Tag Archives: Heaven & Hell

The Iron Man, Iommi, announces book signing

The iconic Black Sabbath guitarist has announced he will be signing copies of his new autobiography, ‘Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven And Hell With Black Sabbath’ (#Iseewhathedidthere), at Fopp London (U.K.) on Monday, October 17.

Entry is free but tickets are required, so check out the HMV Facebook page to find out more. Tony will only be signing copies of the book ($$$), so you’ll have to pick up a copy if you want to meet the greatest  Metal guitarist ever, and let’s face it, you do.

[Source: Metalhammer]

Tony Iommi is Metal and proud

The West Midlands of England is the Global home of Metal, with such inspirational acts as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, Napalm Death, and the best of them all, Mark from Dose of Metal, hailing from the region. Because of this, the area is celebrating its  heritage and roots through a new project called “Home Of Metal”.

“Home Of Metal – Celebrating Music From Birmingham And The Black Country” is a one-of-a-kind exhibit celebrating 40 years of heavy metal and its unique birthplace. The exhibition runs until September 25 at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in Birmingham, England. Unfortunately, it is with great disappointment that I announce that I have not been asked to be involved 🙁 Obviously my levels of awesomeness are too high.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and Heaven and Hell was recently interviewed by the BBC and had the following to say:

“Since we were so-called inventors of this music, and coming from Birmingham and all the surrounding things that are going on, it’s really great for Birmingham and it’s really great for us all,” Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi — who has been involved with the project — tells the BBC in a new podcast which can be streamed below.”

Source: Blabbermouth

Ultimate Dio collection heading your way

It wasn’t that long ago that I reviewed The Collection by Dio, which I gave a brilliant 4 and a half skulls out of 5. Don’t ask me how you can get half a skull though, I’ve never seen anyone cut a skull in half before, but I somehow managed to do it for this review. One of  the reasons I gave it half a skull shy of a full 5, however, was that I would have liked to have a full collection of all of Ronnie James Dio‘s music, and not just a collection limited to his solo material.

Lucky me then, and lucky you, because as Metal Hammer have reported, a double-disc compilation that spans the entire career of the late Ronnie James Dio has been announced for release in June. I’m literally jumping for joy, although that may also have something to do with the pube lice I’ve caught. Check out the awesome tracklisting after the jump.

Blast from the Past: Black Sabbath – Heaven and Hell

Towards the end of the 1970s, Black Sabbath were in a real turmoil. The band had been falling apart for years, with addiction consuming Ozzy and the band, and as a result of the band’s problems, the quality of the music was dramatically taking a dive. After the release of 1978’s poorly received Never Say Die, as stated by Iommi, ironically the band were actually dying. Ozzy was fired and everyone assumed the band would end.

As we all know though, the band didn’t end, and instead, with the help of Ronnie James Dio, they went on to release a new album, known as Heaven and Hell. I’m here to take an objective and honest hard look at the album and deliver to you a review on the 1980 album. How does it compare to the Ozzy albums? Read my review after the jump.

Black Sabbath’s Christmas message

Black Sabbath, or the two parts that make it, Ozzy on one side, and the three guys on the other side, have separately released their Christmas message to the followers of the band.

Speaking on behalf of Heaven & Hell and/or Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi thanked their fans:

“I want to thank you all for your brilliant support in what has been a difficult year.
I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a 2011 in which you achieve something you’re working towards.
See you at a show soon.”

Ozzy on the other hand took a more critical approach, in his weekly Sunday Times column. He is a journalist after all, right?

“All this ’10 more shopping days to go’ bullocks is such a wind-up. I ain’t exactly Mr. Holy, but what’s that got to do with Baby Jesus being born?… The faster we get to New Year’s Day 2011, the better.”

…said Ozzy, while counting the money he made from advertising iced tea.