perfect birthday or Christmas present for any self respecting fan to gift to their Dad, Mum, siblings and friends.
The audio has been upgraded on both primary albums and they really do sound thunderously good on a proper Hi-Fi system.
The only improvement one could get one these deluxe sets would be full immersive or 5.1 versions of these metal monsters and maybe this is something we might see in the future.
We will await, impatiently of course, for the next instalment of ‘Live Evil’ and beyond. Rock on…
Robert Corich Nov 2022
Black Sabbath deluxe versions of ‘Heaven and Hell’ and ‘Mob Rules’ albums are available via BMG i
2-CD And 2-LP Versions Of First Black Sabbath Albums With Ronnie James Dio On Vocals Feature Newly Remastered Audio Along With Rare And Unreleased Music
Singer Ronnie James Dio joined Black Sabbath in 1979 which resulted in a trio of classic albums: Heaven And Hell and Mob Rules which were studio albums and a double live album Live Evil.
and was on those memorable albums, Dio’s soaring tenor and gothic songwriting were the perfect foil for the band’s bone-crushing mix of razor-sharp riffs, intense grooves, and dark imagery.
BMG salutes the long shadow cast by this short-lived line-up with newly remastered versions of both albums expanded with rare and unreleased music. HEAVEN AND HELL: DELUXE EDITION and MOB RULES: DELUXE EDITION will be released separately on November 4th and November 18th. Each album will be available on 2-CDs, or a 2-LP set. Due to space constraints, both vinyl editions include a selection of bonus material from the CDs. The music will also be available via digital download and streaming services the same day.
Dio joined Black Sabbath for the first time in 1979 and quickly found kindred spirits in guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. When Heaven And Hell was released in April 1980, the album was met with effusive reviews for the band’s return to form on metal masterpieces like “Neon Knights” and the title track. The album reached #9 in the U.K. and #28 in the U.S., where it was also certified platinum.
HEAVEN AND HELL: DELUXE EDITION adds several bonus tracks, including versions of “Children Of The Sea” and “Die Young” recorded live in 1980 in Hartford, CT. The set concludes with live rarities like “E5150” and “Neon Knights” that originally appeared in 2007 on the limited-edition collection, Black Sabbath: Live At Hammersmith Odeon.
HEAVEN AND HELL: DELUXE EDITION
2-CD Track Listing
Disc One: Original Album (2021 Remaster)
1. “Neon Knights”
2. “Children Of The Sea”
3. “Lady Evil”
4. “Heaven And Hell”
5. “Wishing Well”
6. “Die Young”
7. “Walk Away”
8. “Lonely Is The Word”
Disc Two: Bonus Tracks
1. “Children Of The Sea” – Live B-Side Of “Neon Knights”
2. “Heaven And Hell” – Live B-Side Of “Die Young”
3. “Lady Evil” – 7” Mono Edit (unreleased on CD)
Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT (August 10, 1980)
4. “Neon Knights”
5. “Children Of The Sea”
6. “Heaven And Hell”
7. “Die Young”
Hammersmith Odeon, London (Dec 31, 1981- Jan 2, 1982)
8. “E5150”
9. “Neon Knights”
10. “Children Of The Sea”
11. “Heaven And Hell”
2-LP Track Listing
Side One
1. “Neon Knights”
2. “Children Of The Sea”
3. “Lady Evil”
4. “Heaven And Hell”
Side Two
1. “Wishing Well”
2. “Die Young”
3. “Walk Away”
4. “Lonely Is The Word”
Side Thee
1. “Children Of The Sea” – Live B-Side Of “Neon Knights”
2. “Heaven And Hell” – Live B-Side Of “Die Young”
3. “Lady Evil” – 7” Mono Edit (unreleased on CD)
4. “Neon Knights” – Live 1980
Side Four
1. “Children Of The Sea” – Live 1980
2. “Heaven And Hell” – Live 1980
3. “Die Young” – Live 1980
To follow-up Heaven And Hell, the group returned to the studio in 1981 to begin recording Mob Rules, with drummer Vinny Appice joining the band for the first time. Released in October 1981 and certified gold, the album was another Sabbath classic, including standouts like “The Sign Of The Southern Cross,” “Turn Up The Night” and the title track.
MOB RULES: DELUXE EDITION
2-CD Track Listing
Disc One: Original Album (2021 Remaster)
1. “Turn Up The Night”
2. “Voodoo”
3. “The Sign Of The Southern Cross”
4. “E5150”
5. “The Mob Rules”
6. “Country Girl”
7. “Slipping Away”
8. “Falling Off The Edge Of The World”
9. “Over And Over”
Bonus Tracks
10. “The Mob Rules” – Heavy Metal SoundtrackVersion
11. “Die Young” – Live B-Side Of “Mob Rules” 7”
12. “The Mob Rules” – New 2021 Mix *
Live At The Hammersmith Odeon London (31/12/81 - 2/1/82)
13. “Country Girl”
14. “Slipping Away”
15. “The Mob Rules”
16. “Voodoo”
Live At Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR, April 22, 1982
17. Intro *
18. “Neon Knights” *
Disc Two: Bonus Tracks
Live At Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR, April 22, 1982
1. “N.I.B.” *
2. “Children Of The Sea” *
3. “Voodoo” *
4. “Black Sabbath” *
5. “War Pigs” *
6. Drum Solo *
7. “Iron Man” *
8. “The Mob Rules” *
9. “Heaven And Hell” *
10. Guitar Solo *
11. “Sign Of The Southern Cross/Heaven And Hell” – Reprise *
12. “Paranoid” *
13. “Children Of The Grave” *
2-LP Track Listing
Side One
1. “Turn Up The Night”
2. “Voodoo”
3. “The Sign Of The Southern Cross”
4. “E5150”
5. “The Mob Rules”
Side Two
1. “Country Girl”
2. “Slipping Away”
3. “Falling Off The Edge Of The World”
4. “Over And Over”
Side Three
1. “The Mob Rules” – Heavy Metal SoundtrackVersion
2. “Die Young” – Live B-Side Of “Mob Rules” 7”
3. “The Mob Rules” – New 2021 Mix *
4. “Sign Of The Southern Cross/Heaven And Hell” – Reprise *
Side Four
Live At The Hammersmith Odeon London (31/12/81 - 2/1/82)
1. “Country Girl”
2. “Slipping Away”
3. “The Mob Rules”
4. “Voodoo”
* previously unreleased
