BLACK SABBATH heaven and hell R13372

A Resurrection in Vinyl: Black Sabbath’s ‘Heaven And Hell’ (R1 3372)

Today’s entry focuses on one of the most successful reinventions in rock history. We are looking at the 2009 US reissue of Black Sabbath’s masterpiece, Heaven And Hell, released by Rhino Records (Warner Bros.) with the catalog number R1 3372.

Originally released in 1980, this album marked a seismic shift for the godfathers of heavy metal. With the departure of Ozzy Osbourne, the band recruited the former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. The result was a revitalization that injected speed, melody, and fantasy lyricism into Sabbath’s doomy foundation. Produced by Martin Birch, the sound became sharper and more driving, setting the template for 80s heavy metal.

The album opens with the blistering Neon Knights, immediately signaling the increased tempo and energy of this new era. It moves through the dynamic light-and-shade of Children Of The Sea, the driving groove of Lady Evil, and the monumental title track, Heaven And Hell, which features one of Tony Iommi’s most iconic riffs and Dio’s soaring vocal performance. Side B continues the intensity with Die Young and the bluesy, melancholic closer Lonely Is The Word.

This 2009 reissue from Rhino Records is highly regarded by audiophiles. While it is a US release, the discs were manufactured in Germany by The Pallas Group, a plant famous for its high-quality, quiet vinyl pressings. R1 3372 offers a pristine way to experience the rebirth of Black Sabbath, capturing the magic of the Iommi/Dio/Butler/Ward lineup in excellent fidelity.