Compilation albums generally leave me cold. Usually drawn from a considerable number of years of an artist’s repertoire the sound quality can be frustratingly inconsistent, with styles often clashing. They are also invariably a rip off with record companies trying to cash in on the back catalogue in some way with no extra bonuses for the punter. However just occasionally there comes along a worthy comp album and this is such an example. 

Dio and Sabbath always seemed an odd alliance after the madness of Ozzy but the years have been kind. The material is taken from ‘Heaven And Hell’, ‘Mob Rules’, Live Evil’ and 1992’s ‘Dehumanizer’. Plus there are three brand new tracks: ‘The Devil Cries’, Shadow Of The Wind’ and ‘Ear In The Wall’. All of it hangs together rather nicely with the tarted up production making the transition from old to new seem amazingly smooth.  

The ‘Heaven And Hell’ tracks in particular benefit and sound bloody brilliant. It really is a classic album and the material from this era almost tips the scales and makes ‘The Dio Years’ top heavy. Especially as it is in chronological order so the likes of ‘Neon Knights’ etc. all come blistering out of the speakers first up. 

Certainly 1981’s ‘Mob Rules’ (as an album) doesn’t compare. But the tracks represented here are good enough not to let the side down. In fact it is amazing how well music recorded over a period of 27 years has blended together. The new songs are great and really worthy additions to the Sabs discography. Of course this album was released to tie in with the ‘Heaven And Hell’ tour and yes you can argue the money men have been sniffing around.  

But in all honesty this is so well screwed together, with the sound quality of the early material so nicely enhanced, that anyone looking to catch up with CD versions of their original vinyl copies (plus of course new fans of the Sabs) should definitely check it out. Collectors of course will buy it for the brand new tracks, so everyone’s a winner. 

Summing up this a worthy addition to the Sabbath catalogue and a fine tribute to a great line-up.

Let us know your views on 'The Dio Years'

Track Listing

Neon Knights
Lady Evil
Heaven And Hell
Die Young
Lonely Is The Word
The Mob Rules
Turn Up The Night
Voodoo
Falling Off The Edge
Of The World
After All (The Dead)
TV Crimes
I Listen
Children Of The Sea
The Devil Cried
Shadow Of The Wind
Ear In The Wall