Black Sabbath - Dehumanizer

Disgustingly Underrated!

Most people that hate this album fall into one of two categories. First, there are those that think that any Sabbath album not featuring Ozzy isn't legitimate and that it's a steaming pile. Then, there are those that don't mind non-Ozzy era Sabbath but find this album too "dark and heavy". To both groups I give a hearty middle finger solute. You all must have taken the "short bus" to school as kids.

Anyone that thinks Black Sabbath after Ozzy isn't legit needs to have their head examined. You see, Iommi wrote all the killer riffs and Geezer contributed most of the lyrics. When you look at it that way, the defining attributes of Sabbath weren't even provided by Ozzy. Don't get me wrong, I love Ozzy, but the Dio era is just as worthy with Dehumanizer being just as good or better than Heaven and Hell or The Mob Rules. That's right, I said it!!

To those that think this album would be better if it weren't so darn "dark and heavy", well, I just don't know what to tell you. This is Black Sabbath, the inventors of doom metal, evil riffs, and dark/scary music. What did you expect, Never Say Die?? Don't you remember, EVERYONE HATES THAT ONE!! When you complain that a Black Sabbath record is just too heavy there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with you. If opinions could be compared to food, that opinion (if it were a food) would be sauted in wrong sauce.

So what's so good about this album you ask? It's Dio giving the best vocal performace of his career being backed by the best guitarist/bassist of metal. I'm not a huge Vinnie Appice fan, but he's acceptable. There isn't a bad song at all, and with the new remastered version, the production actually sounds pretty good. The lyrics are above average (even for Dio era Sabbath) and the music is arguably better than 80-81 era Dio Sabbath. You'd be a fool not to pick this up and enjoy it.


November 18, 2008

The comeback and resurgence of Black Sabbath

Back in 1992, I was excited to know that Ronnie James Dio was reuniting with Black Sabbath. Let's face it, Black Sabbath was a shell of itself and Dio was what Sabbath needed. After the first listen, I could not get over on how heavy this release was. This release fell right into place with the other Dio era Sabbath releases. Unfortunayely, it took fifteen years in between releases. With that said, I guess all good things come for those who wait. Too bad at the time this was a one record deal. Check out "I", which this reviewer considers the best track. July 27, 2008

Dio's underrated return to Sabbath still rocks 15 plus years on

Black Sabbath's 17th album Dehumanizer was released in June of 1992.
The album saw lone original member guitarist Tony Iommi reunite with co-founder and bass player Geezer Butler (who last played with Sabbath on 1983's Born Again album and subsequent tour then left) plus the return of the legendary lead singer from 1979-82 Ronnie James Dio (who left during the mixing sessions of 1982's Live Evil for a successful solo career) and Mob Rules-era drummer Vinny Appice (who came in at the last minute after Cozy Powell got injured in a horseback riding accident).
With the 1981/82 lineup intact, Sabbath went into Rockfield Studios in Wales with legendary rock producer Mack (famous for his work with ELO/Queen/Billy Squier) to create their best and heaviest album since Born Again as I found out when I first heard this disc in December of 1992 at the behest of my best friend Dennis.
We begin with the killer "Computer God" which is a scary and amazing opening! Iommi and Butler's riff and breathtaking vocals from Dio and killer drumming from Appice dominates. This rocker is slow and brooding and have switching tempos for track, expecially the finale which included two blazing Iommi solos which are some of his best ever. "After All (The Dead)" is next and has a haunting intro which leads into a heavy riff and classic vocals from Dio. Next is the great fast diatribe on televangelists called "TV Crimes" which has some of Dio's best vocals on the album and great riffs from Butler and Iommi. This was the single from the album with a classic video. The slow paced but brutally killer "Letters From Earth" follows and is an amazing dark song. The first half concluded with "Master of Insanity" which is my favorite on the album! Great bass intro and Butler and Iommi hadn't run out of riffs and this is one of their best riffs ever and Dio's vocals rock.
"Time Machine" kicks off the album's second half and was another great track. This fast paced rocker rocks. "Sins of the Father" follows and sounds like a solo Dio track but still a great track. "Too Late" follows and was not a remake of the 1979 Journey track but a great melodic song with Dio's voice dominating. It starts soft but changes into a heavy rocker with hard powerful vocals and a pounding rhythm section. "I" follows and is not a remake of the KISS track from 1981 but a straight ahead heavy rocker. Dio's lyrics and vocals are at there best on this song. Iommi and Butler supply a killer riff and Appice's drums sounds like cannons being fired. The original cassette and Dehumanizer issues outside the US and Canada ended with "Buried Alive" which is a heavy dark song with superb lyrics and vocals by Ronnie. A good solo by Iommi once again. The US issue ends with another version of Time Machine which was the mix issued for the Wayne's World movie released earlier in 1992 but still a great track.
Dehumanizer did hit the US Top 50 but sadly fell from view as grunge and hip hop fluff ruled the charts. Sales aside, this album rocks but sadly, Sabbath and Dio and Appice would split again after this until 2006.
Recommended! July 24, 2008

4.5 stars

This one grew on me enormously. When I first purchased it; I was very
put-off, of course, by the cover which is a cartoon joke; but easily remedied by reversing the insert. I was also put-off initially, by Dio's stylistic vocal change. For the most part, gone are the heroic vibratos; replaced by a cynical, and rather nasal sneer. This is not the case throughout the album, however. Witness the vocal prowess of "Too Late", where he goes from the sad beauty of a balladeer, and seamlessly adds power to his voice in a truly masterful manner. "I" is another fine example of his
evil pipes.
I never doubted the instrumentation, which is superb. Geezer, especially
shines, with thick, flowing lines; and some really fleet-fingered devil-rockin' in a few spots. Vinny and Tony hold up their end of the bargain as well as ever; but to this reviewer, Geezer seems to have a bit
more punch and flash than usual.
This is a solid album, by some metallic innovators. But, If you're like me; it may take a few listens to free your preconceptions. Definitely worth buying. May 21, 2008

Black Sabbath's Finest Hour!!

This is one of the best Sab albums to come along for a long time!! This album reunites the Mob Rules line up Iommi, Butler, Appice, and Dio. This album is a classic, and should be up there with the likes of Paranoid and Heaven and Hell. Great blistering vocals by Dio, and blazing Iommi riffs. There's not a ballad in sight on this album, just straight up metal from Sab. Dio is my favorite vocalists with the exception of Ozzy, and he rightfully belongs in Black Sabbath. Great album you won't be disappointed!! May 16, 2008

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