Heaven & Hell: Live from Radio City Music Hall

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Product Description
This live concert recording captures the sold-out Radio City Music Hall performance of former Black Sabbath rockers Ronnie James Dio Vinny Appice Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler who reunited under the name Heaven and Hell in 2006.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSIC DVD/LIVE PERFORMANCES UPC: 603497992447 Manufacturer No: 243708

Amazon.com
Comprised of former members of Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell grew out of a 2006 reunion of post-Ozzy frontman Ronnie James Dio, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Vinny Appice for the purpose of recording new tracks for a Sabbath compilation called The Dio Years. Heaven & Hell then toured, drawing deep from the Dio-era Sabbath catalogue. The masterful Heaven & Hell: Live from Radio City Music Hall is one result of that rekindled partnership, a two-hour, Gothic metal marathon filmed in 2007 before a thrilled New York City audience. Largely comprised of classic Sabbath material, the show unfolds with a deceptive ease. The seasoned bandmates play with graceful concentration even as they plunge into the maw of doomstruck power chords and grinding riffs, the wiry Dio stalking Heaven & Hell's swampy sound like some fusion of a crow and benevolent overlord. At times, it's impossible not to contradict oneself while trying to describe the group's intricate, paradoxical sound: "Children of the Sea," for instance, is somehow both a snaking and watery mystery. "E5150/After All (The Dead)" is equally epic and nonchalant. "I" is a show-stopping, nightmarish blues that leans toward the anthemic, while "Falling Off the Edge" is highlighted by a molten rhythm and Dio's taut vocal. This is a fine outing from a historic ensemble. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews: Read 76 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell - whatever you call it, it's awesome! August 24, 2007
58 out of 62 found this review helpful

If you're reading this review, then I likely do not need to explain the greatness of the music contained on this disc. I think it's just assumed you know about the Dio era of Black Sabbath, which is what this is all based on. If you're not a Black Sabbath fan, then you should probably stop now, as this disc will not appeal to you. On the other hand, you might find something new you like! ;)

Here's the track listing of what's on the DVD:

1) E5150/After All (The Dead)
2) The Mob Rules
3) Children of the Sea
4) Lady Evil
5) I
6) The Sign of the Southern Cross
7) Voodoo
8) The Devil Cried
9) Computer God
10) Falling off the Edge of the World
11) Shadow of the Wind
12) Die Young
13) Heaven & Hell
14) Lonely is the Word
15) Neon Knights

Again, a seriously awesome collection of tunes - if you don't know them, you will be in for a great treat. I'm not going to go down each track individually here, as that's been done better elsewhere in other reviews. This is a DVD review, so I'm trying to stick to that stuff here. A few indidivual song remarks, though: Ronnie's wail at the start of the track "The Mob Rules" is quite impressive, given his age. I have to admit to being surprised at hearing that. Also, the track "I" was not one of my favorites, but live it's a heck of a lot better and more powerful than the studio recording. The concert portion of the DVD runs one hour and fifty five minutes.

Now, the Rhino press releases are making a big deal that this was filmed in "high definition". This is **NOT** a high def release; it is a standard def DVD release. There is no high def release (in either format) forthcoming (so I'm told from Rhino). Because it was filmed in high def, this does appear to look better than most standard concert DVD's, I think.

There are four main menu selections on the DVD. "Play", "Track Selection", "Extras", and "Setup". The first two should be obvious what they are.

The setup section gives you a choice between 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround sound.

The extras section on the DVD comprises four parts, each of which are briefly detailed below.

"Radio City" - Shows off the venue itself. We're taken on a tour of the place by a Nicolette (Nicola?) Taylor, Production Stage Manager for RCMH. She does praise the union there, which I'll take a moment to point out is the same union that kept "Ear on the Wall" from appearing on the CD/DVD due to union rules. Runs 4 minutes, 6 seconds.

"Meet the Mob" - Interviews with fans outside the venue. To be kind, it's what you would expect from a thing like this when you talk to random fans. :) Might be cool if you were there, though. Runs 3 minutes, 14 seconds.

"Hail the Gods of Metal" - Background piece of the band, their legacy, the people in the band. Interviews with the guys in the band, as well as some of the stage people, and a couple of the people from the "Meet the Mob" sequence. Has some backstage footage of the band during warmups. Runs 5 minutes, 24 seconds.

"Heaven and Hell Road Movie" - The tour documentary film. The largest and the best of the "extras". How the whole project came together, how the album came together (Dio Years), and how the tour came together, etc, etc, etc. This also has a nice interview with the guy who designed the stage set for the tour. As this was recorded March 31st, there's some stuff here about the Canadian dates. This is a very nice documentary of the events of this came together, and how the tour runs. Has some candid footage of the band doing other interviews, and telling a few stories, including a moment that Tony calls a "Sabbath Tap" one. Good stuff. Runs 19 minutes, 14 seconds.

The "Road Movie" also explains the origin of the "angel" that's been used on the band's artwork for awhile. I won't tell you here, you'll have to go watch it. ;)

Given the quality of the music on this disc, and cheap price, it's an almost "must have purchase" to me. I personally could have done without the "666" motif in the logo and artwork though - seems a bit silly to me, but that's a minor quibble. I saw them in Dallas on this tour, and it was quite powerful. I'd seen them on the Dehumanizer tour 15 years ago, and it was impressive then. It's still impressive now. Grab the DVD, especially if you have a good home theatre system. This will rock it for sure. :)

Joe Siegler - Webmaster
black-sabbath.com

5 out of 5 stars

i'm stunned... August 22, 2007
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

listening to the sabbath classics after their original conception more than 2 decades ago i was being the devil's advocate and waiting for the slightest flaw in Dio's voice. my scepticism faltered gradually and blew in my face at the terrific roar opening 'the mob rules'... i 've never heard dio screaming like this in ages. such energy is not even present in the monumental 'live evil'. a live album of the highest recommendation.
bless you, Dio, and bless the almighty sabbath/heaven and hell.

5 out of 5 stars

The Return August 28, 2007
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

Ronnie James Dio DEFINES quality Heavy Metal. He was the perfect fit to join Black Sabbath after Ozzy's departure because Black Sabbath were the pioneers of quality Heavy Metal.

And indeed Black Sabbath during the Dio Years (1979-1982) made some of the best Metal songs ever. In April 2007 the band released a disk chronicling their time together The Dio Years , and launched a tour shortly after. But a few select shows kicked the tour off in March 2007 and Heaven & Hell: Live from Radio City Music Hall is a Class-A DVD recording of the 3/30/2007 performance.

The concert portion of the disk is all show, and Heaven & Hell: Live from Radio City Music Hall is recording that could be held up as an example of how to do a musical DVD correctly. There's no indulgence by some videographer that thinks a viewer wants to see effects like cut to black and white or split screen pop ups. The picture is crystal clear, and most importantly, the video doesn't jump around every 4 seconds, so you really get to see the performance in a way that feels like you have a front row seat to the concert instead of sitting there watching a DVD.

The sound is terrific. If you've got a surround system you're in for a pounding Heavy Metal experience. You get your choice of Dolby 5.1 or Dolby stereo.

Ronnie sounds great. One of the roadies in the Extras suggested that to hold up so well after all these years he must have "done a deal with the Devil"....Ha! Ya think! Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice are all on this night in late March 2007, and all of the boys clearly committed to each other to give performances that were true to the studio versions.

Talk about a tour to support a CD release, Heaven and Hell has all of the songs on 2007's The Dio Years with the exception of Turn Up The Night, TV Crimes and Ear In The Wall. But don't worry, they replace the missing with a couple of gems. On Heaven and Hell you get:

1) E5150/After All (The Dead)
2) The Mob Rules
3) Children of the Sea
4) Lady Evil
5) I
6) The Sign of the Southern Cross (not on The Dio Years)
7) Voodoo
8) The Devil Cried
9) Computer God (not on The Dio Years)
10) Falling off the Edge of the World
11) Shadow of the Wind
12) Die Young
13) Heaven & Hell
14) Lonely is the Word
15) Neon Knights

And the extras include a mini road documentary, fan clips, and (strangely, but interesting) a guided tour of Radio City Music Hall's stage bowels.

Heaven & Hell: Live from Radio City Music Hall is an absolute must for any fan of the Black Sabbath Dio era.

5 out of 5 stars

WOW! True Metal is Back!! September 10, 2007
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Are you a fan of true heavy metal? Are you a fan of Black Sabbath with the great singer frontman Ronnie James Dio? If you are, buy this historic DVD. THis was the Dio led Sabbath's first show in the USA in 15 years. It was as if they never had separated. Dio's voice at 65+ is still one of the best rock and roll and heavy metal have ever heard. He can still hit the notes,high, low and menacing. This DVD is not only entertaining, but historic. We may never see this powerful lineup again on stage after this current Heaven and Hell tour. My suggestion is buy this DVD and if you get a chance to see them, DO IT!

Butler's bass work is fantastic, Appice is a master on the drums, and Iommi is a true metal god on the guitar. He is the master of heavy metal riffs. From the menacing and plodding After All ( The Dead) to the last track, the great Neon Knights, his talent shows through. One thing I enjoyed was that Dio is a true gentleman, unlike many modern metal singers,he shakes hands with the crowd, introduces the tracks, and gives his thanks and appreciation to the crowd. He related in the "Extras" section of the DVD that the fans are everything, and his and the rest of Sabbath's performance show it. Overall a great DVD.

5 out of 5 stars

Pure class...Top notch in every way! September 15, 2007
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

All pistons were firing the night they shot this show as the band showcases their great songs from the past and present. DIO sounded fabulous and I loved how they warmed up the audience with the moody and powerful After All from Dehumanizer. When DIO unleashes his howl and they rip into Mob Rules the crowd just goes nuts. And why not? This historic band looks and sounds terrific and their stage set and lighting are brilliantly matched to the music. The second half of the show is even better than the first and Iommi just shreds on guitar. Lonely is the Word and Falling Off the Edge of the World were awesome. Geezer and Vinnie are also in fine form and perfectly in synch. We even get treated to an old fashioned drum solo from Vinnie, who still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Hats off to the director and video editor for allowing us to experience this show without cutting the action so fast. Beatifully planned out and put together. I'm 41, but felt like a teenager again jumping up after every song making the sign and howling, "YEAH!"

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