Set for release on March 5th are two classic Ronnie James Dio-fronted Black Sabbath albums — 1980's Heaven And Hell and 1982's Mob Rules. Each record will be available digitally as a double-CD and two–LP set. Due to space constraints, both vinyl editions include a selection of bonus material from the CD's. Available now as digital singles are a rare live version of “Heaven And Hell” and a previously unreleased live version of “The Mob Rules.”
Ronnie James Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath in 1979, with Heaven And Hell earning the band rave reviews with such instant classics as “Neon Knights” and the title track. The album hit Number Nine in Britain and topped out at Number 28 in the U.S., where it was also certified platinum.
1981's Mob Rules included drummer Vinny Appice joining the band, with the album soon certified gold on the strength of such favorites as “The Sign Of The Southern Cross,” “Turn Up The Night,” and the title track.
Co-founder and guitarist Tommy Iommi spoke a while back about the respect that Sabbath earned over the years: “For a while, nobody would take us seriously. But as we went on, the more we carried on, the more we proved, the more we stayed there, y'know? And I think we got the respect from that.”