Earlier this year Bryan Clarke, on this very site, awarded Black Sabbath – The Dio Years a mark of 8/10 and argued that, “the money men have been sniffing around.” Just four short months later almost all the same songs are now available on this, “the one and only live recording of the tour.” Of course, this tour has yet to hit the UK so they will argue that it’s an appetite whetting type scenario that’s going on here. Marketing quibble aside, there is very little fault with this collection. It does exactly what the name of the band suggests; belts out the “hits” from the Iommi, Dio, Butler and Appice era of Black Sabbath which, for many years, was written out of history and appallingly wasn’t inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame at the same as the Ozzy era band was. 

The only songs that aren’t performed here from The Dio Years are Turn Up the Night, TV Crimes and Ear in the Wall which, to be fair, leaves a shed load of classics for us to enjoy – and enjoyable it is. Neon Knights is particularly fine and remains as good as anything in the whole Sabbath cannon whilst new song The Devil cried Is, as Dio tells us, “bloody good.” 

There seems to be excellent camaraderie between the four members of the band. During the opening of Heaven and Hell Dio calls Iommi “Tone” for instance and “Tone’s” playing throughout is as fluid as ever. In fact the whole band is as tight as any band could possibly expect to be after such a long time away. 

With this being a live recording certain things must be in place and, yes, the dreaded drum solo makes an appearance at the end of the first disc. As with every other drum solo I’ve ever heard, I have precisely zero desire to hear Vinny Appice’s effort ever again. I could (and have) however listened to the likes of Lady Evil, the Sign of the Southern Cross or The Mob Rules over and over again. 

Actually the same goes for the album as a whole. It’s really good but possibly superfluous in the market place so soon after the compilation. What is really required from these boys is an album of new music. Whether or not that will ever happen is open to debate but it definitely should be on the agenda, preferably before any reunion album with you know who.

Let us know your views on Live From Radio City Music Hall

Track Listing

E 5150
After All (The Dead)
Mob Rules
Children Of The Sea
Lady Evil
I
Sign Of The Southern Cross
Devil Cried
Computer God
Falling Off The Edge Of The World
Shadow Of The Wind
Die Young
Heaven And Hell
Lonely Is The Word
Neon Knights

Line Up

Ronnie James Dio - Vocals
Tony Iommi - Guitars
Geezer Butler - Bass
Vinny Appice - Drums