Heaven and Hell (Part I)

“I’ve Been Higher Than Stardust, I’ve Been Seen Upon The Sun” –Black Sabbath

Certain musical notes, when played or sung in a particular pattern or order, can unlock the mysteries of the universe. Tony Iommi and Ronnie James Dio know those notes. Whether playing together in Black Sabbath, rocking out on solo projects, or playing in other bands, these Metal Gods deliver the best of the best – over and over and over again.

I don’t think people fully appreciate the contributions Tony Iommi has made, and continues to make, to guitar playing, to music in general, and to Heavy Metal in particular. Iommi has been playing music professionally for over 40 years. 40 years, and still putting out albums and touring. Amazing. His band Black Sabbath singlehandedly invented the genre of Heavy Metal. And he singlehandedly invented Heavy Metal guitar. Iommi is the Riffmaster General. His legendary riffs include some of the most recognizable in rock: ‘Iron Man’, ‘Paranoid’, ‘War Pigs’, ‘Sweet Leaf’, and ‘Snowblind’, just to name a few. Iommi has the look, the stature, and the presence of a rock star. Iommi is Heavy Metal Incarnate. He is quite simply one of the best guitar players of all time.

Ronnie James Dio possesses one of the most powerful and distinct voices in Heavy Metal. He started his career with the band Elf. Soon after he joined Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, where he played with world class musicians such as Cozy Powell (RIP) on drums and Bob Daisley on bass who later played in early Ozzy Osbourne. And of course, Ritchie Blackmore. After three terrific Rainbow albums, he got the call from Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath. Dio played on two Sabbath albums in the early 80s (Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules) and one in 1992 that was named Dehumanizer. He also has an incredible solo career that has spawned such metal classics as ‘Rainbow in the Dark’, ‘Last in Line’, ‘Holy Diver’, and a multitude of others. Ronnie has worked with some of the best guitarists in the business: Vivian Campbell, Craig Goldie, Doug Aldrich, Ritchie Blackmore, and of course the venerable Tony Iommi. And when I think about the best vocalists in Heavy Metal, Dio is in the upper echelon with Halford, Dickinson, and Osbourne. He always comes strong, never coasts, and he gives himself completely to the music. Ronnie James Dio has always stayed true to the Metal Code.

Geezer Butler and Vinnie Appice round out the Heaven and Hell line-up. Although not in the spotlight like Tony and Ronnie, these two hold the key to the rhythm and are an integral part of the equation. Geezer has written a lot of the music and lyrics for Sabbath throughout the years. His style of bass is unconventional, playing the instrument as much like a guitar as a bass, which enhances the flavor of the band. Vinnie Appice is solid. He knows when to just keep the beat and when to add the fills to keep the music rolling. Truly a formidable, powerful rhythm section.

Unlock the mysteries of the Universe?... Yeah, they’re that good.